Cygnet Theatre’s (from left) Ro Boddie, Deanna Driscoll, David Humphrey, Christina Hewitt, and Sean Murray. Courtesy photo: Cygnet Theatre

SAN DIEGO–Cygnet Theatre launched its 16th season of entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring theatre. All eight plays explore different themes, different communities and different stories…each designed to support our mission to “startle the soul, ignite debate and embrace the diversity of the community”

The season kicks off with coconuts, killer rabbits, and flying cows in the Tony-award winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.   Billed as “lovingly ripped off from the classic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail” this tongue-in-cheeck musical has become a cult phenomenon.  Cygnet’s Artistic Director Sean Murray, who played the role of King Arthur in Moonlight Stage Production’s 2014 version, will reprise his role, as well as direct a cast of some of San Diego’s finest musical theatre talent, including Christine Hewitt and David Humphrey.

The fall promises to uplift the soul with Every Brilliant Thing, an immersive storytelling experience with humor and heart.  This San Diego premiere is a remarkable one-person show in which the audience becomes members of an ensemble that creates the evening’s story. Written by Duncan Macmillian with Johnny Donahoe, and featuring San Diego Critic’s Circle 2016 Actor of the Year Ro Boddie, it was hailed by the New York Times as possibly “the funniest show about depression you’ve ever seen…”.
Next up is Hir, a uproarious dark comedy about a household in revolt. MacArthur fellow and playwright Taylor Mac’s sly, subversive comedy features San Diego favorite Deanna Driscoll as the matriarch of the home.  In Hir, gender expectations are challenged, confronting common assumptions of the typical American family.
Still growing in popularity as a holiday tradition is A Christmas Carol, which closes out the year.  Featuring original music, creative stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
Kicking off 2019 is a roof-raising play with music, Marie and Rosetta, the story of the ‘Godmother of rock and roll’ and her protégé.  If audiences aren’t familiar with the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, they will definitely be familiar with the artists she’s influenced, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, and Ray Charles. In fact, this year she will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Face with the Early Influence award.
In the springtime we bring back our rotating rep with Tony Kushner’s masterpiece Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.  Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Play, Part 1: Millennium Approaches follows eight New Yorkers who form unlikely bonds as their city is ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Part 2: Perestroika continues their journey. Both plays will be presented in repertory, offering audiences the opportunity to experience this remarkable epic in its entirety.
The eighth and final show of the season will be announced shortly.