The Wilma Theater is set to engage audiences with a dynamic new season, featuring its first-ever all-ages production alongside a return of a popular dance-theater cabaret show and back-to-back plays from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights.
This season promises more opportunities for attendees to witness the development of works from the page to the stage through limited presentations, highlighting the theater’s commitment to adventurous and daring productions.
Wilma Co-Artistic Director Lindsay Smiling emphasizes the theater’s mission in this upcoming season: “This upcoming season, we wanted to embrace the work that we’ve been doing over the past 45 years — adventurous, risky work. We’re taking a look at the climate of where the country is, wanting to double down on that and doing theater that is brave.”
Kicking off the season on November 11 with ‘The Snow Queen,’ this all-ages production tells a heartwarming tale about love and friendship. Smiling describes the show as a narrative that pushes back against societal divisions, celebrating community and connection.
Director Yury Urnov, known for his imaginative approach, will take on this inaugural production designed for all ages, inviting families to experience the magic of the story together.
Next on the lineup is a return of ‘Poor Judge,’ a dance-theater cabaret co-produced with Pig Iron. This show features Aimee Mann’s musicals, driven by the creative vision of Dito van Reigersberg, who brings a mix of musical acts to life in an engaging and seductive format. According to Smiling, this evening of musical exploration is an inviting celebration of Mann’s work.
Following this, the Wilma will present ‘The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Miz Martha Washington,’ a spicy satire by Philadelphia’s James Ijames, who won a Pulitzer Prize for Fat Ham. This thought-provoking play confronts topics such as race, power, and historical memory through a lens of humor and critique.
Smiling notes the significance of this show, which will feature the HotHouse Acting Company. He highlights the play’s intent to challenge the narrow perspectives often presented in historical narratives, particularly regarding the legacy of slavery in the United States.
The season continues with ‘The America Play,’ by Suzan-Lori Parks, another Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright. Smiling will direct this exploration of the American dream from the vantage point of the African American community, unpacking the ideals surrounding figures like Abraham Lincoln within the broader historical context of the country.
Audiences will also have the opportunity to engage with the developmental process at the Wilma through a piece co-conceived by Milo Kramer and Morgan Green called ‘Jury Duty.’ This innovative work incorporates verbatim transcripts, personal testimonies, and media design by projection designer Ray Sun to create an engaging courtroom experience that interrogates concepts of justice and civic duty.
In addition, the Wilma is planning a workshop production of ‘Animal Farm,’ by George Orwell. This adaptation will be explored through the HotHouse perspective, encouraging the company’s actors to bring fresh interpretations to the iconic narrative.
Lastly, Smiling expresses interest in a new piece titled ‘Horse Girl and Cow Daddy,’ which delves into the life of a trans woman in rural Pennsylvania. This work is set to investigate the narratives surrounding urban and rural dynamics, analyzing perceptions of community and identity from various perspectives.
With such a diverse and impactful lineup, the Wilma Theater is poised to captivate audiences and challenge their perspectives throughout the upcoming season.
image source from：metrophiladelphia
