The year is 1619, three years since the death of William Shakespeare. His closest friends are struck with the epiphany that most of his plays exist only in the fragile memories of aging actors. Hence they become passionately determined to immortalize his work in what is to become the first printed collection of his plays. Lauren Gundersen’s love letter to The Bard and the world of theatre, revels in a comically outlandish but true story of love, loss, and laughter.

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The Book of Will

A Noise Within Theatre

Set in a South American prison cell in a country under authoritarian rule, two polar opposites discover that love may spring in the most unlikely of places. Poignant and chilling, funny and sensual, Manuel Puig’s pinnacle creation runs the thrilling gamut of fantasy, danger and finally—eternal hope.

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Sworn to a life solo, Beatrice and Benedict are each determined to evade Cupid’s quiver of arrows, employing against one another rapier wit to defend against what everyone else already knows—that they are hopelessly, desperately in love! Romp, romance, and potential catastrophe collide in William Shakespeare’s fast-moving and irresistibly hilarious comedy.

Much Ado About Nothing

ANW’s delightfully festive, musically merry holiday tradition returns with celebrated new music by resident artist Robert Oriol! Families love the inspirational story of Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge—the perfect burst of boundless good cheer for the season and beyond!

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

ANW’s exploration of Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s American Century Cycle jumps from its first play (Gem of the Ocean, produced by ANW as part of our 2019 season) to its last, as a Black mayoral candidate on the verge of the business breakthrough of a lifetime must choose between his integrity and a revered historical site. With humor and courage Radio Golf challenges the steep price “progress” can exact upon the soul.

Radio Golf

Revolt is afoot at Manor Farm, when downtrodden beasts of burden rise-up against the cruel Farmer Jones, who cracks his whip for the last time. But self-ruled animal utopia quickly gives way to the temptations of power and privilege in Peter Hall’s fast-moving musical adaptation of George Orwell’s savage satire.

Animal Farm

TheatreWorkers Project provides opportunities for reentering and incarcerated individuals to redefine and reframe their personal narratives through theatre, movement, and writing. Inspired by the words of Octavia E. Butler, TheatreWorkers Project will collaborate with formerly incarcerated residents living at The Francisco Homes to develop an original theatre piece based on the participants’ poetry and prose. The culminating piece will be performed by the participants and followed by a Second Act discussion with the audience.

PHOENIX: Stories from the Inside/Out

Experience a retelling of classic Greek tragedies through the lens of Towne Street Theatre, Los Angeles’ premiere African-American Theatre Company. This production of short plays explores drama, humor, love, and loss spanning from the Civil War to modern-day America. Experience engaging, complex, and rich stories showcasing diverse and brave voices.

External Forces: Greek Tragedy travels to the 21st Century

Primal storytelling and modern sensibility collide in a sensual re-envisioning of Greek myths, as gods and mortals alike endure love, loss, and transformation—all while immersed in a pool of water on stage. Swirling with passion, Tony Award® winner Mary Zimmerman (author of ANW’s award-winning Argonautika) creates this masterpiece that mesmerizes with tales of Midas, Orpheus, Aphrodite, and more in a whimsical and heartbreaking meditation on the joys and perils of being human.

Metamorphoses

What’s a woman to do with a runaway groom? Hatch a scheme, of course. Roping in a fantastic cast of fools, romantics, and cynics, the clever Helen pursues Bertram in a clash of wits and deception. Capturing both a fairytale essence and human complexity, Shakespeare’s bittersweet comedy goes on a journey of forgiveness, hope, and love where you least expect it.

A Noise Within

May 7 - Jun 4, 2023

The Book of Will

Mar 26 - Apr 23, 2023

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Feb 5 - Mar 12, 2023

Much Ado About Nothing

3 - 23 Dec, 2022

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Oct 16 - Nov 13, 2022

Radio Golf

A Noise Within

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