Welcome to the Shotgun Players’ 30th Anniversary Season!
The Shotgun Players are proud to celebrate thirty years as an organization! Join us for a joyous and triumphant return to the newly renovated Ashby Stage with five exciting plays, including the West Coast premiere of the two-time Tony Award-winning Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812! Your subscription covers the upfront costs to make our ambitious 30th Anniversary Season happen!
Special thanks to our ACCESS FOR ALL SPONSORS who stepped up to support our new accessibility options this season, including audio description and haptic tours: Anonymous, Craig & Kathy Moody, Jon Wagner & Lynne Hollingsworth; Elizabeth Werter & Henry Trevor
March 5 - April 10, 2022
Book and Lyrics by Stew | Music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald | Created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen
Directed by William Hodgson | Music Direction by Daniel Alley
A young bohemian charts a course for “the real” through sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, this show takes us from Black middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity. Winner, Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical! In person, with video on demand option
Show sponsors: Joe Kane; Russell Nelson; Michael & Gretchen Schnitzer; Jon Wagner & Lynne Hollingsworth
Love is more than real.
May 14 - June 12, 2022
Written by Adam Bock | Directed by Mary Ann Rodgers
As Emily Bridges loses her ground in the sensory world, she rediscovers a sensual connection with her husband, igniting a small fire that helps her find her way through the darkness. Join Shotgun Players for Obie Award-winner Adam Bock’s meticulous coming of middle age story about one woman’s journey back to herself. In person, with video on demand option
Show sponsors: Susan Taylor & Bob Fabry; Richard & Kate West; Tamara White
Acceptance… Determination… Awakening
July 9 - August 7, 2022
Written by Eliana Pipes | Directed by Karina Gutiérrez
Two Latinx sisters land the opportunity to remodel and sell their historic family home on a popular reality television show, but their dream quickly transforms into something else. Dream Hou$e is a dark comedy with a twist that explores gentrification, family, and the bonds of sisterhood. In person, with streaming and video on demand options
Show sponsor: Pepi Ross
Mystery… Opportunity… Togetherness
Sep. 3 - Oct. 2, 2022
Written by Anna Ouyang Moench | Directed by Michelle Talgarow
Inspired by a real life incident at a Christian mission in Southeast Asia, this play delves into the lives of four young women faced with a choice. A funny feminist thriller about that moment when girls realize the male gaze has been watching all along - and decide they are definitely gonna do something about it. In person, with streaming and video on demand options
Show sponsors: Al Hoffman & David Shepherd; Russell Nelson; Patricia & Merrill Shanks
Betrayal… Courage… Kung Fu
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
Nov. 5 - Dec. 30, 2022
Written by Dave Malloy
Directed by Patrick Dooley & Erin Mei-Ling Stuart | Musical Direction by Daniel Alley
Based upon a section of Tolstoy's War and Peace, this musical extravaganza follows the story of Natasha, a young woman who arrives in Moscow longing for her fiance; and Pierre, a middle aged man full of regrets. Expect to find the Ashby Stage transformed with cabaret tables, Russian vodka, and an unforgettable theatrical experience. Nominated for twelve Tony awards! In person, with streaming options within the state of California
Show sponsors: Kitty Bosher; Naomi Janowitz & Andrew Lazarus; Jason Marks; Mindful Money; Les & Sue Polgar, Ragesh Tangri & Daralyn Durie
War and peace… and the passion within!
CHAMPAGNE STAGED READING SERIES
Far from your average staged reading, we give our actors just enough blocking, light and sound design to get started and then we let adrenaline do the rest! Yes, there will be scripts in hands, but there will also be bold action and riveting drama.
Series sponsors: Anonymous, Mark Chaitkin & Cecilia Storr; Les & Sue Polgar; Stanley & Miriam Schiffman
My H8 Letter to the GR8 American Theatre
Feb. 17 - 20, 2022
Written by Diana Oh | Directed by May Liang
A brutally candid, painful, and bitingly funny play about transparency, honesty, and repairing centuries of damage done in the American theatre industry. Oh’s play embraces the power of naming and celebrates truth on a journey toward building a balanced relationship that is no longer oppressive, silencing, and damaging. In person with streaming options
Mar. 28 & 29, 2022
Written by Madison Wetzell | Directed by Ciera Eis
This comedy, a modern Les Misérables, follows a well-meaning AI robot, who accidentally provides four seemingly harmless office objects with consciousness. As they gain awareness and develop their own personalities, they begin to question their status as subordinates to the human race, and eventually try to escape the office to start the robot uprising before the young human creator of the AI, Allyson, finds them and turns them off forever. In person with streaming options
Sep. 19 & 20, 2022
Written by Lisa VillaMil | Directed by Cathleen Riddley
A moving play about loss, family, and forgiveness, Siren explores one family’s journey through grief. Filled with beautiful images of the sea and allusions to The Odyssey, the play is about running away, and guiding each other home. In person with streaming options
