American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), Magic Theatre, and Marin Theatre Company (MTC) are selling trilogy packages for Tarell Alvin McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays for a limited time only through August 31. Trilogy packages—available for only $135 (a savings of up to $47)—guarantee you seats for all three plays (In the Red and Brown Water at MTC, The Brothers Size at Magic Theatre, and Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet at A.C.T.).
The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy promises to be one of the most unique theatrical experiences in recent Bay Area history. For more information and to purchase trilogy packages, please visit brothersisterplays or call 415.749.2228 (A.C.T. Ticket Services).
MTC presents Part I, In the Red and Brown Water, directed by MTC Producing Director Ryan Rilette (boom and Magic Forest Farm at MTC), September 9 through October 3. Magic Theatre simultaneously presents Part II, The Brothers Size, directed by acclaimed local playwright and director Octavio Solis (Lydia at MTC, Pastures of Heaven at California Shakespeare Theater), September 9 through October 17. Then A.C.T. presents Part III, Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet, directed by award-winning A.C.T. Associate Artistic Director Mark Rucker (A.C.T.’s The Rainmaker and the film Die, Mommy, Die!), October 29 through November 21.
After conquering New York, Chicago, and London, McCraney’s acclaimed trilogy explodes into the Bay Area in a thrilling new format. Through the unprecedented partnership of three leading theater companies, this is the first time that the plays will be presented in tandem at three different theaters—creating a theatrical synergy that will propel these seismic works to even greater dramatic heights. This epic event beautifully traces the dreams and defeats of an intergenerational, otherworldly community of African Americans clinging fiercely to life in Louisiana’s lush, mysterious, and threatening bayou country. Grand and universal in scope, yet intimate and heartfelt, McCraney’s plays explore connections among identity, family, and sexuality in provocative and poetic ways.
Tarell Alvin McCraney’s plays include Wig Out! (Sundance Theatre Lab, Vineyard Theatre, and the Royal Court Theatre) and The Brother/Sister Plays: In the Red and Brown Water (Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition; premiered at the Alliance Theatre), The Brothers Size (premiered at The Public Theater in association with the Foundry Theatre and in London at the Young Vic), and Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet (premiered in a coproduction by McCarter Theatre Center and The Public Theater). Other productions of The Brother/Sister Plays include those by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and The Studio Theatre, among others. McCraney’s other plays include Without/Sin; Run, Mourner, Run; and The Breach, written with Catherine Filloux and Joe Sutton (commissioned and premiered by Southern Repertory Theater in New Orleans).
McCraney is currently under commission by Manhattan Theatre Club, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse, Steppenwolf, and McCarter and is a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble, New Dramatists, and Teo Castellanos/D-Projects in Miami. He is the international writer in residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his commissioned play American Trade will premiere in 2011. He was nominated for London’s Olivier Award for The Brothers Size and has received the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, a 2009 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Play, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Whiting Award, the first Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, the inaugural New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, and a Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University.
McCraney attended the New World School of the Arts High School in Miami, Florida, receiving the exemplary artist award and the Dean’s Award in Theatre. He holds a B.F.A. in acting from DePaul University and an M.F.A. in playwriting from Yale School of Drama.
The world premiere of The Brother/Sister Plays was produced by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director, and Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director) and McCarter Theatre Center (Emily Mann, Artistic Director, and Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director).