Atlanta’s fall theater calendar is filled with classic dramas, world premieres by Atlanta authors (Robert Earl Price, Janece Shaffer and Calvin Alexander Ramsey) and ambitious Broadway musicals. A glimpse of shows to come:
“On Golden Pond”: In 1982, Theatre in the Square opened its doors with a play that had just been made into a film starring Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn; now, in a full-circle moment, “On Golden Pond” launches the Marietta theater’s 30th season. Through Sept. 11. theatreinthesquare.com
“The Green Book”: Inspired by the book that guided African-American travelers to safe lodging during the Jim Crow era, Ramsey portrays a family boarding over in a private Missouri home one momentous night in 1953. Through Sept. 11. theatricaloutfit.org
“The Ugly Duckling”: Atlanta puppeteer Michael Haverty stages his telling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, with music by Atlanta composer Klimchak, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Through Sept. 18. puppet.org
“Spring Awakening”: Steven Slater and Duncan Sheik’s rock version of the classic Frank Wedekind drama won the 2007 Tony Award for best musical and kicks off Actor’s Express’ 2011-12 season. Aug. 25-Oct. 1. actors-express.com
“Into the Woods”: Alliance Theatre artistic director Susan V. Booth opens her 10th season with Stephen Sondheim’s musical interpretation of “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella” and other fairy tales for adults. Aug. 31-Nov. 2. www. alliancetheatre.org
“Bachelorette”: Newcomer Pinch ‘N’ Ouch Theatre stages Leslye Headland’s dark urban comedy about eating and addiction. Aug. 31-Sept. 18. www.pnotheatre.org
“Panhandle Slim & the Oklahoma Kid”: Roswell’s Georgia Ensemble Theatre stages film star Jeff Daniels’ Wild West comedy — a prairie showdown with scoundrels, songs and a horse named Buttermilk. Sept. 1-18. www.get.org
“Wicked”: The story of boarding school chums Glinda and Elphaba and the man they fought for, this “Wizard of Oz” back story has had enormous staying power on Broadway and on tour. It returns for its third visit to the Fox Theatre. Sept. 14-Oct. 9. www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/atlanta/
“All Blues”: 7 Stages presents the world premiere of Price’s story about Ray Sprigle, the white Pittsburgh journalist who disguised himself as a black man during the Jim Crow era. Sept. 22-Oct. 9. 7stages.org
“Broke”: On the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage, Atlanta playwright Shaffer’s new comedy asks the question: What do you do when you own a $100 corkscrew but can’t pay your mortgage? Sept. 23-Oct. 23. alliancetheatre.org
“In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)”: Synchronicity Theatre unveils Sarah Ruhl’s study of a troubled marriage in 1880s America. Sept. 29-Oct. 30. synchrotheatre.com
“The Glass Menagerie”: Richard Garner directs Tennessee Williams’ classic starring Mary Lynn Owen as the overweening Amanda Wingfield and Bethany Ann Lind as her fragile daughter, Laura. Oct. 6-30. gashakespeare.org
“Gray Area”: Lawrence-ville’s Aurora Theatre presents John Ahlin’s comedy about a theater critic who takes a swipe at a Civil War re-enactment, enraging a trio of good ol’ boys. Oct. 6-30. www.auroratheatre.com
“Golda’s Balcony”: Broadway star Tovah Feldshuh channels the spirit of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir with uncanny precision — reprising her signature, Tony Award-nominated solo show. Oct. 12-30. www.alliancetheatre.org
“The Ghastly Dreadfuls”: The Center for Puppetry Arts’ Jon Ludwig and Jason von Hinezmeyer have turned their tingly Victorian cabaret for adults into a Halloween serial. Oct. 13-29. puppet.org
About the Author