Cynthia Collins figures the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s 2020-21 season has the right combination.
“It’s just the right amount of humor and thought-provoking material,” said Collins, an ATI co-founder with Judy Fitzgerald and Don Farrell.
The season, which was announced on ATI’s Facebook page May 12, opens with “Always … Patsy Cline” from Sept. 4 to 27, which ATI presented in 2013. The ATI shows are typically held in The Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Fitzgerald will reprise her role as Cline and Collins as Louise Seger, a devoted fan.
“In general, a remount is a bit easier if the same cast returns, which it is,” Collins said. “It just happens to be on the heels of the pandemic. We picked to remount the show because of its popularity the last time we presented it. It’s a small-cast show with a big presence. Patsy Cline was a huge talent and this show packs a wallop with all her hits.”
Farrell said the show was selected in part because it is a smaller show and keep costs low.
“It is added fortuitous that it will help us ease into our season with the pandemic going on,” he said.
In addition, ATI will present “Lombardi” and “The Big Bang” for the first time.
“Lombardi” is a play based on the life of the late Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, which had its Broadway debut in October 2010. Collins said ATI has wanted to present the six-person play for a few years. It runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 22.
“We have shows on the back burner every season,” Collins said. “Just like Patsy Cline, Vince Lombardi was a huge presence. We hope the play will appeal to people across the board, younger and older, athletes and artists.”
Collins and Farrell described “The Big Bang” as hilarious and a perfect show for the third slot. The comedy runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 21, 2021.
“‘The Big Bang’ is a hysterical hit that ran off Broadway and will tickle the funny bone of any theater lover with this zany, off-the-wall musical comedy,” Farrell said. “If our patrons loved our past productions of ‘The 39 Steps’ or ‘Murder for Two,’ they will love ‘The Big Bang.’”
“Damn Yankees” had been slated to close the 2019-20 season with a four-week run, starting April 24, before the pandemic closed the Center for the Performing Arts. It again is scheduled to close the season from April 30 to May 23, 2021.
“I am glad we will be able to present this classic piece of musical theatre,” said Collins, who plays Lola in the musical.
The entire cast has been invited back. Fitzgerald plays Meg Boyd and Farrell is cast as Mr. Applegate.
“We do anticipate most of our same production and artistic team and cast to be joining us for our rescheduled production,” Farrell said.
For more, visit atistage.org.
