Two New Plays from the Gatehouse Theater Company
If you’ve looked through some of the past articles on this blog, then you will no doubt be familiar with the fact that we like to highlight some of the unusual and exciting things happening in the world of theater in and around San Francisco. Today we will return to that sphere with a look at the summer schedule for the renowned Gatehouse Theater Company, which performs out of the beautiful Cowell Theater located at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.
Two plays in particular are worth noting during this year’s summer schedule. Both are original, but also based off of pre-existing cultural touchstones. The first, which takes as its source material the 1989 cult classic Heathers, will bring this classic and bloody satire of high school life to the stage between July 5th and July 14th for a mildly shocking and wildly entertaining return to the world of the three Heathers. Known for their aching beauty as well as their cruelty, the story begins when this trio is joined by a Veronica who quickly discovers a darker underside to the town of Teflon, Ohio. Will the newly formed quartet manage to stick together or will they succumb to the dastardly plans of JD? There’s only one way to find out (unless you’ve seen the movie and already know, but don’t be “that guy” and spoil it for everyone else)!
The second play is based off of the nearly inescapable theater masterpiece The Seagull by Anton Chekhov. While numerous versions of this Russian classic have been staged all around the world, this new version, written by Aaron Posner, truly reinvents the story by transporting it from late 19th century Russia into contemporary LA where a young actress and an aging film star grapple with their lives as well as their shared love for a writer. Steeped in bitterness, melancholy, and irreverent humor, Posner’s rendition will thrill both lovers of classic theater as well as those looking for something a little raunchier from their trips to the theater.