Press Releases

Lowell, MA – This holiday season, Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents the world premiere of the one-of-a-kind Christmas Red Sox play “Going to See the Kid.” This latest offering from playwright Steven Drukman centers around two Boston Globe reporters on a journey to meet legendary ballplayer Ted Williams in 2001. With great humor and affection, “Going to See the Kid” takes a fresh look at a beloved Boston icon—and is filled with  holiday spirit to boot. MRT Director of New Play Development Alexander Greenfield directs.

Lowell, MA – This fall Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents the regional premiere of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s "Abigail/1702", the haunting play that asks what might have happened ten years after the Salem witch trials. At the center of the story is Abigail Williams, the young accuser of 1692’s Salem Village, as she tries to begin a new life after the hysteria has subsided—yet remains haunted at every turn by terrors of the past. Tlaloc Rivas directs.

Lowell, MA – Just in time for the general election, Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) offers  offers a one-of-a-kind take on the epic sweep of American history with “45 Plays for 45 Presidents." In just two hours, through nearly every theatrical device imaginable, we see the highs and lows our country has hit over decades and centuries. With each commander-in-chief in the spotlight for two minutes, we experience not only their lives, but the distinctive American eras in which they served. And ultimately, we appreciate that our nation’s story is one that we all have written—and continue to write—every time we vote.

Lowell, MA – Non-subscription tickets go on sale next week for each of the seven shows in Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2016-17 Season with a week-long sale. Ticket buyers can save $16.17 on tickets during the first week they are available. The seven-play 2016-17 Season is highlighted by laughter and local stories. Artistic director Sean Daniels carefully selected a lineup that includes four world premieres and three plays centered on New England themes.

Lowell, MA – Circle Health, a Merrimack Valley-based health care system anchored by Lowell General Hospital, has committed to supporting Merrimack Repertory Theatre as its 2016-17 Season sponsor.

Lowell, MA – As the inaugural season of Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Patriot Program approaches its end, artistic director Sean Daniels has announced the addition of 14 new theatre artists to the company’s network of collaborators. The new class of Patriots includes a mix of local and national artists who can now count MRT as one of their theatrical homes.

 
Lowell, MA – Merrimack Repertory Theatre will be participating in a nationwide observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) with a reading of “2.5 Minute Ride” by Lisa Kron on Monday, May 2 at 7:30 pm. MRT’s reading is one of many occurring around the country as part of the National Jewish Theatre Foundation’s Remembrance Readings. The reading will be performed by Veronika Duerr and directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. This reading, which will be followed by a post-show discussion, is supported in part by the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation.

Lowell, MA – Former artistic leader of Merrimack Repertory Theatre Daniel Schay, 63, passed away yesterday, April 7. Schay was the Producing Director of MRT from 1982 through 1989. At the time of his death, Schay was the Executive Director of Theater Works in Peoria, AZ. In honor of Schay’s work with MRT, the company will be dedicating their production of “Home of the Brave” to Schay.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre will close out its season in spectacular fashion with the world premiere of Lila Rose Kaplan’s farce “Home of the Brave.” The hilarious play follows senator Bernadette Spence (played by Boston favorite Karen MacDonald) as she desperately works to persuade her family to support her run for the Presidency. Loosely inspired by Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” “Home of the Brave” is an old-fashioned comedy for new-fashioned times, wholeheartedly embracing sheer absurdity, shameless fun, and actors running/climbing/sliding all over the place. Maybe dressed as ninjas. Or in their underwear. Yet at its core, “Home of the Brave” remains a big-hearted love letter to the American family. MRT’s Artistic Director Sean Daniels directs.

This spring, Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will celebrate one of its most successful seasons and look ahead to the future at its annual fundraising event, the 2016 Set the Stage Celebration. The evening will feature musical performances by Benjamin Scheuer, whose performance of The Lion kicked off Sean Daniels’ inaugural year as MRT’s artistic director and broke several box office records. Scheuer will perform a mix of songs from The Lion and others previously unheard by MRT audiences. Joining Scheuer will be Charissa Bertels, whose one-woman musical, My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend, was recently announced as the closing production of MRT’s 2016-17 Season. Bertels is currently on the national tour of the Broadway musical If/Then.