Pictured: Kareem Bandealy

Lookingglass Theatre Company has announced its 2018–2019 season lineup of world premieres. The season begins with “The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomime,” conceived and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman from the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Following is “Act(s) of God” written by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. The season concludes with “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” written and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin from the book by Mary Shelley.

“We are excited about our 31st season,” comments Artistic Director Heidi Stillman. “Three new plays springing from the vivid imaginations of three brilliant Ensemble Members. This season features two of our most prolific and well-loved auteur directors, Mary Zimmerman and David Catlin, as well as a play by our recent Ensemble Member and new playwright, Kareem Bandealy. Together with our new Executive Director Rachel L. Fink, we are looking forward to starting our next 30 years with a dynamic lineup of Lookingglass originals.”

The Lookingglass 2018–2019 Season up close (from the press release):

World Premiere
“The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomime”
Conceived and Directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman
From the Story by Hans Christian Andersen
November 7, 2018–January 13, 2019

Unlock this jewel-adorned music box for the whole family!

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman (“Metamorphoses,” “Treasure Island”) fashions an extravagant and exhilarating spectacle. The unlikely adventure of a little tin soldier, brimming with love and unblinking bravery, is infused with Zimmerman’s dazzling blend of storytelling through image and movement, accompanied by live musicians. Unsuspecting travelers make unexpected discoveries in this luminous tale, destined to enchant any and all of us not made of tin.

World Premiere
“Act(s) of God”
Written by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy
Directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman
February 13–April 7, 2019

Three siblings, two parents, and one very unexpected dinner guest.

As a family gathers for an overdue dinner, a mysterious envelope arrives with astonishing news. They soon find themselves scrambling to welcome a visitor of cosmic proportion. Absurdity reigns as ancient fissures open wide, long-held certainties crumble, and sh*t gets real. Will this nuclear family explode?

World Premiere
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”
Written and Directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin
From the Book by Mary Shelley
May 8–August 4, 2019

Within every man there is a monster; within every monster, a man. But which is which?
An eerie evening of ghost stories crackles to life as Mary Shelley unspools her tale of Victor Frankenstein and his unholy experiment. This gothic tale of love, horror, and the power to create life—and destroy it—awakens in this visceral, original retelling of “Frankenstein.” Fresh from the brain of Ensemble Member David Catlin, creator of “Moby Dick” and “Lookingglass Alice” comes a galvanic adaptation of this undying story. See for yourself this latest invention come to shocking life!

For more information on Lookingglass Theatre Company’s 18/19 season visit lookingglasstheatre.org.