When Timothy Bond became the producing artistic director of Syracuse Stage, he knew he wanted his first season on the job to reach out to the immigrant and minority communities of Central New York. He then thought of hosting ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘Crowns,’ to appeal to black audiences.

He didn’t intend to have a theme for next year’s shows; it just worked out that way. But as Bond prepares to be the fourth artistic leader in the 35-year history of Syracuse Stage, he’s relishing the unplanned link between the eight shows on the docket for next year.

‘It coincidentally has strong themes around the idea of dreams,’ Bond said. ‘Dreams denied, dreams deferred, dreams achieved and the courage many of the characters in these plays to dare to dream.’

The fall season begins on Sep. 9 with ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’ Next year will feature an original world premiere production called, ‘Don’t Look Back: Stories from the Salt City’ and a collaborative production with Syracuse University’s drama department for ‘Godspell.’

‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

Sep. 9-Oct. 4, 2008

This play comes from August Wilson’s seminal 10-play cycle that chronicled the 20th century experience of African-Americans. The show focuses on Ma Rainey, one of the first-ever blues singers and the struggles of her band trying to record an album despite pressure from prejudiced white producers.

‘Don’t Look Back: Stories from the Salt City’

Oct. 14-Nov. 2, 2008

Playwright and director Ping Chong worked with Bond on an original show in Seattle, and they come together again this fall to produce another original show about the different ethnic communities historically in Syracuse.

Currently, Chong and Bond are searching for average Syracuse residents with greater-than-average stories, who will be put on stage and used in the show.

‘We want to know how people came to Syracuse, what their dreams were in coming,’ Bond said. ‘We want to know if they are refugees or if their great-grandparents came from Ireland. We want to show commonalities of their stories in their hopes and dreams.’

‘Godspell’

Nov. 25-Dec. 28, 2008

Based on the Gospel of Matthew, ‘Godspell’ is a musical that presents a series of parables, set to modern music interspersed with lyrics from traditional hymns.

Director Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is working on a multimedia world music program to contemporize the popular musical and incorporate more world cultures for this collaborative project between Syracuse Stage and SU Drama. A few students from SU will be featured in ‘Godspell,’ both onstage and off.

‘It transcends religion and deals with great stories and great ideas about loving your neighbor and about learning from other people,’ Bond said. ‘We want to let the audience go on a tour around the globe and wind up in Syracuse again after the show.’

‘The Santaland Diaries’

Dec. 2, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009

Based on humorist David Sedaris’ essay, ‘Santaland Diaries,’ this one-man, one-act show will run in the Storch Theatr while ‘Godspell’ plays the Archbold Theatre. The show is about Sedaris’ true experience working as an elf in Macy’s department store during the Christmas season. The show debuted in New York in November 1996.

‘Souvenir’

Jan. 27-Feb. 15, 2009

This two-character play showcases the musical career of Florence Foster Jenkins, a famous opera singer who famously had no sense of pitch or key. With her mediocre pianist, Cosme McMoon, Jenkins went out to earn a cult following, culminating with a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in 1944. Everyone knew she couldn’t sing, but nobody dared to tell her.

‘Up’

Feb. 25-March 15, 2009

Walter Griffin wanted to make his lawn chair fly, so he strapped it to 42 weather balloons and watched it fly 16,000 feet into the air. Young playwright Bridget Carpenter showcases that dreams can come true in this show, while trying to answer the question, ‘Why do people need to try the impossible?’

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’

March 31-May 3, 2009

It’s one of the most famous books of the 20th century: A young girl writing about her experiences hiding during the Holocaust in a house in Amsterdam. The play is based on her revealing diary and information from additional survivor accounts and hopes to give audiences a better understanding of the real Anne Frank.

‘Crowns’

May 13-June 7, 2009

A group of church-going ladies from the South tell a series of funny and powerful stories all set to a singing choir in ‘Crowns.’ It includes gospel, freedom singing and hip hop.

‘This is an important celebration and exploration of African-American history and culture,’ Bond said. ‘Anyone who loves jazz, blues, gospel, spiritual, freedom songs or hip hop are going to find something in this play that will move them.’

jediamon@syr.edu

Published on April 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm