Producing Director Jed Bernstein announced today the exciting lineup for the 2021 Theatre Aspen summer season. The 38th season, running from June 30 – August 31, will include two musicals, Chicago and Rock of Ages, the return of the organization’s developmental one-person show festival, Solo Flights, and multiple special events, as well as three Theatre Aspen Education productions.
Additionally, the company will—for the first time ever—host a summertime Gala entitled Midsummer Masquerade which will be headlined by Emmy Award®, Golden Globe Award®, and Screen Actors Guild Award® winner, Darren Criss on Sunday, July 25.
“On behalf of the entire Theatre Aspen organization, we could not be more excited to get back to a robust slate of programming with the dynamic, fun, and all-around entertaining season we have planned for this year,” said Bernstein. “As I like to say, Aspen is the world’s most beautiful place to make art and I am forever grateful to our audiences for joining us as we embark on yet another ambitious season. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent this summer.”
Theatre Aspen’s 2021 summer season begins on the Hurst Theatre stage with the Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award®-winning musical Chicago (June 30 – July 22) by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse and John Kander, directed and choreographed by Henry Award winner Mark Martino, returning for his twelfth season, with music direction by Henry Award winner Eric Alsford, who marks his eighth season with Theatre Aspen.
The 2021 season continues with the Tony-nominated musical Rock of Ages (July 30 – August 21) by Chris D'Arienzo, directed by Tony nominee Hunter Foster, in his fourth consecutive summer at Theatre Aspen and choreographed by Abbey O’Brien (Waitress; Jagged Little Pill), who returns after stints as director and choreographer of the 2019 Theatre Aspen Holiday and Summer 2020 Cabaret Series. Eric Alsford again serves as Music Director.
This year’s Solo Flights festival of one-person shows returns August 25 – 31. More information about the Solo Flights performance schedule, as well as titles and casting will be announced shortly.
Both 2021 main stage shows will have scenic design by David Arsenault, returning for his second season and costume design by Gail Baldoni who makes her debut with Theatre Aspen this summer; Chicago will have lighting design by Gifford Williams and Rock of Ages will have lighting design by Travis McHale, who also make their Theatre Aspen design debuts. Additional creative team members and casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2021 summer season will also include several special events, kicking off with the annual Season Sneak Peek on Sunday, June 20 at 6:30 PM at the Hurst Theatre and the ever-popular Theatre Aspen Summer Cabaret Series, which returns for its third season of dinner and performances (July 11, August 8 & 9, August 15) at various restaurants and venues around Aspen, directed by Abbey O’Brien.
In addition to the main stage season, and in another first for the company, Theatre Aspen Education will present three summertime productions this year: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – the first ever TA Education Shakespeare production – in the John Denver Sanctuary (July 8 - 10) along with Willy Wonka, Jr. (July 29 - 31) and Peter and the Starcatcher (August 5 - 8) at The District Theater.
