2021/22 Subscriptions

Well-behaved Princesses Rarely Make History

Inspired by Music Performed and Recorded by Britney Spears
Written by Jon Hartmere
Creative Team: Keone and Mari Madrid

Sidney Harman Hall | NOV 30, 2021–JAN 2, 2022

In this highly anticipated world premiere Broadway-bound musical, beloved classic fairytale princesses gather for their fortnightly book club, longing for a new story. When a rogue fairy godmother drops The Feminine Mystique into their corseted laps, it spurs a royal revelation: there is more to life than bird-made dresses and true love’s kiss! Powered by the chart-topping anthems of the Princess of Pop herself, Britney Spears—including “Oops!… I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” “Stronger,” and “Toxic”—Once Upon a One More Time sends audiences on a heartwarming and uproarious musical adventure about smashing the glass slipper and reclaiming your own happily ever after.

Lead corporate sponsorship support for Once Upon a One More Time is generously provided by CoStar Group. Lead individual sponsorship support for Once Upon a One More Time is generously provided by Michael Paese.

The Quality of Mercy

By William Shakespeare
A Co-Production with Theatre for a New Audience
Directed by Arin Arbus

Michael R. Klein Theatre at the Lansburgh | MAR 22–APR 17, 2022

In a city steeped in the ills of antisemitism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia, Shakespeare’s incendiary play exposes the fissures between fairness, accountability, and justice—and who profits from them. Tony Award nominee John Douglas Thompson (Jitney, Mare of Easttown), “one of the most compelling classical stage actors of his generation” (The New York Times), makes his STC debut as the enigmatic Shylock in this searing portrayal of society’s prejudices and the elusive nature of mercy.

The Merchant of Venice is generously sponsored by KPMG LLP, Stephen and Toni Allis, Michael Beriss and Jean Carlson, and Kathy Rondon.

The Merchant of Venice is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Does Any Human Realize Life While They Live It?

By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Alan Paul

Sidney Harman Hall | MAY 12–JUNE 11, 2022

Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town continues to leave audiences awestruck with wonder and a shared sense of our humanity. Guided by an amiable stage manager, the theatre becomes turn-of-the-century Grover’s Corners, where the occurrences of everyday life reveal universal truths about community and love, life and death. “A hauntingly beautiful play” (The New York Times), Our Town is both deeply allegorical and endlessly captivating. Directed by STC’s Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul (Camelot), Our Town will celebrate the artists who call the DMV-area home.

Our Town is generously sponsored by Share Fund, Anita M. Antenucci, Bonnie and Louis Cohen, John and Meg Hauge, and John and Meg Hauge.

Retracing a Revolutionary Life

By Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by Jade King Carroll

Michael R. Klein Theatre at the Lansburgh | JUN 16 –JUL 17, 2022

London’s Theatre Royal, 1833. Theatre history is made when Ira Aldridge becomes the first Black actor to take the stage as Shakespeare’s Othello. As a bill promoting the abolition of slavery sends shockwaves through Parliament, how will London react to Aldridge’s groundbreaking performance? Director Jade King Carroll makes her STC debut with Lolita Chakrabarti’s “gripping, intelligent, and passionate” (The Financial Times) Red Velvet, celebrating a pioneering actor who triumphed in his art despite a tempest of social injustice.

Red Velvet is generously sponsored by Jean and David Grier and M Powered Strategies, Inc and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

BREAKING: W. Shakes’ Original Rom-Com Reimagined

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Simon Godwin

Sidney Harman Hall | POSTPONED TO NEXT SEASON

The course of true love never did run smooth, especially when the ON AIR sign is lit. Shakespeare’s cherished romantic comedy lands in a cable newsroom, where sparring co-anchors Benedick and Beatrice trade barbs behind the news desk. Helmed by Artistic Director Simon Godwin (PBS’ Romeo & Juliet), “one of the most insightful and sensitive directors of Shakespeare today” (WhatsOnStage), Much Ado About Nothing is the perfect blend of sparkling screwball comedy and romance.

Much Ado About Nothing is generously sponsored by Carol and Landon Butler, Dr. Mark Epstein and Amoretta Hoeber, Emily A. Lenzner, and Mark Tushnet and Elizabeth Alexander.

Much Ado About Nothing is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

1. What does it mean to be an STC subscriber?

Instead of buying and seeing just one show, STC subscribers reserve seats for 3, 4 or 5 shows in the season. Subscribers enjoy benefits not available to single-ticket holders, and the more shows you see, the lower the tickets cost.

2. What are the benefits of being a subscriber?

There are many! Free ticket exchanges, advance access to special events, free access to Shakespeare Hour Live, plus discounts on STC merchandise, extra tickets, and more! Scroll down for a list of subscriber benefits.

3. Where do your shows take place?

STC has two theatres located about two blocks away from each other in Penn Quarter: Sidney Harman Hall is at 610 F Street NW across the street from Capital One Arena; The Michael R. Klein Theatre at the Lansburgh is at 450 7^th Street NW next door to Jaleo.

4. How do the seating zones in your theatres vary?

Labeled A, B, C, and D, seating zones are based on their proximity to the stage and the center of the house, as well as their popularity with STC ticket buyers. Take a look at the house maps on the side of the page for locations. Zone A offers the best seats in the house.

5. Do I choose the dates I want to attend?

When you order your subscription, you’ll be asked what day of the week you’d like to attend. After the subscription renewal period is over, all seats that are not reserved become available, and new subscribers will be seated in the best available seats based on their seating zone.

6. What is an STC Membership?

As a not-for-profit theatre, STC relies on tax-deductible donations to keep all of our programs running, both onstage and offstage. STC Members provide vital support to STC and receive their own special benefits which you can learn about here.

Our benefits are designed to give you greater savings, flexibility, and access to all that STC has to offer. Our regular slate of benefits has been adjusted due to the current health crisis.

Benefits

• Advance access to special events and special announcements
• Priority seating
• Free access to Shakespeare Hour Live online episodes
• Access to exclusive subscriber-only events

Flexibility

• Free ticket exchanges, protected from demand-based pricing increases, with no upgrade fees
• Reseating/standby options for missed performances
• Payable in monthly installments
• 100% refundable before the season begins

Savings

• Up to 35% off single tickets
• 25% off additional tickets
• 35 or Under? Subscribe for only $30 a ticket
• 25% off STC merchandise

Accessibility

• Audio Described performances: April 16 at 2 p.m. (The Merchant of Venice), June 4 at 2 p.m. (Our Town), July 9 at 2 p.m. (Red Velvet)
• Open Caption performances April 2 at 2 p.m. and April 7 at 7:30 p.m. (The Merchant of Venice), June 2 at 7:30 p.m. and June 4 at 2 p.m. (Our Town), June 30 at 7:30 p.m. and July 2 at 2 p.m. (Red Velvet)

During the run of Once Upon a One More Time, STC will require that all patrons provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend any performances or events. STC also requires proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all performers and theatre staff. Please visit our Health and Safety page for full guidelines about providing proof of vaccination at the theatre. This vaccination policy will be re-assessed on an ongoing basis.

Attendees must remain masked while within our venues, including during performances, unless they are eating and drinking in designated lobby areas. Only performers and people invited onstage for talkbacks will be unmasked. Thank you for your understanding.