We return to our series of visits to the web sites of major regional theatres. This week:
Less than ten years old, Arlington, Virginia's Signature has already
attracted nationwide attention for its well-received productions
of world- and area-premieres, with "with special emphasis
on musical theatre" reflecting "a diversity of cultures,
social issues and histories." The specialize in remountings
of challenging material that deserves a second look after initial,
perhaps unsuccessful, productions elsewhere. These include Timberlake
Wertenbaker's Our Country's Good, Michael John Lachiusa's
First Lady Suite, Jeff Lunden and Art Perlman's Wings
- The Musical, and the Sondheim/Weidman Assassins. World
premiere's include the work of Norman Allen (Nijinsky's Last
Dance), John Strand (Three Nights in Tehran), Paulette
Laufer (Eagle River), and the workshop of John Kander and
Fred Ebb's Over & Over (based on Thorton Wilder's The
Skin of Our Teeth). Signature productions have received 100
Helen Hayes Award Nominations, and have won 28.
Signature's first home (in 1990) was the Gunston Arts Center, in Arlington, which confined them to limited runs because of the county's own use of the space. In 1993, they moved to their new home, a converted auto repair shop, with a 136-seat black box space. It remains under the artistic direction of its co-founder (with actress Donna Lillard Migliaccio), Eric D. Schaeffer.
Their 1999/2000 season is just beginning with Angels in America, Part II (their previous season concluded with Part I). They continue with Sweeney Todd and Side Show, as well as world premieres of Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar's Swing Alley and Available Light.
Once you get past the rather garish color choices (see logo above -- I'm told that these are the colors of their theatre lobby!), Signature's official web site is a study in straightforward clarity, with all your available navigation options readily available at the bottom of each page.
hot news - for press releases.
sro newsletter - a full edition of their quarterly newsletter,
featuring interviews, feature articles, production notes, "little
known facts" about the theatre, and press releases.
now playing - for cast and lists and bios, notes, and info
about whatever is currently running.
current season - blurbs, production info, and performance
dates (check back on this -- the current season info is not current).
tickets - links to the ProTix
web site, allowing direct purchase of Signature tickets.
getting there - directions from every direction, including
detailed maps and parking info
history - from then 'til now.
past seasons - a simple list of the productions of each season.
staff - bios of the bosses.
outreach - details about their "On the Edge" world
premiere series, "Stages" free-to-the-public staged
readings, "Signature in the Schools" programs for high
schools, and other special programs.
supporting - gifts, corporate membership, and sponsorship.
volunteers - from ushering to errand-running.
awards - a list of wins, by category.
bookshop - links to Amazon.com.
Previous regional theatre views:
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Alley Theatre
Goodman Theatre
Goodspeed Opera House
Old Globe Theatre
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 7/20/99
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