Penguin Repertory, Stony Point Announces New Season

BY GEORGE J. DACRE 

Artistic Director Joe Brancato says there will be three comedies and one play in Rockland’s only professional theatre on Crickettown Road. First up will be “Small World,” a New York premiere written by Frederick Stroppel. When Walt Disney hears the music of “The Rite Of Spring,” he envisions planets whizzing through space, the creation of the earth, volcanoes and of course, dinosaurs. But composer Igor Stravinsky has another vision altogether in what is labeled a wise and witty new comedy. They go behind the scenes of  Disney’s classic “Fantasia,” where the dinosaurs aren’t the only ones doing battle. Showing May 15 to June 7.

“My Name Is Asher Lev,” a play by Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok (who also wrote “Mr. Chosen”) is next up. This award-winning American play is set in postwar Brooklyn and tells the powerful story of a boy prodigy who must be a painter at all costs, against the will of family, community and tradition. It is called “a touching and soulful portrait of a family, saturated in vivid color and handsomely framed” by NY1. Showing July 10 to August 2.

“Becoming Dr. Ruth,” a comedy by Mark St. Germain. Meet America’s most famous sex therapist (move aside Masters and Johnson). Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career on radio and TV. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded it. Filled with humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Seigel, the girl who became Dr, Ruth. Showing August 14 to September 8.

“Priceless,” a world premiere comedy by David Robson, the author of last season’s “Playing The Assassin.” This is his newest play about an art caper gone awry. When Raymond gets into trouble, he reaches out to an unlikely source for help. Zacke might have been a bully in high school, but his unorthodox talent for skirting the law may be exactly what Raymond needs now. Their reunion ignites humor and demonstrates that even if the best things in life are free, they aren’t cheap. Showing October 2 to October 25.

Tickets and information at www.penguinrepertory.org.