The shows of abundant holiday cheer have closed, we’re rolling through January, and it is time for Atlanta theaters to move posthaste toward more varied fare. So for those of us whose New Year’s resolutions include seeing more theater, here is a glance at what Atlantans have in store for the first part of the year.
January
While January is a traditionally slow time for theater, at least a few companies are getting a head start on 2025 programming.
The Alliance Theatre has already jumped into the new year with the world premiere of “Doctor De Soto,” which continues through March 2. Adapted by Idris Goodwin from the picture book by William Steig, this innovative children’s production uses a blend of live action, puppetry and music to bring the story to life. “Doctor De Soto” is a coproduction with the Seattle Children’s Theatre.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Aurora Theatre/K. Talley Photography
Credit: Photo courtesy of Aurora Theatre/K. Talley Photography
Aurora Theatre opens “King of Pangea,” which runs Thursday through Feb. 16. An innovative and heartfelt new musical, it follows a 21-year-old man named Christopher as he copes with the death of his mother by journeying back to an imaginary island that they invented together.
Coming back for its third run starting Friday is Horizon Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.” This electropop adaptation of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” opened at the Little Five Points theater in November 2023 and had another successful run in 2024. Critic Alexis Hauk, writing for ArtsATL, called the production “an effervescent, absorbing and musically versatile delight” featuring “dexterous direction” and a “go-for-broke cast,” most of whom are returning for this year’s run. The production runs through Feb. 23.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Horizon Theatre/Shannel Resto, SJR Photography
Credit: Photo courtesy of Horizon Theatre/Shannel Resto, SJR Photography
Out Front Theatre will close out the month with Bryna Turner’s “At the Wedding,” running Jan. 30 to Feb. 15. This bittersweet comedy follows a woman named Carlo who is invited to her ex-girlfriend’s wedding and must resist the temptation to try to win her back.
February
Credit: Photo courtesy of Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse/Jeff Watkins
Credit: Photo courtesy of Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse/Jeff Watkins
February is when things really kick into gear, with two openings set for Feb. 1.
Stage Door Theatre’s “Cry It Out” is a dark comedy about three new parents who find solidarity in the trials and absurdities of caring for infants.
That same night, Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse will bring back last year’s fan-favorite production of “Romeo & Juliet,” which was praised by ArtsATL critic Benjamin Carr as “a Valentine for a new generation.” Though much of the cast has changed, Golbanoo Setayesh and Tommy Sullivan-Lovett reprise their roles as the titular lovers. “Cry It Out” closes Feb. 16, while “Romeo & Juliet” runs until March 2.
Following on their heels are three nights of back-to-back openings.
Synchronicity Theatre opens the family show “Petite Rouge,” a Cajun-inspired retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood,” on Feb. 4. Based on the children’s book by Mike Artell and Jim Harris, this production boasts as a director Candy McLellan Davison, known across Atlanta for her work as both a director and actor. “Petite Rouge” runs through March 2.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Theatrical Outfit/Casey Gardner Ford
Credit: Photo courtesy of Theatrical Outfit/Casey Gardner Ford
Theatrical Outfit will be starting its year with a splash with the Southeastern premiere of the critically acclaimed, Tony-winning play “The Lehman Trilogy” by Stefano Massini, running Feb. 5 to March 2. This three-act epic, a coproduction with The Breman, follows multiple generations of the Lehman family as they build a financial empire then experience a colossal failure that challenges the global economy.
Then, on Feb. 6, Actor’s Express comes roaring into 2025 with David Adjmi’s “Marie Antoinette,” running through Feb. 23. This darkly satirical production follows the iconic historical figure as she struggles to hang onto her head amid revolutionary sentiment. The coproduction with Oglethorpe University will be directed by Donya K. Washington and feature Alexandra Ficken in the title role.
True Colors Theatre returns from a lengthy hiatus on Feb. 11 with the regional premiere of “JaJa’s African Hair Braiding,” a heartfelt exploration of immigrant identity and community set in a Harlem hair salon. Directed by Ibi Owolabi, it runs through March 9.
The Alliance’s first show of the year for adult audiences is “Bust,” a coproduction with Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, which runs Feb. 13 to March 16. This surrealist play follows a suburban couple who witness their longtime neighbor being pulled over by a police officer right in front of his own house and post a video online, where it quickly causes tensions to escalate and, eventually, erupt.
March
Not long after “Great Comet” closes, Horizon will start the second half of its season in earnest with “I Carry Your Heart With Me” by Jennifer Blackmer, running March 7-23. Directed by artistic director Lisa Adler, this one-woman show follows a Vietnam-era stenographer named Esther (played by Atlanta legend Carolyn Cook) who finds herself embroiled in a mystery when she starts interviewing soldiers recently home from the front lines.
On March 8, Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse will present “Carlyle Brown’s The African Company Presents Richard III,” a play based on the true story of an all-Black theater troupe, 40 years before emancipation, that must fight for the right to perform the Shakespeare tragedy. The production runs through March 30.
Out Front’s season continues into March with “Immediate Family” by Paul Oakley Stovall. This comedy centers around the Bryant family as they reunite for a family wedding and find themselves with issues aplenty to comb through (including Jesse, who has brought along his new Swedish boyfriend). This production runs March 13-29.
City Springs Theatre gets the second half of its season started with the critically acclaimed musical “Ragtime.” This sweeping story of racism, resilience and hope won Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score when it opened on Broadway in 1998. Directed and choreographed by Todd L. Underwood, “Ragtime” runs March 14-30.
On March 20, there is another dual opening.
Aurora Theatre continues its season with Ken Ludwig’s “Gods of Comedy,” running through April 13. Meanwhile, Actor’s Express will stage Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Topdog/Underdog,” which follows two brothers named Lincoln and Booth as they struggle for the elusive American dream. Directed by Eric J. Little, this production runs through April 19.
Closing out the month is the world premiere of “The Reservoir” by Jake Brasch, running March 29 to May 4 at the Alliance Theatre. “The Reservoir” had a staged reading at the Alliance in 2024 as a finalist of the Alliance/Kendeda Playwriting Festival. This world premiere production is a coproduction between the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Geffen Playhouse.
Returning hits and regional premieres, tear-jerking new musicals and sidesplitting comedies — as you can see, Atlanta theaters offer plenty to pick from just in the first part of the year.
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