Everyman Theatre artistic director Vincent Lancisi summarizes the goal for next season, the company's 25th anniversary, in a short phrase: "We're going to up our game."
That game should get especially challenging when nine Everyman resident actors are put into rotating productions of two celebrated and demanding American classics, Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Lancisi will direct "Salesman," Derek Goldman "Streetcar." The same cast, supplemented by guest artists, will perform both works, which will be presented on alternating nights, from April 5 to June 12, 2016; in some cases, the two plays will be presented in a single day.
Earlier in the season, which starts in September, a more recent American classic, August Wilson's "Fences" from 1983, will be staged (Oct. 20 to Nov. 22), directed by Walter Dallas, who guided the company's memorable production of "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark."
Having scored a hit with a revival of "Deathtrap" this season, Everyman will dig up an older mystery, the venerable 1945 British work by J.B. Priestley, "An Inspector Calls," to open the silver anniversary season, Sept. 9 to Oct. 11.
Also on tap: "Outside Mullingar" by John Patrick Shanley, author of "Doubt" and "Moonstruck," directed by Donald Hicken (Dec. 8 to Jan. 10); and a play that had its premiere in Philadelphia earlier this year, "Under the Skin" by Michael Hollinger (Jan. 19 to Feb. 21), whose previous works include "Opus," directed by Lancisi.
On select Monday nights, traditionally dark for theater companies, there will be a new venture curated and directed by women of Everyman's resident company. They will offer what are described as "interactive" readings of works by 20th-century women playwrights.
To mark the 25th anniversary, tickets for all preview performances will be $25. "We want to remove price as a barrier to attending theater," said Jonathan Waller, Everyman's new managing director.
For more information, call 410-752-2208 or visit everymantheatre.org.