SCR Announces 3 World Premieres, Musical

South Coast Repertory has filled in virtually all the remaining slots for its previously announced 1990-91 season with three world premieres and a musical, a spokesman said Thursday.

Mark Lee’s “Pirates,” the first-prize winner of SCR’s 1989 California Play Competition, and Milcha Sanchez-Scott’s “El Dorado,” which placed near the top of the competition, will receive their world premieres on the Mainstage. Both plays had public readings at last spring’s California Play Festival (Calfest).

Robert Daseler’s “Alekhine’s Defense,” formerly titled “An Office Romance” and a second-prize winner in the competition, will receive its world premiere on the Second Stage. It, too, had a public reading at Calfest.

In addition, the theater will mount the Bertolt Brecht-Kurt Weill musical “Happy End” on the Mainstage, in an adaptation by Michael Feingold, and a new American play on the Second Stage, still to be announced.

The theater also expects to produce two world premieres at next season’s Calfest, to be decided later this year from play submissions to the current competition.

The SCR season as announced to date:

MAINSTAGE:

“Man and Superman” by George Bernard Shaw. (Sept. 7 to Oct. 11). Martin Benson director.

“The Secret Rapture” by David Hare. (Oct. 26 to Nov. 26). David Emmes director.

“Pirates” by Mark Lee. (Jan. 11 to Feb. 14). Benson director.

“You Can’t Take It With You” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. (March 1 to April 4). Warner Shook.

“El Dorado” by Milcha Sanchez-Scott. (April 19 to May 23). Director to be announced.

“Happy End” by Bertolt Brech (lyrics) and Kurt Weill (music), book and lyrics adapted by Michael Feingold. (June 7 to July 13). Barbara Damashek director; Dennis Castellano musical director.

SECOND STAGE:

“Pick Up Ax” by Anthony Clarvoe. (Sept. 18 to Oct. 21). David Esbjornson director.

“Alekhine’s Defense” by Robert Daseler. (Nov. 6 to Dec. 9). Director to be announced.

A new American play to be announced. (Jan. 22 to Feb. 24).

“The Russian Teacher” by Alexander Buravsky, English adaptation by Keith Reddin. (March 12 to April 14).

California Play Festival, two plays to be announced. (April 30 to June 2).