​11 theater productions to see this spring

This spring, local theaters are offering a collection of stories that highlight important historical figures, reimagine old tales with new vigor, and highlight the importance of starting over after a loss. These distinctive tales explore themes of friendship, survival, ambition and activism and hold lessons about what’s important, how to cherish others, and how to look within when times are tough. Here are 11 productions to consider this spring.

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The battle for women’s right to vote was fraught with many challenges. In the musical “Suffs” straight from Broadway, audiences will learn about the courageous and intelligent American women who fought for equality, including Alice Paul, Doris Stevens, Ruza Wenclawska, as well as Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell. The musical about the 1913 women’s movement – including the in-fighting and intergenerational disagreements – by Shaina Taub (who also wrote the music and lyrics), had a world premiere in 2022 at The Public Theater. Taub is the first woman to independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season.

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In Pearl Cleage’s “Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous,” actress Anna Campbell is at a crossroads. Anna staged a one-woman show performing August Wilson monologues in the nude in the 1990s, and created a bit of a theatrical ruckus. The work changed her life. Now, it’s time for a younger thespian to step into her shoes for the show, and the aging Anna isn’t feeling it. Can she find the strength to make room for the new actress, or will she impede the young woman’s career? Anna’s manager and friend Betty weighs in to help her make the decision in this narrative that explores ambition, legacy and intergenerational challenges. Patrice Jean-Baptiste (“The Grove” and “Her Portmanteau”) plays Anna and Jacqui Parker directs.

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Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s film, “The Outsiders” details an epic battle between the haves and have-nots. Set in 1967 Tulsa, Oklahoma, the narrative focuses on an incident between working-class Greasers and the wealthy Socs who are from two very different worlds. After Ponyboy Curtis and his best friend Johnny Cade are attacked by Socs, the two must navigate the tragic aftermath together. Centered on belonging, friendship and coming of age, “The Outsiders" features a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Levine, music supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Levine, with direction from Danya Taymor.

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When angling to win a war, math skills might not be top of mind. But mathematician Alan Turing changed that with his contributions to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Turing is known for his help breaking the Enigma code. The Enigma machine was an electromechanical rotor cipher device used by Nazi Germany to encrypt secret military communications. Cracking the code allowed the U.S. to outmaneuver the Germans. The play, by Hugh Whitemore, details the life of the trailblazing Turing, whose standing came into question after being convicted of homosexual acts. “Breaking the Code” will be directed by Elliot Norton-winner Scott Edmiston and will star Eddie Shields.

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In E.B. White’s heartwarming book  “Charlotte’s Web,” a spider named Charlotte works to save the life of a pig, Wilbur, who is set to be slaughtered. In the play, adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, Charlotte weaves messages in her web to turn Wilbur into a celebrity and save his life. Along the way, Wilbur meets a whole host of animal friends that enrich his life in this family-friendly narrative.

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Mysticism, redemption and community are just some of the themes that the late August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” explores. At the center is Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old soul cleanser in Pittsburgh. In this narrative, the first of Wilson’s century cycle, the city is in uproar over a local martyr who committed suicide when accused of stealing at work. At the same time, Citizen Barlow, who fled from Alabama seeking salvation, ends up at Aunt Ester’s door. To help, she sends him on a voyage to the City of Bones to find the answers he needs. The production will be directed by Monica White Ndounou.

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The developing kinship between two men — a ship captain and an allegedly murderous stowaway — anchors the drama in this production by DNAWORKS. Set on a ship, the immersive performance detailing this complicated relationship combines dance, text and sound and provides space for audience participation. “The Secret Sharer” is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s 1902 novel, which is considered an early queer text, according to the show’s description. At this world premiere, showgoers will act as the ship’s perimeter and will be able to share their own stories throughout the performance.

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Four whiskey-swigging New Bedford whalers fight for their lives after being shipwrecked due to a storm in “Swept Away.” In the musical, with a book by John Logan and music and lyrics by the Avett Brothers, the survivors must look within to find the grit to persevere. Directed by Jeremy Johnson, the play explores friendship and the cost of survival.

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In the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, King Oedipus of Thebes fulfills a prophecy to kill his father, King Laius, and marry his mother. The tale is wholly revamped by Luis Alfaro in “Oedipus El Ray.” Instead of Thebes, MacArthur Fellow Alfaro sets his reimagining in Chicano gang culture in South Central Los Angeles. In this version, Laius learns about the prophecy and arranges to have his son killed, but fate still wins. The show premiered at The Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 2010. The Huntington Theatre’s Loretta Greco staged the original and will direct this production.

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Ballerina Nina is pushing for the spotlight. She’s eager to win, and ultimately lands the starring role of the Black Swan in “Swan Lake.” As she pushes herself to the limit, while balancing the mounting pressure from her director and a rival ballerina, her mental health starts to suffer. Sonya Tayeh, choreographer of The Huntington’s fantastic “Sing Street” in 2022 and the A.R.T.'s “Gatsby” in 2024, returns to the A.R.T. to direct and choreograph “Black Swan,” a musical adaptation of the 2010 film of the same name written by Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin and Andres Heinz, based on a story by Heinz. Ambition, rivalry and tragedy collide in this play, with a book by Guggenheim Fellow Jen Silverman and a score by Dave Malloy. “Black Swan” is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

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After the passing of her husband, Disciple, Abasiama Ufot must find a way to carry on. She still lives in the house she and her husband shared and it’s full of memories and the ghosts of the past. But, soon, she forms a bond with Azell Abernathy, a church-going, kind man. Over time, as Abasiama heals, she learns what love is really about and gets the chance to try again, if she’s willing to take it. Presented with ArtsEmerson, this is the eighth installment in playwright Mfoniso Udofia’s nine-part Ufot Family Cycle, produced over two years in an effort spearheaded by The Huntington.

For showgoers following the cycle of this Nigerian American family, there will be in-process presentations of the seventh play, “Lifted,” at Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain on March 10,12 and 14, March 24-28 at the Maso Studio at the Huntington Theatre, and on March 29 at the Walsh Alumnae Hall Auditorium, Wellesley College. In this narrative, the focus is on Toyoima Ufot, Abasiama’s middle child, whose soaring career in academia spirals into chaos when accused of plagiarism. A trip to Nigeria pushes her to grapple with her history and her healing.