‘Wild theatricality’ promised

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY’S 2007-08 SEASON

“A Little Night Music” — Sept. 7 through Oct. 7, 2007, on the Segerstrom Stage

“Shipwrecked! An Entertainment” — Sept. 23 through Oct. 14, 2007, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

“Doubt” — Oct. 19 through Nov. 18, 2007, on the Segerstrom Stage

“The BFG” (Theatre for Young Audiences) — Nov. 2 through 18, 2007, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

“A Christmas Carol” — Nov. 24 through Dec. 24, 2007, on the Segerstrom Stage

“La Posada Mágica” — Dec. 7 through 23, 2007, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

“A Feminine Ending” — Jan. 6 through 27, 2008, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

“The Importance of Being Earnest” — Feb. 8 through March 9, 2008, on the Segerstrom Stage

“Charlotte’s Web” (Theatre for Young Audiences) — Feb. 8 through 24, 2008, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

“Culture Clash in AmeriCCa” — March 16 through April 6, 2008, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

Pacific Playwrights Festival — May 2 through May 4, 2008

“Taking Steps” — May 16 through June 15, 2008, on the Segerstrom Stage

“Imagine” (Theatre for Young Audiences) — May 30 through June 15, 2008, on the Julianne Argyros Stage

**Two world premiere productions will be announced to fill slots in April and May 2008. South Coast Repertory is bringing in the clowns to open its 2007-08 season, which will include Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, classical comedies and Stephen Sondheim’s renowned musical, “A Little Night Music.”

The Costa Mesa theater plans to announce the upcoming season today, promising “wild theatricality” and “thoughtful and sophisticated pieces.”

“We think we offer quite a range and balance of plays representing proven hits and new works,” said David Emmes, theater co-founder and producing artistic director. “It’s a theater where audience members can come and see great plays of past and present, modern masterpieces as well as classics.”

After garnering much acclaim at this year’s Pacific Playwright’s Festival, Donald Margulies’ “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment” will open the season on the Julianne Argyros Stage as a world premiere. The Pulitzer-winning playwright is a repertory favorite, and his latest work presents the comical story of an unlikely hero’s fantastic story of survival.

Following the theater’s rare musical offering on the Segerstrom Stage will be “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Moonstruck.”

The latest work by up-and-coming playwright Sarah Treem will get its West Coast premiere here in January, and what Emmes calls “the finest ever comedy ever written,” Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” will take the stage in February.

Alan Ayckbourn will bring his trademark satire back to South Coast with “Taking Steps,” and so will Culture Clash, who has recently added Orange County to its list of area-specific political and social comedies.

“Artistically, Culture Clash is just an extraordinary group of performers, and the fact that they are Latino is an added benefit, helping us reach out to new audiences,” Emmes said.

Hal Landon Jr. is set to return as Scrooge for the 28th production of “A Christmas Carol,” which will run alongside the theater’s other holiday favorite, “La Posada Mágica.”

Entering its fifth season, the repertory’s Theatre for Young Audiences will tackle two beloved children’s books, “Charlotte’s Web” and Roald Dahl’s “The BFG,” and a new musical from Los Angeles playwright Doug Cooney, “Imagine.”

“We feel strongly about having plays the whole family can go to,” Emmes said. “We want grandparents, parents and kids to be able to experience the great joy of theater and the powerful, meaningful art form it really is.”

Complete season tickets are available by subscription only, ranging from $270 to $486; Segerstrom Season subscriptions are $150 to $270 and Julianne Argyros Season subscriptions are $120 to $216. Theatre for Young Audiences season tickets are $39 to $75.

Subscription packages can be purchased at the theater’s box office at 655 Town Center Drive or by calling (714) 708-5555, with discounts available to students, young patrons, seniors and educators. Single tickets will be available to the public Aug. 12.