Arkansas Repertory Theatre founding artistic director Cliff Baker will return as interim director during the 2016-2017 MainStage season that will include the musicals Monty Python's Spamalot and Godspell.
The announcements were made Wednesday at the theater in Little Rock.
Baker will step in when Robert Hupp departs The Rep in June. Hupp is leaving after 17 years as The Rep's producing artistic director, moving to Syracuse Stage in New York. Hupp planned the new season, in which Baker will direct the musical comedy Sister Act.
"The theater is going to be in good hands while Cliff is here," Hupp said Wednesday.
Baker said he looks forward to his interim return, but he is not a candidate for the job as Hupp's replacement. The theater has begun a nationwide search for the new director.
"I would do anything for The Rep," Baker said, "and anything for Bob, who has been an amazing contributor to this institution," but "not another 23 years, thank you very much."
Founded in 1976, Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state's largest nonprofit professional theater company, reaching an audience of about 70,000 annually. The theater has had only two artistic directors so far, Baker and Hupp. The job includes backstage and administrative duties, as well as the role that Hupp performed Wednesday -- previewing the 41st season.
The new season continues the theater's traditional mix -- "eclectic," Hupp describes it -- of comedies, contemporary dramas, classics and musicals, starting earlier than usual on Labor Day weekend.
"I think we have such a strong opener that people are going to change their Labor Day plans [for it]," Hupp said, announcing the lineup:
• Spamalot, Broadway musical, Aug. 31-Oct.2.
• The Crucible, classic Arthur Miller drama, Oct. 26-Nov. 13.
• A Christmas Story, based on Jean Shepherd's comic memoirs, Nov. 30-Dec. 24.
• Sister Act, Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Jan. 25-Feb. 26, 2017.
"I know the audience is going to be crazy for it," Baker said of the show he was scheduled to direct before he agreed to lead the entire season.
He expects the theater will have a new artistic director in place by time for Sister Act. Otherwise, he will be his own guest director. "It's surreal."
• Jar the Floor, contemporary family comedy-drama, March 29-April 16, 2017.
• Godspell, rock musical with aerial effects, May 31-June 25, 2017.
Hupp said the new season "embodies the best of what we do, which is great storytelling," and, "you know we're going to assemble the best actors."
"I appreciate my 17 years of being at The Rep," he said. "It's been a privilege."
More information about The Rep's new season will appear in Sunday's Style section, along with a preview of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's 2016-2017 season of masterworks, pops and chamber music concerts.
More information about Arkansas Repertory Theatre is available at therep.org, or by calling (501) 378-0405.
Metro on 03/17/2016