Williams Street Rep announces new season, equity agreement

Williams Street Repertory announced Friday it will kick off its 2016-17 season in Crystal Lake with a July theater festival.

Williams Street Rep also announced it has entered into an agreement with the Actors' Equity Association, the association that represents 50,000 actors and stage managers in the U.S.

"It has been a tremendous experience to be an active part of Williams Street Rep's growth over the last few years," producing director Mike Vandercook said in a statement, "and I could not be happier to have the opportunity to be able to join the company in this exciting and substantial step in embracing and solidifying its artistic and professional identity."

The Williams Street TheatreFest will feature "Art," Yasmina Reza's comedy about how different artistic tastes affect three longtime friends, in repertory with "[title of show]," a musical about the creation of a musical. The festival, which runs July 8 to Aug. 6, also includes a solo show by playwright Jeff Sweet titled "You Only Shoot the Ones You Love."

Theatergoers who purchase a TheatreFest package receive up to 25 percent off regular season tickets.

The main stage season begins Sept. 16 with Steve Martin's comedy "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," followed by the holiday-themed revue, "A Christmas Survival Guide" (Nov. 26-Dec. 4).

Next up is an examination of dating pitfalls titled "First Date" (Jan. 20-Feb. 12, 2017), followed by the premiere of George Brant's dark comedy "Any Other Name" (March 17-April 2, 2017), set in Victorian England.

The season concludes April 21, 2017, with Frank Loesser's Damon Runyon-inspired musical "Guys and Dolls."

Performances take place at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Anyone purchasing a RaueNow membership by Aug. 17 will receive 55 percent off William Street Repertory ticket prices. Ticket prices range from $23 to $39. Call (815) 356-9212 or go to rauecenter.org.