Urban Stages Will Give Yussef El Guindi’s People of the Book a New York Premiere
The Off-Broadway company’s season also includes a winter music festival and the winning production from its Dynamic Duo play competition.
Yussef El Guindi
Ann-Margaret Johnson
Urban Stages has announced the lineup of productions and festivals for its 2024-2025 season.
The season will kick off with the New York premiere of Yussef El Guindi’s People of the Book, running October 4-27, with an official opening October 10. John Langs will direct the premiere, with casting to be announced. People of the Book follows an author who returns from war to literary glory, but his celebrity status is underscored by his marriage to an Iraqi woman he saved.Â
Urban Stages’ annual Winter Rhythms music festival will follow, running December 4-15. The festival will feature 22 different shows and over 100 performers, with selections from the Great American Songbook, pop tunes, Broadway favorites, holiday classics, and more. All proceeds go to Urban Stages’ outreach programs. This year’s festival is produced by Sue Matsuki.Â
The season will conclude with a spring production of a new play from the winner of Urban Stages’ Dynamic Duo Festival contest. The company put out a call for original plays featuring two actors during its 2023–2024 season, and one standout show will soon be announced as Urban Stages’ spring production. Performances will begin in March 2025.Â
“As we enter our 41st year, Urban Stages remains dedicated to bringing compelling and thought-provoking stories to our audiences,” Artistic Director Frances Hill said in a statement. “Our 2024-2025 season showcases our commitment to developing new works, highlighting diverse and talented artists, and emphasizing the importance of storytelling. We believe in the power of theatre to foster meaningful connections and reflect the diverse experiences of our community. We are immensely proud of our legacy and look forward to an inspiring future.”
Visit UrbanStages.org for more information.
