HOUSTON, TX —Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. (DDTCo.) continues in the tradition of bringing gritty, thought-provoking stories to the stage with their Season 8 lineup for 2023−2024. The collection of plays explores characters placed in horrifyng situations, asking whether they are victims of circumstance or of fate.
Season 8 opens in October with an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s short story, The Birds, written by Conor McPherson, about strangers struggling to survive a pandemic of deadly fowl. In March, life imitates art in Martin McDonagh’s psychological thriller, The Pillowman. The season concludes in late spring with the regional premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate, in which a group of siblings fights to prevent the sins of the father from becoming their family legacy.
THE BIRDS
Written by: Conor McPherson
Directed by: Curtis Barber
Performance dates: Oct 20 – Nov 4, 2023
When a relentless and deadly slew of birds begins attacking humanity, strangers Nat and Diane find themselves trying to survive together in an isolated cabin. Soon after, the young and attractive Julia arrives looking for shelter, bringing with her suspicion and distrust. When the duo becomes a trio, paranoia takes hold revealing an inside threat that rivals that of the murderous birds on the outside. Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 classic short story, and the basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, is adapted by Conor McPherson and becomes a gripping and unsettling look at human nature in the face of societal collapse.
THE PILLOWMAN
Written by: Martin McDonagh
Directed by: Malinda L. Beckham
Performance dates: March 8 – 23, 2024
In a dark and dingy interrogation room in an unnamed totalitarian state, Katurian is questioned when the gruesome content of his short stories begins to resemble a series of bizarre murders occurring in his town. When the police also take his mentally impaired brother into custody, Katurian must decide how
best to protect himself, his brother, and his stories. With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka, and the Brothers Grimm, this dark and provocative tale explores the very nature of nurture.
APPROPRIATE
Written by: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by: Ron Jones
Performance dates: May 24 – June 8, 2024
The estranged members of the Lafayette clan have returned to their crumbling Arkansas plantation home to settle the estate of their recently deceased patriarch. As they sort through a lifetime of their father’s junk and hoarded mementos, a disturbing and horrifying discovery surfaces, confronting the family with more than what to do with a house full of stuff. Can a lifetime of clutter disguise the true nature of what lies beneath?
Subscription packages and individual tickets for DDTCo.’s Season 8 are available now at matchouston.org. More information may be found at dirtdogstheatre.org.
DETAILS
CALENDAR LISTING
Theatre/Performing Arts
WHAT
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Season 8 Lineup
WHERE
MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston 3400 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
PRESS CONTACT
Trevor B. Cone, Executive Director
713-561-5113 | trevor@dirtdogstheatre.org
ABOUT DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO.
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. creates multi-faceted theatrical productions that enrich and entertain audiences, inspire artists, and honor playwrights. It was established in 2015 by Houston theatre veterans, Trevor B. Cone, Malinda L. Beckham, and John Baker. Dirt Dogs collaborates with Houston artists and playwrights to provide an opportunity for new works to be seen, and previously produced ones to breathe new life.
www.dirtdogstheatre.org
