Who:
Written by David Auburn
Directed by Bari Newport
Starring Patti Gardner & Sara Morsey
Scenic Design by Frank J Oliva; Sound Design by Sean McGinley; Lighting Design by Tony Galaska; Projection Design by Jamie Godwin; Audio Engineered by Hector Martinez; Costume Design by Brooke Vacca.
Production Stage Manager is Emily Chavez.
Where:
GableStage Theatre Company makes its home in the historic Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
When:
March 28 – April 20, 2025
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Wednesdays and Sundays at 2pm
Last Saturday at 2pm
How:
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Group discounts available for groups of 8+
Contact Box Office:
305-445-1119
GableStage Theatre Company is set to unveil the Miami premiere of Summer, 1976, an intimate and comic memory play by Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, best known for his work on Proof. This poignant exploration of motherhood, ambition, and independence will run from March 28 to April 20 at the historic Biltmore Hotel, featuring captivating performances by Patti Gardner (The Price) and Sara Morsey (The Year of Magical Thinking).
Set against a backdrop of bell bottoms, shag rugs, and the pulsating rhythms of disco, Summer, 1976 transports audiences to a vibrant America celebrating its Bicentennial. In this nostalgic setting, two distinct women—iconoclastic artist Diana (Morsey) and faculty wife Alice (Gardner)—find their paths unexpectedly intertwined through the friendship of their young daughters. As the story unfolds, Auburn delicately navigates each woman’s growing discontent with the compromises they have made in life, revealing how the right friendship at the right moment can catalyze profound change.
“Summer, 1976 is a sumptuous, moving, tenderly insightful play about friendship, memory, and the small moments that can change the course of our lives forever,” said Bari Newport, GableStage’s Producing Artistic Director and director of the production. “Patti Gardner and Sara Morsey—two of Florida’s most captivating stage actors—soar in this fluid and eloquent piece.”
Audiences will be further immersed in the era thanks to Sound Designer Sean McGinley, who has curated a vibrant soundtrack filled with rock and disco hits that bring the 70s to life. The visual experience is enhanced by the collaboration between Scenic Designer Frank J. Oliva and Projection Designer Jamie Godwin, transforming GableStage’s intimate theatre into a dynamic memory place.
The GableStage production of Summer, 1976 is dedicated to Christine Dolen, a legendary critic whose contributions have deeply influenced South Florida’s theatre scene.
This highly anticipated Miami premiere is made possible by the generous support of Roz and Charles Stuzin, alongside additional contributions from the Knight Foundation, Nedra Kalish, Nedra and Mark Oren, Susan Jay, Sheila Wagner, Zelda Schwebel, Sandra Simon, as well as the City of Coral Gables and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
As opening night approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a memorable theatrical journey, reflecting not only the spirit of an era but the universal themes of friendship and self-discovery.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission, and will play from March 28 – April 20, 2025.
7:30pm performances will be offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
2:00pm matinee performances will be offered on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the last Saturday of the run.
WINDOWS ON THE WORK
Beginning 30 minutes before every performance, audience members are invited to “open a window on the work” by deep diving into the production at hand. A member of the artistic team leads these pre-show talks in the “cafe” in front of the theatre.
WINE DOWN FRIDAYS
New this season: Pre-show before every Friday performance, Clementine’s Wine Gourmet will offer patrons vino from around the world.
TICKETS AND DISCOUNTS
Tickets begin at $40, with special rates for artists, military personnel, and groups of 8+.
Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.GableStage.org or by calling (305) 445-1119.
STUDENT/TEACHER RUSH
Students and teachers may attend any performance free of charge through GableStage’s Student/Teacher Rush. Arrive 45 minutes before showtime and fill any empty seat. Student/Teacher ID is required.
STUDENT MATINEES
Two special 10:30am student matinees will be offered on April 4 and April 11 for 300 Miami-Dade High School students. This program is offered through the Miami-Dade County Cultural Passport Program.
MOSAIC MIAMI
Immediately following the 7:30pm performance on April 4, Mosaic Miami presents a post-show panel moderated by Matt Anderson, Executive Director: “Unlikely Kindred Spirits,” featuring Director of Enterprise Journalism (WLRN) and Founder of We Met in Miami, Jessica Bakeman and Founder of My Awesome Friend Podcast, Adriana Oliva, for a discussion about connections, memories, and the small moments that can change the course of our lives.
NON-PROFIT PRODUCTION PARTNER
GableStage is proud to announce its non-profit for the production of Summer 1976 is Junior League of Miami, an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.