Neptune Theatre launches 2019-20 season

Neptune Theatre announced its new season this afternoon, with artistic producer Jeremy Webb summing it up thusly: "This year we're celebrating more Atlantic Canadian works, talent and stories about female empowerment." Joining the previously announced Billy Eliot the Musical (April 14-June 7) as the season closer:

Argyle Street Kitchen Party (July 23-August 25): Last year's summertime singalong returns with new special guests.

The Last Wife (September 10-October 6): Kate Hennig's modern-day telling of the relationship between Catherine Parr and King Henry VIII is directed by Natasha MacLellan.

Pleasureville (October 1-20): The world premiere of Ellen Denny's play is billed as "half-sex toy gag, half-feminist debate."

Between Breaths (October 22-November 10): Based on the life of Newfoundland whale rescuer Jon Lien, this production features music composed by The Once.

Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story (October 30-November 17): 2b theatre's multiple Merritt-winning Jewish musical comes in from two years on the road.

Dickens' A Christmas Carol (November 27-December 28): The annual tradition returns with Rhys Bevan-John once again in all the parts.

Peter Pan (November 26-January 5): This year's holiday entry is written and directed by Webb.

The Last Five Years (January 21-February 9): The beloved musical follows two New Yorkers who fall in and out of love.

Controlled Damage (February 4-23): The world premiere of Andrea Scott's dramatization of the life of Viola Desmond.

Calendar Girls (March 3-29): Based on the 2003 film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters about a group of women posing for an "alternative" fundraising calendar.

Ghost Light (March 17-April 5): New Brunswick's Shawn Wright performs this autobiographical show about his relationship with his mother.