In 2005, Cynthia Meier and Joe McGrath launched Rogue Theatre with a resolute vision: to bring to life the great literary and classic works that Tucson’s theater scene had largely overlooked. “We wanted to stage great plays and great literature,” McGrath reflected, noting the scarcity of opportunities in Tucson to “climb the big mountains” of theater. Now, as they prepare for their 20th anniversary season, it’s evident their vision resonated with audiences.

Rogue Theatre’s landmark 20th season kicks off on Friday, Sept. 6, with Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Skin of Our Teeth,” running until Sept. 29 at their venue located at 300 E. University Blvd., in downtown Tucson’s Historic Y.

Back in its early days, Rogue Theatre was a nomadic entity without a permanent home. They performed at various locations, including Zuzi Dance Theatre and the 60-seat Cabaret Theatre at the Temple of Music & Art. In 2006, they staged Wallace Shawn’s “The Fever” at Hotel Congress. “For four years, we were constantly moving,” McGrath said. “Audiences kept asking where Rogue Theatre was based, and without a consistent home, we couldn’t build a stable and recognizable audience.”

Their fortunes changed in their fourth season when they settled into a 160-seat theater space that was once home to Mary MacMurtrie’s Tucson Children’s Theatre in the 1950s. This move proved pivotal. “Almost immediately, they rose to prominence,” noted Kathleen Allen, a longtime theater critic for the Arizona Daily Star. “Securing their own space cemented their status as one of Tucson’s top theaters.”

Rogue Theatre has built a reputation for staging an annual Shakespearean play and works by renowned American playwrights like Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and George Bernard Shaw. They have also brought classic literature to life with adaptations of iconic novels. Meier, who adapted James Joyce’s short story “The Dead” in their inaugural season, emphasized their mission: “Great literature shouldn’t just be read; it should be heard and lived.”

To date, Rogue Theatre has commissioned or premiered 14 literary adaptations. Their upcoming 15th adaptation, John Capecci’s take on Italo Calvino’s novel “If on a winter’s night a traveler,” will debut this November. Capecci himself will lead a free discussion about the play on Oct. 26.

The 20th anniversary season promises an exciting lineup, including John Millington Synge’s “The Playboy of the Western World” from Jan. 10 to Feb. 2, 2025, and Jordan Harrison’s “Marjorie Prime” from Feb. 21 to March 16.

A unique aspect of Rogue Theatre is its ensemble of a dozen actors who each take on three roles per season. Meier and McGrath not only direct but also act in these productions.

Allen highlighted another distinctive feature of Rogue Theatre: its ability to produce large-cast productions, thanks to a dedicated funding base and loyal followers. “They tackle challenging works that other theaters shy away from,” she said. “Even when they stumble, you can’t fault them for their courage. Rogue Theatre consistently pushes boundaries.”

For more information or to contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch, email [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @Starburch.

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