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PROVIDENCE - Never one to stand pat or grow stale, Trinity Repertory Company has announced that its 2008-2009 season will begin and end with world premiere plays.

"Antigone Anew," written by artistic director Curt Columbus, and "Shapeshifter" by Laura Schellhardt, who is playwright-in-residence at Trinity, will bookend their season in September and in May.

The season continues with the dark comedy, "The Receptionist," by Brown MFA playwriting graduate Adam Bock (December-January), the beloved American classic "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry (January-March), David Hare's family drama "The Secret Rapture" (February-March) and Oscar Wilde's best-loved comedy of manners, "The Importance of Being Earnest" (April-May).

Also new this season is a unified curtain time of 7:30 p.m. for all performances, except for 2 p.m. matinees and "A Christmas Carol," which has a separate schedule.

When planning the season, Columbus and associate artistic director Craig Watson said they were drawn to the theme of personal change. "We wanted to look at plays that spoke about hope, and all the possibilities hope can bring. One of the plays that we chose immediately was 'A Raisin in the Sun,'" said Watson. "These themes of race and class really resonate with students who live in our cities. They're dealing with these issues on a daily basis."

Columbus added, "My third season at Trinity Repertory Company promises to be the most challenging, enlightening and entertaining yet. The stage is set for exciting new work, boldly re-envisioned classics, and some of the finest actors anywhere on the American stage."

The 2008-9 breakdown:

"Antigone Anew" by Curt Columbus/Sept. 19-Oct. 26.

In the hands of Columbus, a classic play may become one of the newest and most relevant. This ancient parable of power, corruption and despair is retold as a story of courage and faith in society's ability to change. Inspired by Sophocles' classic and adapted for the resident acting company, "Antigone Anew" reframes questions about personal and social responsibility in our times. A world premiere.

"The Receptionist" by Adam Bock/directed by Curt Columbus/Dec. 5-Jan. 11.

"Can I put you into his voicemail?" Product lines, client meetings, protocol: It's business-as-usual in the Northeast Office. To pass the time, there's pastry, personal calls and romantic advice for the zany co-worker. When that cute guy from the Central Office drops by, he's happy to chat till the boss gets back. Then, in the blink of an eye, this familiar daydream becomes a nightmare you don't see coming. Simple and funny, "The Receptionist" gets under your skin until its chilling revelation is utterly inevitable.

"A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry/directed by Brian McEleney/Jan. 30-March 8.

"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up, like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?" From their tenement apartment, the Younger family believes an insurance windfall is about to change their lives - but poverty and prejudice conspire against them. When all seems lost, they must choose: accept injustice or stand tall. The first Broadway play written by, directed by and acted by African Americans, it embraces the humanity of every family.

"The Secret Rapture" by David Hare/directed by Curt Columbus/Feb. 20-March 29. Dad's dead and buried, and Isobel and Marion must settle not only the estate, but their life-long differences in values and loyalties as well. What will they do about Dad's young, unstable widow? Which sister will sacrifice her career and personal life, and who can predict the cost? "The Secret Rapture" places political and moral issues within the intimate frame of one family's crisis.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde/directed by Beth Milles/April 10-May 17.

Gwendolen loves Ernest, and so does Cecily. But wait, Cecily's intended is actually Algernon. And Gwendolen's fiancé is really Jack. So who is Ernest? (They made him up!) Lady Bracknell cannot permit decent society be defamed in this way. All seems lost for the pairs of lovers in Oscar Wilde's best-loved comedy of manners, but a familiar leather handbag and a military reference book somehow save the day. Hilarity ensues, honesty is the best policy, true love conquers all.

"Shapeshifter" by Laura Schellhardt/directed by Laura Kepley/May 1-June 7.

After a terrible storm, as they wait for the fishermen's return, Midge and her grandfather tell each other a story. "Long ago, a shapeshifter lived - a woman, sometimes, and sometimes something else. A man gave her his heart, and she gave him a child - but he couldn't hold her for long" As they spin their tale in the days that follow, it feels almost real. Tom has married the beautiful, silent woman he pulled from the waves; and is it a swan that Douglas keeps locked in his shed? A world premiere.

Trinity Rep Conservatory graduate Liesl Tommy will direct Trinity Rep's 32nd annual all-new production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," running Nov. 21-Dec. 31.

Season subscriptions are available by calling 401-351-4242 or going to trinityrep.org.