Reprise Theater Company announces 2008-09 season

In its first full season under the artistic direction of Jason Alexander, the recently renamed Reprise Theater Company will offer the musicals “Once on This Island,” “I Love My Wife,” “Man of La Mancha” and “Chess” as its offerings for 2008-09.

The nonprofit theater company, founded in 1997 and formerly known as Reprise! Broadway’s Best, is noted for presenting stripped-down versions of vintage musicals.

“Once on This Island,” with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime”), is a retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” set on a Caribbean island. The production, directed by Billy Porter and choreographed by Bradley “Shooz” Rapier, founder of the L.A.-based Groovaloos, includes in its cast 2008 Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ledisi. The musical will be presented Sept. 2-14 at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse.

“I Love My Wife” is a comedy about the sexual revolution of the 1970s. Composed by Cy Coleman with libretto by Michael Stewart and starring Alexander, Vicki Lewis and Steven Weber, it will be presented Dec. 2-14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

“Man of La Mancha,” written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, will play at the Freud Playhouse Feb.17-March 1, 2009.

“Chess,” a collaboration of lyricist Tim Rice and ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (“Mamma Mia!”) tells the story of an international chess tournament against the backdrop of the Cold War. Reprise will be presenting the musical with a new book by Richard Maltby Jr. at the Freud PlayhouseMay 5-17.

For more information, call (310) 825-2101.

diane.haithman@latimes.com