Actors' Theatre Announces its 2008-2009 Season
Well
By Lisa Kron
Auditions: August 9 & 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Spectrum Theater
Performance Dates: September 25, 26 & 27 October 2, 3 & 4
Well, a play about illness, made its world premier at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York City in 2004. All Lisa Kron wants to do is put on a nice, orderly play about her family and how she was cured of allergies. But when her mother, sitting on a La-Z-Boy recliner in the middle of the stage, starts telling her side of the story, Lisa finds herself in danger of losing control. And when actors portraying characters in Lisa’s life begin critiquing and altering the script, a comedic revolution breaks out. Directed by Fred Sebulske.
The Wild Party
By Andrew Lippa
Auditions: September 27 & 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM at the Spectrum Theater
Performance Dates: December 4, 5 & 6 December 11, 12 & 13 December 18, 19 & 20
The Wild Party, with book, lyrics, and music by Andrew Lippa, is a seductive musical based on Joseph Moncure March's 1928 narrative poem of the same name. A prologue introduces the audience to two vaudeville performers, Queenie, a showgirl, and Burrs, a clown. They appear to be a perfect match since both are attracted to sleaze and kink. They move into a Manhattan apartment together and, after a couple years, boredom and distrust have replaced their passion. Tired and aloof Queenie decides to throw a party for a motley mix of guests. The party takes many interesting twists and dangerous turns, leaving Queenie to wonder how her plan of a party could end in such tragedy.
The Clean House
By Sarah Ruhl
Auditions: November 8 & 9, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Spectrum Theater
Performance Dates: January 22, 23 & 24 January 29, 30 &31
The Clean House is an award-winning play that is a whimsical romantic comedy centered on Mathilde, a Brazilian cleaning woman who would rather be a comedian. Variety called the play a “…wondrously mad and moving work…” and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times dubbed it a deeply romantic comedy, “…visionary, tinged with fantasy, extravagant in feeling, maybe a little nuts.” Entertainment Weekly magazine named the New York production one of the top ten theatrical attractions of the year.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
By: Martin McDonagh
Auditions: January 24 & 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Spectrum Theater
Performance Dates: March 19, 20 & 21March 26, 27 & 28
The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a black comedy by playwright Martin McDonagh, who wrote the Tony award winning play, The Pillowman as well as The Cripple of Inishmaan, which we offered in [2000??]. The play is a bloody comedy about a ruthless and violent Irish National Liberation Army enforcer who has only one thing in the world he really loves: his little cat Wee Thomas. The play explores the hypocrisy of the characters’ paranoia and violence. Beware: as the story of Wee Thomas unfolds, six gallons of fake blood will cover the stage!
A New Brain
By: William Finn
Auditions: March 21 & 22, 2009 at 12:00 PM at the Spectrum Theater
Performance Dates: May 14, 15 & 16 May 21, 22 & 23 May 28, 29 & 30
The musical A New Brain deals with William Finn’s harrowing personal experience with arteriovenous malformation and the healing power of art. The hero, Gordon, worries that he may not live to complete his life’s work. Hallucinations and heart bring the story of Gordon’s healing to life through Finn’s beautiful music and colorful characters.
Call Chris Grooms, Business Development Manager (616-234-3968), to order your season tickets today. Tickets are $85 for any combination of five shows. With your purchase of a season ticket, you will also receive special discounts from Bobby J's Downtown, the official restaurant of Actors' Theatre.
Actors' Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization