TheatreSquared Announces 2010/11 Lineup

THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
Suspense, Thrills, Romance, Holiday Laughter and a World Premiere
Four-Play Subscription Series Goes On Sale May 21


FAYETTEVILLE, AR—May 18, 2010—TheatreSquared (T2) announced today its 2010/11 Fifth Anniversary Season, beginning September 2010. “Without a doubt, this is a landmark year,” said T2 Artistic Director Robert Ford, “with a thrilling new suspense comedy, a hilarious holiday satire for all ages, the World Premiere of a rich new work by an Arkansas playwright, and one of the most wrenching love stories I’ve ever seen on stage.” Each play will be newly envisioned by professional artists in the intimate Studio Theatre at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, where the farthest seat from the stage is within fifteen feet of the performers. Subscriptions can be purchased beginning May 21, 2010 by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600.

 “We’re continuing our tradition of high quality at an accessible price for audiences from all walks of life,” said Martin Miller, Managing Director for TheatreSquared. “On May 21, subscriptions to the four-play season will go on sale starting at $74—less than $19 per play. We’re opening up one preview performance of each production on a ‘Pay What You Can’ basis. And for the second year, the sponsored 30 Under 30 program will set aside thirty $10 tickets at every performance for patrons under thirty years of age.”

The season kicks off with THE 39 STEPS, adapted by Patrick Barlow from John Buchan’s spy novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic thriller. Michael Landman (Rabbit Hole, 2009), returns to TheatreSquared to direct this fast-paced Broadway hit.  When a femme fatale is murdered in the home of a wealthy Britishman, he escapes being framed only to find a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” hot on his trail. This fast-paced comic thriller combines hilarity and thrills with an on-stage plane crash, desperate romance, and a death-defying finale. A two-time 2008 Tony and Drama Desk Award-winner. September 3—19, 2010. For all ages.

For the holiday season, TheatreSquared presents EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez. T2 co-founder Morgan Hicks (The Mystery of Irma Vep—2008; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged—2009) directs this hilarious and ambitious holiday comedy for all ages. Tired of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved yuletide classic, three actors rebel and set out to perform every Christmas story ever told—from Frosty to the Grinch, Charlie Brown to George Bailey. For good measure, this ridiculously talented trio throws in topical humor, some ancient history, and every Christmas carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season. December 10—26, 2010. For all ages.

In the new year, TheatreSquared presents the World Premiere of SUNDOWN TOWN by Kevin Cohea, featuring more than a dozen bluegrass and gospel songs. Commissioned by TheatreSquared and developed over two years at the Arkansas New Play Fest, Sundown Town is a significant new addition to the American stage. When an African American drifter wanders into a rural North Arkansas town in the summer of 1918, a law prohibiting “strangers” after dark threatens to tear the tight-knit community apart. Sundown Town is an uncommon theatrical story of prejudice and redemption, persecution and hope. This T2 World Premiere will be presented in collaboration with Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. February 4—20, 2011. Recommended for ages 13+.

Closing out the season, TheatreSquared presents REASONS TO BE PRETTY by Neil LaBute.  Nominated for the 2009 Tony Award for Best New Play, Reasons to Be Pretty is a hopelessly romantic drama about the hopelessness of romance. Penned by acclaimed provocateur Neil LaBute (The Shape of Things, In the Company of Men), the play is the story of Greg and his girlfriend Steph—and the fallout when a friend relays Greg's offhand remark that she has a “regular” face. “A real love story ... with the freshest, most illuminating dialogue anywhere.” — The New York TimesApril 15—May 1, 2011.   Mature language and themes.

TheatreSquared will present its third annual Arkansas New Play Fest in May of 2011, with dates and titles for the celebration of new works still to be finalized. The Festival will again unite promising voices in American playwriting in a three-day celebration of dramatic storytelling. Tickets for this year’s 2010 Arkansas New Play Fest, running May 21-23, 2010, are still available at theatre2.org and by calling the T2 Box Office at (479) 571-2728.

Subscriptions, including The 39 Steps, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Sundown Town and Reasons to be Pretty, begin at $74. Subscribers receive a number of benefits, with prime seats at a 15% discount over single ticket prices, as well as free ticket exchanges and priority customer service. Subscribers also receive significant discounts on performance evenings of up to 30% off at Bordinos, Brick House Kitchen, Ella’s, Greenhouse Grille and The Wine Cellar.  Subscriptions can be purchased beginning May 21, 2010 by calling the Walton Arts Center Box Office at 479.443.5600.

Each production is scheduled for a three-week run, with performances Thursdays at 7:30pm, Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:00. Subscription packages are available for each performance time.

TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas’s regional theatre, dedicated to creating exceptional theatrical works and innovative educational programs. For further information, contact TheatreSquared at 479.445.6333 or visit the Theatre's website at theatre2.org.


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TheatreSquared’s 2010/11 education programs are funded in part by Land O’Frost.

Marketing support for The 39 Steps is provided by the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotions Commission.

Support for TheatreSquared is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Martin MillerComment