INVISIBLE THEATRE S 40 YEARS OF GREATNESS

Transcription

1 Invisible Theatre Contact: Cathy Johnson or Susan Claassen Administration: (520) Box Office: (520) N. First Avenue, Tucson, AZ INVISIBLE THEATRE S 40 YEARS OF GREATNESS August 6, 2010, Tucson, AZ; Susan Claassen, Invisible Theatre s Managing Artistic Director, announced the Invisible Theatre s 40th anniversary landmark season by saying, I can hardly believe it has been 40 years. Remember the war in Vietnam was raging, Nixon was President of the United States, the 26th amendment to the US Constitution was ratified granting 18 year olds the right to vote and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened in Washington D.C., while in Tucson, Arizona a group of poor, idealistic, young artists got together to create an arena for new playwrights. They produced a different kind of theatre for an adventuresome audience. The name Invisible Theatre was chosen because of that invisible energy that flows between performers and an audience that makes the magic of theatre - a magic that s based on pure imagination... Playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. Our theatrical line-up is one of the most imaginative, entertaining and creative seasons in our 39 year history! All of our mainstage productions will be Tucson premieres and five of the plays will be Southwest premieres! We are also honoring our stellar history of new play development with FIRST TAKES - IT s 40th Anniversary Play Reading Series featuring 3 playwrights who have long been associated with the IT: Scott Carter (one of our founders), Elaine Romero and Janet Neipris. Another highlight will be our Painting the Town Red Celebration Cabaret featuring a musical salute to our past four decades! We will have artists coming in from all across the country to join with Tucson s crème de la crème for an unforgettable show! We promise each production will continue our reputation as being a true Tucson original providing quality entertainment you can t get anywhere else!

2 OUR 40 TH ANNIVERSARY MAINSTAGE SEASON MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS A zany comedy by Ron Hutchinson Southwest Premiere September 14 - October 3, 2010 Directed by Betsy Kruse Craig Made possible in part through the generous support of Bob and Mary Ann Stubbs This wildly funny tale illuminates the business of movie-making during the golden age of Hollywood. Legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of Gone with the Wind. He sends for screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls director Victor Fleming from The Wizard of Oz. Subsisting on a diet of bananas and peanuts, they spend five days crafting a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful films of all time! Frankly, my dear, this is one funny play. -Daily News 2 ACROSS A comedy of crosswords and romance by Jerry Mayer Southwest Premiere November 9-28, 2010 Directed by Gail Fitzhugh Made possible in part through the generous support of Vivian Cox, David Hendricks and Dee Dee Samet This Off-Broadway critically acclaimed comedy displays the twists and turns of love which knows no age. Two strangers board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 AM. They re alone, each is married, both are doing The New York Times crossword. When he tosses his puzzle away, she snaps, Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish, succeed, those who don t, fail. Now he vows to finish. Why?? Must see play of the year. Witty. Mesmerizing. -Beverly Hills Lookout

3 MY MOTHER'S ITALIAN, MY FATHER'S JEWISH AND I'M IN THERAPY! Starring Steve Solomon January 15 & 16, 2011 Directed by Andy Rogow Berger Performing Arts Center (1200 W. Speedway, Tucson, AZ) Ticket price: $42 Made possible in part through the generous support of the Milton and Elizabeth Kahn Fund of the L&R Lawrence Family Foundation Twice the holidays! Twice the hollering! Twice the guilt! Direct from the sold-out extended Off- Broadway run, this hilarious comedy is one part lasagna, one part kreplach and two parts Prozac. Written by and starring Steve Solomon, who creates astounding characterizations as he tells stories of the wacky side of the human condition. Amazing! Hysterical! A wonderful show! I still hurt from laughing! -Broadwayworld MIRACLES An evocative drama by Frank Higgins Southwest Premiere February 1-20, 2011 Directed by Susan Claassen Made possible in part through the generous support of Dr. Robert and Sandy Maxfield An autistic girl, Eve, is suddenly recognized as a savant. Her teacher, Kate, has applied the controversial technique of facilitated communication (FC) to get her to speak and what pours out are simple but lovely poems. Kate wants to publish the poetry but must first convince Eve s father that his daughter has found a voice. Is Eve really talking? Is FC an authentic treatment? Are we sometimes guilty of half-creating what we wish to see? This gripping play explores the nature of faith by delving into the mysterious realm of autism. MIRACLES is one of those rare plays that is at once thought provoking, uplifting and lasting. -Bristol Herald PAINTING THE TOWN RED! A Celebration Cabaret Honoring 40 Years of Greatness! April 9 & 10, 2011 Directed by Susan Claassen Berger Performing Arts Center (1200 W. Speedway, Tucson, AZ) Ticket price: $42 Made possible in part through the generous support of Sonora Investment Management Join us as we Paint the Town Red with our Ruby Anniversary star-studded concert hosted by Mols (Molly McKasson) and Suz (Susan Claassen)! Highlights of Invisible Theatre s 40 years will come to life as we pay tribute to our stellar history. Some of your favorite guest artists gather including (among others) Tucson's own Lisa Otey, Khris Dodge, Pete Swan, Liz McMahon, Betsy Kruse Craig and guest artists Steve Ross, Amanda McBroom, Richard Glazier, Nancy Davis Booth, Rain Pryor and Ken Page plus many more surprises!

4 PREMIERE! A charming comedy by Dale Wasserman May 3-22, 2011 Directed by James Blair Made possible in part through the generous support of Dr. Bella Eibensteiner This hilarious and touching comedy/mystery by Tony Award winning Dale Wasserman tells the tale of a famous comedic playwright who decides to prove to the world that he can write more than fluff. But would it be possible to write a play that would be universally accepted as Shakespeare? A zany series of events leads to the discovery of a new play by the Bard. Will the truth be uncovered or will the literary world be fooled forever? Best Original Play arizoni Theatre Awards of Excellence SEASON EXTRAS Scott Carter in CARTER A LA CARTE 3 performances only December 3, 4 and 5, 2010 Ticket price: $30 An evening of new, funny and touching short pieces by multiple Emmy-nominee and Invisible Theatre co-founding member Scott Carter. Revel in the rants, reveries and reminiscences of family, baseball, love, movies and Tucson by the Executive Producer/Writer of HBO s Real Time with Bill Maher and TV Guide Network s Curb The Discussion. Scott Carter is just the kind of humorist I love. He s smart, real and funny. I m jealous. -Garry Shandling Susan Claassen in A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD An Evening of Wit, Wisdom and a Whisper of Gossip! By Paddy Calistro and Susan Claassen 4 performances only, March 3, 4 and 5, 2011 Ticket price: $30 Made possible in part through the generous support of Kristin Keller and Bernie Bauer Sparkling tales of humour, ambition, gossip and glamour, as Hollywood design diva Edith Head lives again in a fascinating and critically acclaimed performance. Edith Head comes to life in a way that s so perfectly accurate -The New York Times

5 FIRST TAKES INVISIBLE THEATRE S 40 TH ANNIVERSARY PLAY READING SERIES THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY by Scott Carter December 6 & 7, 2010 Directed by Scott Carter Ticket price: $10 The life and teaching of history s most noted figure is delightfully debated by three men who were almost as famous as He was. LOOK MA, WE RE DANCING by Janet Neipris December 10 & 12, 2010 Directed by Gail Fitzhugh Ticket price: $10 This new comedy by Janet Neipris, author of NATIVES, is about sibling rivalry gone awry with two sisters who still fight for attention from their long, deceased mother. WETBACK by Elaine Romero December 11 & 12 (evening) Directed by Samantha Wyer Invisible Theatre (1400 N. First Ave at Drachman) Ticket price: $10 The play charts the intertwined fates of a privileged Latina high school principal and the Mexican undocumented worker who she fires to protect her job. The irrevocable consequences of her choice force her to question herself and her position in the community.

6 INVISIBLE THEATRE SINGLE TICKET PRICES MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIAS (September 15 October 3, 2010) 2 ACROSS (November 10-28, 2010) MIRACLES (February 2 20, 2011) PREMIERE! (May 4 11, 2011) Tuesday Preview $18 Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday matinees $25 CARTER A LA CARTE (December 3 5, 2010) A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD (March 3 5, 2011) All Performances $30 FIRST TAKES (PLAY READING SERIES) All Performances $10 THE BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SINGLE TICKET PRICES MY MOTHER S ITALIAN, MY FATHER S JEWISH AND I M IN THERAPY! PAINTING THE TOWN RED! A Celebration Cabaret All Performances $42 To purchase tickets or for information: BOX OFFICE Call (520) to charge by phone Visit the Invisible Theatre Lobby (1400 N. First Ave at Drachman) Discounts available for groups of ten or more Visa, M/C and American Express are accepted Season Tickets for the th Anniversary Season (6 shows) are available for $160 plus a $5 handling fee. Rush Tickets: One half-hour prior to curtain for any scheduled performance, tickets may be purchased for half price, subject to availability. Wheelchair Access: The Invisible Theatre and The Berger Performing Arts Center are fully accessible to patrons using wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges. Seating areas to accommodate persons using wheelchairs are located in the theatres. If patrons require special seating they should call the Box Office at (520)