Two World Premieres Launch Passage Theater's New Season

Passage Theatre Artistic Director June Ballinger has announced the 2008-2009 season, which will include the world premieres of Amber Kain's darkly comic thriller The Summer House, and Caridad Svich's Instructions for Breathing; as well as the 7th Annual Solo Flights Festival: Passage's popular festival of one-person shows, music and dance. Passage is in residence at the historic Mill Hill Playhouse, located at 205 E. Front Street in Trenton.

The season opens with The Summer House by Amber Kain, directed by Jade King Carroll, October 30 through November 23 (Press Opening November 1). This darkly comic thriller serves an excess of love on the rocks - with a new twist.  Kennedy Sommer, of the wealthy, cultured and inscrutable Manhattan Sommer family, pursues a rushed marriage to a charming stranger she met online.  Oddly, she invites her parents to join her and her new husband on their honeymoon at the family summer house in the Catskill Mountains, and when Kennedy's husband goes missing, the climate turns explosive. 

Solo Flights Festival: Passage's popular festival of one-person shows, music and dance, returns for its 7th season March 5 through March 29.  Featured artists will include The Daily Show's Lauren Weedman in Bust; Michèle LaRue will perform the haunting Victorian tale The Yellow Wallpaper; Carlyle Brown recounts his own journey of self-awareness and identity during his trip to Africa in The Fula from America: An African Journey; and Miche Braden, the star of Passage's hit show The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith returns - this time as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.

In spring 2009, Caridad Svich's Instructions for Breathing, will have its world premiere, directed by Daniella Topol, April 30 through May 24. In a world of hurry, what's the cost of playing? Jon and Sara return home one night to find that their child, Sonya, has mysteriously vanished through a casual act of neglect.  Her disappearance turns her parents - and the community - upside down with regrets, judgments, and gossip; but also galvanizes them to take responsibility for their own fate in today's global and frenetic society.  This lyrical, dreamlike drama exposes tragedy in the modern world - personal, private and public - in a fiercely witty look at love, lies and the language we use to disguise our hearts.

For over 20 years, Passage Theatre has developed and showcased new work by emerging and established playwrights. "Our artistic mission is to produce original works that tests the limits of conventional theater and still speak to a richly diverse audience," said Passage Artistic Director June Ballinger. As a key participant in the revitalization of urban Trenton, Passage presents outstanding plays that celebrate experiences common to all and transcend culture and race.

Performances take place in the historic Mill Hill Playhouse, an intimate 115-seat theater in the heart of downtown Trenton adjacent to the beautiful Mill Hill district (Front and Montgomery Streets). Free secure parking is available on S. Montgomery St., Ernie Kovacs St., E. Front St. and in the Artworks parking lot.

For tickets, membership or directions, please call (609) 392-0766 or visit online at www.passagetheatre.org. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Passage Theatre Office: 219 East Hanover Street in Trenton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm -5:30 pm or at the box office, one hour before each performance at the Mill Hill Playhouse, Front and Montgomery Streets, Trenton.

Accessibility

Passage Theatre is committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to the joy of the performing arts. Passage is dedicated to being a leader in the education and assistance of all organizations, working towards making our programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. To learn more, please contact Passage at (609) 392-0766.

Passage Theatre Company is a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, ArtPride New Jersey, Theatre Communications Group, MTAACC (Metropolitan Trenton African-American Chamber of Commerce, GMCCC (Greater Mercer County Chamber of Commerce), and the newly formed Arts and Business Council of Greater Trenton.

Passage's mainstage season is made possible by: New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; The Times of Trenton; Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard; Bank of America; Capital City Redevelopment Corporation; City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture; WIMG 1300; New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission; Wachovia; Curtis McGraw Foundation; and, RK Mellon Foundation

Photo of Lauren Weedman: James Sims

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