The Spiral Theatre Studio (TSTS) is pleased to announce its inaugural season, launching the Salt & Pepper series for "seasoned" citizens with three productions: STORIES MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME, WRINKLES, and CHRISTMAS GUEST. The unique aspect of The Spiral Theatre Studio is the stage-consisting of a Hexagon divided into twelve (12) fully carpeted modular pieces that move upon a fully carpeted floor. Additionally, TSTS will represent under-served markets such as Senior Citizens, African-American writers, Women writers, the LGBT and Environmental Movement communities, by working with them creatively or providing performances that interest their demographic. All performances will take place at The Spiral Theatre Studio (at Paul Michael's The Network) at 242 West 36th Street, NYC, in the heart of the new Theatre district.
"The Spiral Theatre was born out pure necessity. The experience must be molded for an agitated audience who appears ready and willing to take the step beyond passive spectator. Participatory theatre was popular in the 1960's, but had a way of assaulting the audience, sending them back out into world feeling more lost and more alone than ever.
The experience of The Spiral Theatre presupposes a new form in dramatic construction that cordially draws the spectator into the picture, then offers him a metaphysical pencil so that each and every participant has an actual hand in the shaping of the artistic expression and he can see the reflection of his own unique creative style." - Coni Koepfinger, Associate Director TSTS
STORIES MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME
By Ted Swindley (Always...Patsy Cline)
Directed by Paula J. Riley
Starring Suzanne Hayes-Kelly (Film: Isn't it Delicious), Chris Mixon (Figaro, Pearl), Michael Paul Carr, Angela Dirkson (Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge by Durang, NY Premiere), and Stuart Aion.This new play adopted from short stories by Ted Swindley weaves a modern Southern gothic tale of a young man's relationship with the matriarch of his family. With content reminiscent of Tennessee Williams and a style similar to A.R. Gurney's 'Love Letters' and 'Ancestral Voices', this highly theatrical narrative piece will touch
the hearts of audiences who understand the strong influences that grandparents have in their lives.
September 27th - October 20th
Friday-Saturday at 7p.m. and Sunday at 6p.m.
WRINKLES
By Robert F. Benjamin
Directed by Paula J. Riley
Starring Judy Statt, Wendy Merritt, Barbara Miluski, Ashton Crosby, Stu RitzelWRINKLES is an innovative collection of poignant, intertwined short plays that are connected in theme, characters, language and action. They celebrate aging with grace, courage, humor, while exploring quirky but realistic relationships and situations familiar to those of a certain age.
October 25th - November 17th
Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m. & Sunday at 6 p.m.
CHRISTMAS GUEST
By James V. O'Connor
Directed by Paula J Riley
Cast TBD
Michael McGrath has finally broken out on his own to rebuild his life from the ashes of an upbringing at the hands of an abusive alcoholic father. In a tenement apartment in the Bronx on Christmas eve, Michael learns that some ghosts are almost impossible to exorcise.A sincere at how families try to hide their secrets from the people that they love the most. How do you forgive when it's so hard to forget?
November 22nd - December 15th
Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m. & Sunday at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $18 (3 show package for $45) and are now available online at www.SpiralTheatreStudio.com. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ prior to performance.