Seattle's ACT to Feature TRIPLE BILL- One Act Plays by Woody Allen, Steve Martin & Sam Shepard in July 2014

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre under the direction of Artistic Director Kurt Beattie has officially announced the 2014 mainstage season. Next year, ACT has a balance of plays that are smart and beautiful, hilarious and zany, as well as thrilling and suspenseful. Fresh from Broadway is the Seattle premiere of the Tony Award Winner for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, by Christopher Durang. Also on deck for 2014 is the off-Broadway hit, Bethany by Laura Marks. Back from directing the Broadway opening of First Date, director Bill Berry will mount the infamous cult musical hitLittle Shop of Horrors for the intimate Falls Theatre. Heavy hitters and famous authors Sam Shepard, Steve Martin, and Woody Allen will have their one-act plays combine for a summer triple bill, and Arthur Miller's The Price will offer a look at an expertly crafted drama that remains timeless. ACT is honored to work with writer/actor Ayad Akhtar, winner of this year's Pulitzer Prize for Disgraced, on his recent play, a revised version of The Invisible Hand.

"The lineup of plays in 2014 is exactly the kind of season we aim for at ACT. It's a mix that combines a classic heralded writer like Arthur Miller and puts his work right next to new exciting playwrights like Ayad Akhtar and Laura Marks," says artistic director Kurt Beattie. "This is a season about exploring the works of established masters of the theatre as well as boldly taking on new nail-biting and intoxicating works by the most exciting young writers working today."

The previously announced 2014 title of Red Earth, Gold Gate, Shadow Sky by Mark Jenkins has been mutually agreed upon by ACT and the playwright to continue workshop and development efforts towards production at a later date.

Subscriptions for 2014 are on sale now, with priority given to renewing season ticket holders. All mainstage shows are available on the ACTPass monthly membership and will be available for single ticket purchase in February of 2014. All ticket purchases and information are available at www.acttheatre.org or (206) 292-7676.

ACT Theatre's 49th Mainstage Season will appear as follows:

Little Shop of Horrors
(Co-production with The 5th Avenue Theatre)
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman I Music by Alan Menken
Previews begin March 8, Press Opening March 13

This delightfully demented comedy that ran for five years off-Broadway features hapless lovers Seymour and Audrey, a man-eating plant, and a finger-popping trio of doo-wop singers in a hilarious send-up of B-movie horror flicks with an irresistible rock and Motown-style score.

Bethany
Written by Laura Marks
Previews begin April 11, Press Opening April 17

The reality of the economic meltdown as seen through the life of a struggling suburban single mom trying to keep it all together. It all comes down to one big sale, and when the pressure is on, she pushes her own limits to get back everything she wants - including her daughter.

The Price
Written by Arthur Miller
Previews begin May 30, Press Opening June 5

Two grown brothers get a hard lesson in truth and consequences. After taking separate paths in life, their versions of family history collide when they meet after 16 years to settle their late father's estate. The New York Times says, "The Price is one of the most engrossing and entertaining plays that Arthur Miller has ever written."

Triple Bill: An Evening of One Act Plays by Woody Allen, Steve Martin & Sam Shepard
Patter for a Floating Lady by Steve Martin I Riverside Drive by Woody Allen I The Unseen Hand by Sam Shepard
Previews begin July 18, Press Opening July 24

Three celebrated writers and their trio of short plays stretch the imagination with magic, surprise, wonder, and a dose of science fiction fantasy to the summer. Famous for their successes on the big screen and the stage, we take a look at what Martin, Allen, and Shepard bring to their respective short stories.

The Invisible Hand
Written by Ayad Akhtar
Previews begin September 5, Press Opening September 11

When Nick, an American financial guru is captured and held by a militant Islamic organization in Pakistan, he is encouraged to raise his own 10 million dollar ransom. In his desperate quest to gain his freedom, he warms to the task, as does his captor and avid student, Bashir, with terrifying results. An important new voice in the American Theatre, Ayad Akhtar delivers a chilling examination of personal and political responsibility, and the shifting sands of the global power structure.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Written by Christopher Durang
Previews begin October 17, Press Opening October 23

Characters from Chekhov get a modern-day mix up in this hilarious family reunion set in present day Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Three middle-aged siblings come to grips with age, ambition, and lifelong grudges. Serious Russian drama? Not this year.

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only theatre in Seattle dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A theatre of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us through its annual Mainstage play series and Central Heating Lab program. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. With more than 120,000 people who attend shows annually, ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.