DIY Theatre Plans the Unplannable with 52 PICK UP

DIY Theatre has taken inspiration from the past year and a half of the pandemic and is putting unpredictability center stage in the first show of their season, 52 Pick-Up!

Written by TJ Dawe and Calgarian Rita Bozi, directed by Shelby Reinitz, 52 Pick-Up marks the return of in-person performances for DIY Theatre running October 28 to October 31.

Giving Calgarians the option to enjoy a non-spooky event over Halloween weekend, 52 Pick-Up promises to be no less exhilarating than your typical thriller as the show is performed in random order every single performance. The cast, the crew and the audience will have no idea what is in store from one card to the next. As the show begins and the cards are scattered all over the stage, there is a heightened element of the unknown as we all embark on the journey together.

With COVID-19 protocols in place and proof of vaccine required, Calgarians can enjoy this one-of-a-kind performance while enjoying a custom-made cocktail specifically curated for 52 Pick-Up and some light concession fare. If one really wanted to make a weekend of it, you could attend all 6 performances and never see the same show twice. Acknowledging that it is Halloween weekend, costumes are welcome and encouraged for our October 30 & 31 performances.

Synopsis:

The story this play tells is spread over 52 scenes. The titles of the scenes are written on separate cards of a regular deck. 52 scenes are performed in a random and different order every time. In the opening sequence, the deck is tossed in the air. The cards scatter all over the stage.

One card is picked up at a time by the performers, at random. The title is read, the scene is performed. Another card is picked up (at random). The scenes tell a story. About two women and their relationship. From the first meeting to the break-up and everything in between. The odds of seeing the same show twice is 1 in 8,065,817,510,9438,785.

Quotes:

Director Shelby Reinitz says the following things about 52 Pick-Up:

"52 Pick-Up is a wild ride. You never get the same show twice, and you never know how the journey is going to play out. It can start on a really cute or romantic note, or right at the end of the relationship, and hit you in the heart with all the feels. It's kind of like a choose your own adventure for your heart".

"When Madeline and Irene read together during auditions, they may as well have dropped the mic right then and there. It was the easiest casting choice in the world. And the fact it gives us the opportunity to inject a queer story line into the play, it brings the whole show to another level."

"Returning to live theatre is a joyous experience. The energy in the room is electric, the connection between the performers is magnetic...I can only hope that audiences make it a priority to catch this show before it disappears!"

Featuring:

Performed out of DIY's new home, Work Nicer Coworking (Rail Yards location), event space turned found theatre space, the stunning Hemingway Room provides the stage for 52 Pick-Up. This exciting new performance space is brought to life with 52 Pick-Up's starring cast members, Irene Poole as M and Madeline Hunter Smith as W.

Show Dates:

The show runs every day from Thursday, October 28 to Sunday, October 31. There is a very limited six performances over the four days.

Thursday, October 28 - 7:30pm

Friday, October 29 - 7:30pm

Saturday, October 30 - 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, October 31 - 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased online at www.diytheatre.org. Tickets are $25.00 each.

DIY Theatre:

DIY Theatre aims to provide Calgarians with opportunities to live creatively and actively engage with the arts, be it in big ways or small. We are excited by the opportunities of the city we live in and the people we are able to serve. DIY's productions, programs & community are central to achieving this goal.

DIY also does things differently. Unlike conventional theatre, they aim to break down barriers and hone in on sharing the experience. Their programming focuses on drawing in the audience. Members engage with the work and their company: they see their audience as active co-creators. Under the artistic direction of Shelby Reinitz, previous DIY Theatre productions include: Trial By Faith: A Faustian Tale, Trauma by Hope McIntyre, Much Ado About Nothing, A Doll's House: Wild Rose, Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies and Closer by Patrick Marber.

Further Information

Facebook: @DIY Theatre

Twitter: @diytheatreyyc

Instagram: @diytheatreyyc

Website: www.diytheatre.org

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