SMART PRETTY FUNNY Premiere, 'I'LL EAT YOU LAST' and More Set for Amphibian Stage's 2016 Season

Amphibian Stage Productions (Kathleen Culebro, Artistic Director) has announced programming for its seventeeth season.

On the Main Stage, Amphibian will debut a world premiere, Smart Pretty Funny by Kathleen Culebro, two regional premieres, I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers by John Logan and Crossing the Line by Kieran Lynn, as well as Isaac's Eye by Lucas Hnath.

Amphibian will continue to develop new plays in its staged reading series with De Troya by Caridad Svich, Mystic in the Savage State by David A. Miller, and The Pleasure Trials by Sarah Saltwick.

Additionally, Amphibian will host Concrete Temple Theatre's Geppetto: Extraordinary Extremities by Renee Philippi as well as a series of stand-up comedians. Featured comedians for 2016 include Kyle Kinane, Ryan Singer, Emily Maya Mills, Jackie Kashian, and Baron Vaughn.

National Theatre Live screenings for 2016 will include William Shakespeare's Coriolanus, starring Tom Hiddleston, and As You Like It, as well as Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. More titles to be added throughout the season.

Season memberships are now available, starting at $160. For tickets and more information, patrons may call 817-923-3012, email boxoffice@amphibianstage.com, or visit amphibianstage.com. The theater is located at 120 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76104.

2016 artist biographies and photos can be found here.

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The Main Stage Plays:

Isaac's Eye by Lucas Hnath

February 11 - March 6, 2016

Is it okay to endorse a lie if the lie tells a better story? For Isaac Newton the line between reality and hypothesis has never been clear. When a rival puts his scientific ideas to the test, Newton's fierce ambition to win an argument may jeopardize his entire life's work. Isaac's Eye is a comedy about the unscrupulous acts we commit to attain fame, success, and love.

I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers by John Logan, a regional premiere

April 7 - May 1, 2016

Broadway's Karen Murphy stars in this buoyant and witty solo piece that the New York Times calls "a delectable soufflé of a show." Cozy up with Hollywood agent Sue Mengers as she invites you for an evening of indulgent gossip from her illustrious career working with box office luminaries Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, Ali McGraw and others. Expect a fast, funny, and frank rendezvous when this fiery and foul-mouthed raconteur starts to dish.

Crossing the Line by Kieran Lynn, a regional premiere

July 14 - August 7, 2016

When a relaxing afternoon walk turns into a wacky international crisis, lovebirds Arthur and Olivia have no choice but to play by the absurd rules. The two must closely rely on each other to escape the consequences of a ridiculous new policy, but a comically by-the-book government official may push them to the brink of breaking up. Crossing the Line is a hilarious play about the physical and emotional lines we draw and how they divide and define us.

Smart Pretty Funny by Kathleen Anderson Culebro, a world premiere

October 20 - November 13, 2016

People say that there is someone for everyone, but when fate sends a letter to every person on Earth revealing their one true love, Meg is left alone without a match. Confused and hurt while her boyfriend flies across the world to meet his new love, she turns to her family and finds that she may just be better off without a soul mate. Smart Pretty Funny is a provocative and charming comedy about love, commitment, and chance.

Individual tickets for main stage plays are $33. Group discounts are also available for parties of ten or more. Performances Thursday-Saturday are at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

The Staged Readings:

De Troya by Caridad Svich

May 15, 2016 at 2pm

May 16, 2016 at 7pm

A mysteriously wounded girl washes on shore and meets young Mara on the riverbank. Worried sisters Lupe and Lena wonder if tonight is the night that their niece will disappear without a trace. Nostalgic Horacio drives his restless grandson away with another rambling story from his childhood.

Boiling under the surface of a violent city, two families wrestle with rebellion, regret, and loss of faith. De Troya is a beautifully mythical story about how the weight of our memories can create an insatiable longing for salvation.

Mystic in the Savage State by David A. Miller

September 11, 2016 at 2pm

September 12, 2016 at 7pm

In 1892 Mary Calkins is the first female professor of psychology at Wellesley College, but her unusual research interests may cost her coveted position at the university. When she turns to a trusted colleague for support, he won't risk his reputation to save hers. Mystic in the Savage State is a smart and stirring play about how one woman's self-reliance and persistence leads her to achieve greatness.

The Pleasure Trials by Sarah Saltwick

December 4, 2016 at 2pm

December 5, 2016 at 7pm

When Rachel and Callie start clinical trials on their new female libido enhancement drug willing participants come out of the woodwork looking for an internal revolution. Quickly after the first dose, the effectiveness of the medicine is undeniable, but the overwhelming pressure for its success may corrupt the experiment and everyone involved. The Pleasure Trials is an insightful and entertaining examination of women, sexual desire, and the burden of expectations.

Individual tickets for staged readings are $17.

Season Addition:

Geppetto: Extraordinary Extremities by Renee Philippi

March 17 - 20, 2016

Backstage at the greatest puppet show in the world, solo Geppetto faces many challenges as he rehearses the legendary love story of Perseus and Andromeda. When broken limbs, three-headed dogs, and a missing scene partner threaten to cancel the show, he must perform the toughest role of his career. Geppetto: Extraordinary Extremities is a charming and romantic play about how we improvise when all of the odds are against us.

Individual tickets for Gepetto: Extraordinary Extremities are $20. Performances will be Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, with 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Stand-Up Comedy Series:

Kyle Kinane
February 23, 2016 at 8pm

Kyle Kinane has appeared on @midnight, Conan, Workaholics, and Comedy Bang! Bang! He can be heard as the voice of Comedy Central and in various animated programs such as Regular Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Bob's Burgers, TripTank and the feature film EPIC, among others. His first one hour special, Kyle Kinane: Whiskey Icarus, aired on Comedy Central in 2012.

Ryan Singer
May 20 - 21, 2016 at 8pm

Ryan Singer's debut album "How to Get High Without Drugs" and sophomore release "Comedy Wonder Town"were selected as Top 10 Comedy CD's of the year (2010 & 2012). He is the creator and host of "Me & Paranormal You," the twice-weekly mindcast (podcast) in which he has in-depth interviews with people who possess paranormal abilities or have had extraordinary experiences. He was selected by LA Weekly as one of "10 LA Comics to Watch" for 2014, was mentioned in NY Magazine as a "Comic to Watch," was one of 4 finalists in the original CMT's Next Big Comic Contest, is a frequent guest on the WTF Podcast w/Marc Maron and the Bob & Tom Show, and his joke "United Snacks of America" has over 7 million listens on Pandora.

Emily Maya Mills
June 2 - 3, 2016 at 8pm

Emily Maya Mills is an actor, writer and stand-up comic based in Los Angeles. She's been seen on Parks and Recreation, Ellen, Conan, Childrens? Hospital, Key and Peele, Harry's Law, Comedy Bang Bang and The Birthday Boys on IFC, as well as many of television?s weirder commercials. Emily has been a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles since 2006. In 2013, her one woman show, God Hates Figs, recieved glowing reviews from the LA Weekly and played to sold out audiences over a six month run. Her three-woman sketch group, Birds of Prey, won Best Sketch Group in a Punchline Magazine survey and continues to produce exclusive videos for FunnyorDie.com and Cracked.com. Emily has been named an "Up-and-Coming Comedienne You Should Be Laughing At" by TheFrisky.com, 2013's Comics to Watch by SOmagazine.com, and a "Funny Female to Follow on Twitter" by the Huffington Post.

Jackie Kashian
June 10 - 11, 2016 at 8pm

Jackie Kashian's comedy is like listening to a really racy episode of All Things Considered. She is a national touring comic with a new hour standup special "This Will Make an Excellent Horcrux." She recently made her late night comedy debut on the Conan O'Brien show, has her own half hour special on Comedy Central, was a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing and has recorded This American Life with Ira Glass for NPR. She has a weekly Podcast where she interviews people about their obsessions, The Dork Forest.

Baron Vaughn
August 29 - September 3 at 8pm

Baron Vaughn returns to Amphibian, after sold-out appearances in 2015, for a week-long residency devoted to developing new material.

Baron Vaughn is a series regular on Netflix's Grace and Frankie in the role of 'Bud.' The first season is streaming on Netflix, and the second season is currently in production. He was also a series regular on USA Network?s Fairly Legal (2010-2012). He has appeared in the films Black Dynamite, Cloverfield, and The Other Guys (Deleted Scenes). As a comedian, Baron?s performed stand-up on Conan (twice), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and has had numerous appearances on Comedy Central most recently in the form of his own ?Half Hour? comedy special. He?s performed in the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (Aspen), The Just for Laughs Comedy Festival (Montreal), The South Beach Comedy Festival (Miami), Moontower Comedy Festival (Austin), San Francisco Sketchfest, Bridgetown Comedy Festival (Portland), Vancouver Comedy Festival, All Points West Music Festival (New Jersey), FYF Music Festival (Los Angeles), Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (TN), and Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival (Seattle). Baron also has a comedy recording, "Raised By Cable," produced by AST Records.

Individual tickets for stand-up comedy performances are $15.

National Theatre Live:

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

January 13 & 16, 2016

Shakespeare's searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, Coriolanus features an Evening Standard Award-winning performance from Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse, BBC's The Hollow Crown) in the title role, directed by Donmar's Artistic Director Josie Rourke. The full company includes Jacqueline Boatswain, Peter De Jersey, Alfred Enoch, Deborah Findlay, Hadley Fraser, Mark Gatiss, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Elliot Levey, Rochenda Sandall, Helen Schlesinger, Mark Stanley and Dwane Walcott.

When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens' hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.

Jane Eyre, devised by the Company

February 17, 2016

Almost 170 years on, Charlotte Brontë's story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman's fight for freedom and fulfillment on her own terms.

From her beginnings as a destitute orphan, Jane Eyre's spirited heroine faces life's obstacles head-on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal before making the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

This acclaimed re-imagining of Brontë's masterpiece was first staged by Bristol Old Vic last year, when the story was performed over two evenings. Director Sally Cookson now brings her celebrated production to the National, presented as a single, exhilarating performance.

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

March 16, 2016

Shakespeare's glorious comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years, with Rosalie Craig (London Road, Macbeth at MIF) as Rosalind.

With her father the Duke banished and in exile, Rosalind and her cousin Celia leave their lives in the court behind them and journey into the Forest of Arden. There, released from convention, Rosalind experiences the liberating rush of transformation. Disguising herself as a boy, she embraces a different way of living and falls spectacularly in love.

Individual tickets for National Theatre Live screenings are $20. Group discounts are also available for parties of ten or more. Performances Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, and Saturdays at 1pm. National Theatre Live screenings take place in the auditorium of The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.

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Amphibian Stage Productions is a non-profit theatre company founded in 2000 by three alumni of TCU's Department of Theatre who strive to produce innovative and engaging works of theatre that challenge the way we see the world around us. Now in its seventeenth season, Amphibian has produced numerous groundbreaking and challenging plays (some regional premieres, others US or world premieres) that foster a deeper understanding of ourselves as members of the global community. The company is widely recognized for its stylistically and thematically varied scripts.

Committed to nurturing young and diverse audiences, Amphibian has developed a strong internship program, a summer acting workshop for teens, and a dynamic outreach project, Tad-Poles, that is steadily increasing the company's visibility and following. The group travels to schools and community centers, performing and spreading a message of multicultural collaboration and tolerance.

National Theatre Live is The National Theatre of Great Britain?s initiative to broadcast live performances from the National?s stages to cinemas worldwide. Since its first season, which began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Helen Mirren, over half a million people have now experienced the National?s acclaimed work on movie screens around the world.

National Theatre Live performances are filmed live in high definition and broadcast via satellite to almost 400 cinemas around the world, live in Europe and some US cities, and time-delayed in countries further afield. There are over 100 venues in the UK alongside venues in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scandinavia, and Europe. The performances at the National are nominated in advance to allow cameras greater freedom in the auditorium.

Concrete Temple Theatre is a multi-disciplinary company that emphasizes the creation of compelling new theatre works, incorporating drama, dance, puppetry, music, and the visual arts, which focus on the individual?s struggle for identity and society?s struggle for cohesion. Through touring their shows and presenting workshops in New York City, nationally, and internationally, Concrete Temple strives to bring myth and ritual back to the centre of dialogue, while making connections and opportunities for diverse audiences to question and examine their place in the world.

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