Second Thought Theatre and Aviation Cinema Present THE MIDWEST TRILOGIES

Second Thought Theatre and Aviation Cinemas, Inc. (Operating Company at the Texas Theatre) today announced the second show in STT's 2012 season: a night of theater and film –The Midwest Trilogy by Eric Steele.

The evening centers around two short films by Steele (Topeka, Cork's Cattlebaron) and a one-man, one-act play (Bob Birdnow's Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self) written by Steele and performed by Barry Nash. Lee Trull, Associate Artist and Brierley Resident Acting Company member at Dallas Theater Center, returns to direct the show following Bob Birdnow's success last summer at the Festival of Independent Theatres with Nash reprising his role as Bob, the reluctant motivational speaker, which garnered him a 2011 DFW Theater Critics Forum Award for Outstanding Actor. Audiences will play an active role in the production during talkbacks as Steele and his team will produce Bob Birdnow as a film immediately following the run of the show.

"Steve and I are very excited that Second Thought can bring this unique experience to life. Bob Birdnow was such a powerful one-act by itself we couldn't wait to bring it to our main-stage. Adding Eric's films only fleshes out and adds to the impact of the evening," said Chris LaBove, STT's Co-Artistic Director. "Each piece is excellent in its own right, but when you combine the three of them in one sitting, the effect is hauntingly beautiful."

The Midwest Trilogy took root four years ago as Steele – then working in corporate sales, travelling heavily throughout the Midwest – began documenting ideas and conversations while on business trips. "It was a time of isolation for me," said Steele. "When you travel frequently, you have time to think and you also become more observant." Steele knew he had the piece to round out his collection when he penned Bob Birdnow on a flight from Des Moines to Dallas. "Once Birdnow was written, it made the other two acts make sense in context and made me realize that they were part of a single tale."

Cork's Cattlebaron centers around two businessman (Brady and Jon) as they have dinner at a steak restaurant in Omaha. Brady, Jon's boss and mentor, receives unexpected news as the 'Old world' meets new after the gorgonzola and pear salad.

Topeka - A young businessman from New York (Layne Edelman) visits a local diner in Topeka while on a business trip through the Midwest. When he returns to his table from a restroom visit, Layne finds that his belongings (briefcase, laptop, phone) gone. Away from home and the city, Layne lashes out at the local regulars sparking a furious Culture Clash over coffee.

Bob Birdnow tells the story of a former pilot who endured a terrible tragedy. In this one-man show, Steele explores the connection between our own survival mechanism and our larger purpose on this earth as human beings.

"This collection was written in a period ranging from 2008 – 2010 but I think they are possibly more relevant today than they were when written" Steele said. "The Midwest has been especially hit hard due to the recession and we've also seen controversy there – clashes of religion and beliefs – this ongoing war of ideals that seems to be rooted in the middle of our country. I'm excited for people to react to these pieces in light of what's happening in our country today".

Second Thought Theatre, in conjunction with Aviation Cinemas, plans to use this event as an opportunity to prepare Bob Birdnow to make the transformation from the stage to the screen, so as to complete Mr. Steele's cinematic trilogy.

STT Co-Artistic Director Steven Walters says, "Eric Steele is one of the most exciting artists in Dallas. His voice is provocative, insightful and wildly entertaining. This evening will be a unique opportunity for audiences to experience Eric's voice as a playwright and film maker and to engage Eric in the beginning stages of making his play become a movie, and making that movie come to life."

With this trilogy, STT hopes to create an unforgettable night of storytelling across multiple media spotlighting a part of the U.S. that is both endearing and chaotic.

Performance dates and times:
The Midwest Trilogy runs March 15, 2012 – April 9, 2012
PREVIEWS: Thursday March 15 at 7:30pm, Friday March 16 at 8:00pm, Saturday March 17 at 8:00pm
*All preview performances are Pay What You Can at the door or $15 online for a reservation

PERFORMANCES: Thursday March 22 at 7:30, Friday March 23 at 8:00, Saturday March 24 at 8:00, Sunday March 25 at 7:30, Monday March 26 at 7:30, Thursday March 29 at 7:30, Friday March 30 at 8:00, Saturday March 31 at 8:00, Sunday April 1 at 7:30, Thursday April 5 at 7:30, Friday April 6 at 8:00, Saturday April 7 at 8:00, Sunday April 8 at 7:30.

OFFICIAL PRESS NIGHT/OPENING NIGHT: Thursday March 22, 2012 at 7:30
INDUSTRY NIGHT, PAY WHAT YOU CAN: Monday March 26, 2012 at 7:30

All shows in STT's 2011-2012 Mainstage Season will be performed in Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys Campus, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd Dallas, TX 75129. To make a donation, become a member, buy tickets or to find out more information, please visit www.2tt.co.

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