Rising Action Theatre Announces 2011 - 2012 Season

RISING ACTION THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON

Rising Action Theatre announced its 2011-2012 Fifth Anniversary Season. Five plays and musicals, celebrating the diversity and promoting tolerance through the theatre arts, will comprise the Season, beginning in September. The plays are:

September 9 - October 9

"As Bees in Honey Drown"

October 21 - November 20

The South Florida Premier of "Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Musical"

January / February

Either "I Am My Own Wife" or "Zanna Don't - the Musical" (subject to royalty rights)

March / April

"Torch Song Trilogy"

May / June

"Jerker - or The Helping Hand"

"As Bees in Honey Drown" will play from September 9 through October 9 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. This 'wry confectionery, extremely entertaining fable' (NY Times) will kick-off their fifth season and will be directed by theatre icon, Avi Hoffman. Acclaimed playwright Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Sister Act, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar)spins a sexy and very funny tale of a young gay writer caught in the excitement of finding a rich socialite patron, Alexa Vere de Vere. A campy diva, who claims Auntie Mame as her chief inspiration, Alexa is a self-described promoter of British rock stars, and is now in the market for an even greater dose of fame. When she sees a near naked photo of a young gay novelist named Evan Wyler, Alexa is certain she's found the right man to do the job. And Evan thinks he's found his destiny fulfilled.

"A delicious souffle of a satire" - NY Times

"A gleeful bon mot-filled eclair" - The New Yorker

"Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Musical" will play from October 21 - March 20, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. This South Florida Premiere will be directed by Producing Artistic Director Andy Rogow. With Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff, Thrill Me is based on the true story of Leopold and Loeb, the so-called thrill killers who murdered a young boy in 1924 in order to commit the perfect crime. While this crime was previously depicted in the film dramas Rope and Compulsion, this is the first musical version, and the most frank in revealing the couple's mutual sexual attraction. It has been performed in over 50 productions worldwide to great acclaim; its Off-Broadway run at the York Theatre was nominated for both Drama Desk and Outer Circle Awards.

"Breathtaking" - NY Times

"Fascinating" - NY Post  

In January/February (subject to rights), they will present either the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning one person drama I Am My Own Wife by Douglas Wright or the South Florida premiere of Zanna Don't - A Musical Fairy Tale, the Off-Broadway hit (originally starring Jai Rodriguez) by Tim Acito, set in a high school where gay is normal and straights are the outsiders.

In March and April, Rising Action presents a classic - Torch Song Trilogy. This award-winning and popular work by Harvey Fierstein broke new ground in the theatre - bringing an honest portrayal of gay life to the Broadway stage, winning the Tony Award for Best Play, and ultimately filmed as a major motion picture.

To end the season in May and June, they'll present another iconic play by one of the pioneers of gay theatre, Robert Chesley Jerker -or- The Helping Hand. The two-character play traces the relationship that develops between a disabled Vietnam veteran, J. R., and a businessman, Bert, who only relate through phone sex, and will be directed by Jerry Jensen, who helmed the current long-running Two Boys in a Bed.... Highly controversial in time, Jerker has subsequently been considered "one of the most important pieces of gay theater ever created".

David Goldyn, Executive Artistic Director, declared, "We're very excited about this Fifth season. We have five great shows, which include some new premieres and new talent, as well as showcasing some classic shows and actors that our audiences have come to know and respect. I will be spending more time in New York this year, and while I will be active with the Theatre this season, the day-to-day running of Rising Action will be in the capable hands of Andy Rogow, Producing Artistic Director, and Jerry Jensen, Managing Director". 

Single Tickets are available for $35.00 each on the website www.risingactiontheatre.com or by calling 1-800-595-4849. Season Ticket Flex Passes are available - FOUR SHOWS for only $100 ($25 per ticket) - good for one year.

Rising Action's Fifth Anniversary Season is being underwritten by generous grants of The Community Foundation of Broward and the Florida Dept. of State, Division of Cultural Affairs & the Florida Arts Council.

Rising Action Theatre, 1480 SW 9th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

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