Theatre Nova to Stage POPCORN FALLS by James Hindman This Winter

Theatre NOVA, an Ann Arbor nonprofit company that focuses exclusively on new and recent plays, presents the brand new "Popcorn Falls" by James Hindman.

"Waiting for Guffman" meets "Greater Tuna" in this wacky backstage comedy about the mishaps and mayhem of putting on a play. Welcome to Popcorn Falls, a small American town, whose only claim to fame - their namesake waterfall - has dried up. Now bankrupt, their last chance is a large grant that can only be used if the town produces a play in a week. Led by the Mayor and the local handyman, the enterprising townsfolk try to rise to the challenge and prove that art can save the world.

Jeff Priskorn and JoNathan Jones play 15 roles in this hilarious new play by Michigan native James Hindman and directed by Daniel C. Walker.

"Popcorn Falls" will run January 20 - February 12 in the Yellow Barn (410 W. Huron, Ann Arbor), a downtown performance space. Show times are 8:00p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Sunday matinees start at 2:00p.m. Theatre NOVA features free parking for patrons as well as quick access to the city's restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops.

Tickets are $20, and Theatre NOVA continues its commitment to make theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets for those who need them. Visit TheatreNOVA.org to purchase tickets.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

James Hindman (Playwright) Originally from Mt. Clemens, MI, James is a Broadway actor and prolific writer. As a writer: Off Broadway; "Pete 'N' Keely" (Outer Critics Award nomination, two Drama Desk nominations, Pub. Samuel French); "A Christmas Survival Guide" (Pub. Samuel French); "The Audience" (Drama Desk nomination); "Being Audrey" (NEA Grant recipient) and "The Gorges Motel" (NYFringe Festival 2016, Pub. Dramatist Play Service), "The Drama Department" (Terrence McNally Award finalist, Pub. DPC), "The Bikinis!" (Goodspeed Musicals, Meadowbrook Theatre), "Heaven Help Us," (Denver Center, Carbonell Award nomination). Member: Dramatist Guild of America. As an actor: B'way and tours: "Mary Poppins," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "1776," "City Of Angels," "A Grand Night For Singing," "Once Upon A Mattress," "Falsettos," "Dancing At Lughnasa." Television and Film: Recurring role on "Public Morals," "Madam Secretary," "Forever," "Believe," "Person of Interest," "Hostages," "House Of Cards," "Unforgettable," "Henry's Crime," "The Sopranos," "Law and Order, SVU, CI," "Rescue Me," "The Blacklist," and the upcoming "Iron Fist."

DANIEL C. WALKER (Director) In a 35 year career, Dan has worked on over 350 productions at more than 30 theaters (including the majority of past and present professional theaters in southeast Michigan), and in a dozen states. He has been an Artistic Director (Performance Network), Chair of a Theatre Department (Albion College), and has taught at 8 different colleges and universities. Dan has worked as a Production Manager, Set/Lighting/Sound/Costume Designer and Technician, Stage Manager, Stage Hand, Technical Director, Architectural Theatre Consultant (on 7 different theaters), Dramaturg, and Literary Coordinator. His honors and awards include the Larry Divine Award for Contribution to the Detroit Theatre and a Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in Michigan. He also received Best Director of a Comedy for "Shooting Simone," and "Fuddy Meers" from the Ann Arbor News, along with numerous Best Design awards and nominations from Detroit Free Press, EncoreMichigan.com, the Lansing State Journal, City Pulse, and The Oakland Press. He was the first National Champion of the U.S.I.T.T. Technical Theatre Olympics. He received an MFA in Theatre from The University Of Texas at Austin, and a BA in History from Washington University in St. Louis. Dan is currently Professor of Theatrical Design and Technology at Sienna Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.

JEFF PRISKORN (Actor) has been a working actor, voice artist, and musician for over 20 years. He is excited to join the Theatre NOVA family. He has appeared in dozens of films and commercials, as well as being an original member of the main stage cast at ComedySportz Detroit, an improvisational comedy theatre. Notable projects include TV spots for Auto-Owners Insurance, Gardner-White, and the Detroit Medical Center, and voice projects for Belle Tire, The Henry Ford, and Fiat. Jeff has also starred in several award-winning independent films, including "The Point" (directed by Emmy award winner Chuck Grady), "Side Effects," and "Love & Plutonium," which Jeff directed and co-wrote with his wife. In addition, he and his wife also hosted a travel show, "Small Town America." Jeff has appeared on stage in musicals ("Forever Plaid," "She Loves Me"), plays ("Proof," "Fools") and improv groups all over Michigan.

JoNathan Jones (Actor) This is Jonathan's first production with Theater NOVA. His previous experience includes productions with Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, Rosedale Park Players, Two Muses Theatre, B&B Theatre, and Matrix Theatre including "HeartBeat," "Hastings Street," "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Addams Family," "Dreamgirls," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Guys and Dolls," "Twilight: Los Angeles 1992," "It's a Wonderful Life on the Air," "Every Christmas Story Ever Told," "Sizwe Banzi is Dead," and "Bronzeville Gold."

Theatre NOVA is Ann Arbor's resident professional theater company. Its mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.

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