Brave New Workshop Announces The Start Of Their 60th Anniversary Season

The Brave New Workshop Theatre (BNW) is thrilled to kick off their 60th Anniversary Season with the best of show, "Age Against the Machine: BNW's Greatest Hits".

"This year we are celebrating 60 years of 'Promiscuous Hostility, Positive Neutrality', and it seemed so fitting that we bring back some of our best material from over the years," said BNW Entertainment Company President Earl Mollerud. "It's been a heck of a ride for this place, and we're just so grateful to still be here, making people laugh, after 60 years."

Artistic Director Caleb McEwen is excited to honor the legacy of BNW's founder, Dudley Riggs, who recently celebrated his 86th birthday. "The Brave New Workshop is and always has been a place where you can laugh at the hard stuff. I think that would make Dudley proud. He always said his goal was to make people laugh in the theatre and then argue in the car on the way home."

When asked what makes these "Best of" shows different to direct, McEwen is quick to respond. "One of the fun things is how some [sketches] become even more timely, and we realize we were actually ahead of the curve."

"Age Against the Machine: BNW's Greatest Hits" runs through June 16th. All performances are at the Brave New Workshop Theatre main stage at 824 Hennepin Avenue, Downtown Minneapolis. Tickets for "Age Against the Machine" previews and show are on sale now at http://bit.ly/20bSnTt and in the Brave New Workshop box office, which can be reached at (612) 332-6620.

"Age Against the Machine" will feature BNW cast members Lauren Anderson, Denzel Belin, Ryan Nelson, Tom Reed and Melanie Wehrmacher. The show will be directed by Caleb McEwen. Jon Pumper will be the music director, and Matthew Vichlach will provide technical direction.

The Brave New Workshop has been writing, performing and producing sketch comedy and improvisation since 1958 - longer than any other theatre in the United States. Founded by former circus performer Dudley Riggs and currently owned by husband and wife John Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl, the BNW has become a legendary comedy institution, where audiences enjoy improv and sketch comedy nearly every night of the week.

Alums of the Brave New Workshop main stage include Emmy Award winner Louie Anderson, Pat Proft, Mo Collins ("Parks and Rec," "Arrested Development," "Mad TV"), Peter MacNichol ("Ally McBeal," "24"), Melissa Peterman ("Reba"), Cedric Yarborough ("Reno 911," "The Boondocks") and Rich Sommer ("Mad Men," "Harvey").

4The Brave New Workshop's Creative Outreach business services division trains and entertains Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Hilton/Hampton, General Mills, and Target. Additionally, the Brave New Workshop Student Union boasts the most comprehensive improv training curriculum in the country.

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