STUPID F@#KING BIRD, CONSTELLATIONS and More Set for Omaha Community Playhouse's 2016-17 Alternative Lineup

The Omaha Community Playhouse is announcing its Alternative Programming series for the 2016-17 season. Alternative Programming includes a series of staged readings, special events and play development collaborations. All events are held at OCP.

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The 2016-17 Alternative Programming schedule includes:

African Culture Connection 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
July 8 and 9, 2016
Special event, Hawks Mainstage

The Omaha Community Playhouse is helping to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the African Culture Connection. Free dance and drumming workshops will be presented for both adults and children. Tickets may also be purchased for two performances of a dance concert celebrating the milestone event. This is a family-friendly presentation that will be presented Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The mission of the African Culture Connection is to provide African culture and art experiences to the public to encourage an appreciation for the richness diversity brings to all. Appropriate for all Audiences.

ALL BETS ARE ON
August 22, 2016
Staged reading, Hawks Mainstage
Written by Tony Moton

All Bets Are On is a table read of an original screenplay by Tony Moton, a former columnist at the Omaha World-Herald. The screenplay won second place in the 2003 Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards. It tells the story of the relationship between a twelve-year-old Little League baseball player and his philandering grandfather, set during the summer of 1969 in Chicago. The reading will feature Omaha legend John Beasley and well-known television actor Patricia Belcher, as well as local performers. Contains mature content.

STUPID F@#KING BIRD
September 12, 2016
Staged reading, Drew Theatre
Written by Aaron Posner

A "sort of adaptation" of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov tells the story of an aspiring young director who rampages against the art created by his mother's generation. A nubile young actress wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be. This irreverent, contemporary and very funny remix will tickle, tantalize and incite you to consider how art, love and revolution fuel your own pursuit of happiness. Contains mature content.

STRANGER FROM PARADISE - From the Ground Up
October 17, 2016
Collaboration with the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Drew Theatre

Nebraska director Kevin Lawler previews his newly commissioned work for Opera Omaha, Stranger From Paradise, prior to its world premiere at the Great Plains Theatre Conference in Spring 2017. Part of Opera Omaha's new community co-production series, this opera is an exploration of the love, life and work of the prophetic artist William Blake and his wife and collaborator Catherine Blake. Lawler will provide some insight into this unique creative collaboration and the process of developing his first libretto for an opera. Featuring poetry readings along with pre-recorded musical excerpts, composed by Nebraska native Nevada Jones. An audience Q&A will follow this 45-minute program. An official collaboration with the Great Plains Theatre Conference, From the Ground Up is a workshop that provides a safe and nurturing playground for artists to develop new work for the theatre. The playwright's material will be shared with an audience while still in the developmental phase then will continue to be developed to be included in the next Great Plains Theatre Conference. Appropriate for all Audiences.

BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
October 31, 2016
Staged reading, Drew Theatre
Book by Alex Timbers | Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman

Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson is a musical which takes an exhilarating and raucous look at one of our nation's founding fathers. The life of the seventh president of the United States is reviewed and reinvented with a punk rock score and a contemporary sensibility. Contains mature content.

WORKING
November 14, 2016
Staged reading, Drew Theatre
Adapted by Nino Faso & Stephen Schwartz with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg | Songs by Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Mary Rodgers, Micki Grant, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Birkenhead and Lin-Manuel Miranda | From the book by Studs Turkel

Working is a musical that paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted - the working class. Featuring music by several musical theatre and popular music composers, this musical is an exploration of 26 people from all walks of life. Appropriate for all Audiences.

ELEPHANT'S GRAVEYARD
February 27, 2017
Staged reading, Drew Theatre
Written by George Brant

Elephant's Graveyard is an award-winning play that tells the true story of a tragic collision between a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee, which resulted in the only known lynching of an elephant. Set in September of 1916, the play combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence and revenge. Contains mature content.

CONSTELLATIONS
March 27, 2017
Staged reading, Drew Theatre
Written by Marie Amthor Schuett

This is an original play by award-winning Omaha playwright Marie Amthor Schuett. Two women are good friends and have been for a while. Is it possible that they might be more? How does one start that conversation? What part will their husbands play in it? Constellations is a drama about personal identity and following the heart. Contains mature content.

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Alternative Programming events are free and open to the public with an opportunity for donations. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Some events may be intended for mature audiences.

The Omaha Community Playhouse is supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Established in 1924, the Omaha Community Playhouse is the largest community theatre in the United States based on memberships sold and facility size, among other factors. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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