Actors Theatre of Phoenix Presents CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, Closes 5/8
By: BWW News Desk May. 08, 2011
OBIE WINNER CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION SHOWS THAT LIFE'S TWISTS DON'T NECESSARILY FOLLOW A SCRIPT
Annie Baker's 2010 OBIE-Award winner for Best New American Play, Circle Mirror Transformation, closes out Actors Theatre's 25th anniversary season on May 8 on Stage West at The Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe.
Called "absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny" by The New York Times and a "very compassionate and quite lovely new play from rising young scribe Annie Baker" by The Chicago Tribune, the play follows four students in a small-town Vermont acting class. The four would-be actors, each with their own issues and life challenges, will come away from these acting lessons having a better understanding of their own lives, even if they never end up under the lights of Broadway.
Directed by Paul Barnes, the former Education Director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival whose resume includes productions across the country, the Arizona Premiere of Circle Mirror Transformation features three well-known and highly respected Valley actors: Rusty Ferracane as Schultz, Maren Maclean as Theresa and David Vining as James.
New Phoenix resident Staci Robbins, who brings extensive experience from her acting roles in Virginia, appears as Marty, the class teacher, and Alyson Maloney is Lauren. Maloney has appeared the last four years as a Cratchit kid in Actors Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol, which ended an 18-year run in December. "It's no knock on the class taught by a bohemian middle-aged Marty that anyone looking in from the outside would have to conclude that the lunatics are running the asylum," was how The Los Angeles Times described the community acting class.
And yet, this funny, big-hearted tale is a potent reminder of the impact we can have on each other's lives. The play also will feature the creative behind-the-scenes talents of lighting director Paul Black, costume designer Connie Furr and scenic designer Kimb Williamson. Single-ticket prices range from $18.25 to $36.50 with discounts for seniors, students and groups.
Actors Theatre presents passionate, thought-provoking theatre designed to add to the social dialogue of the community. Our mission is to create professional theatre with a social conscience in an urban setting. The ideas and themes embedded in the work we produce are the framework for civic dialogue within our community. We have built a reputation as the company that takes the most risks and consistently delivers thought-provoking theatre; ensuring an ongoing connection between the plays and the people who attend our performances. Actors Theatre performs exclusively at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Actors Theatre has been named Producing Theatre Company of the Year by the Arizona Theatre Alliance and Arts Organization of the Year by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix.
Comments
Videos