Photo Flash: Beowulf Alley Theatre's FLAMING GUNS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Opens 2/26

Beowulf Alley Theatre continues its season with the shoot ‘em up, knock ‘em up, cut ‘em up comic romp, Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage by Jane Martin. Performances are for three weekends only from February 26, 2010 through March 14, 2010. The theatre is located at 11 South 6th Avenue, 85701, in Downtown Tucson between Broadway and Congress.

Tickets may be purchased on our website at www.beowulfalley.org (discount available) or by phone at (520) 882-0555.

Big 8, is facing foreclosure on the Wyoming ranch where she rehabilitates injured rodeo cowboys. The arrival of a shocking woman named Shedevil and a one eyed Ukrainian biker named Black Dog ushers in outrageous violence and horror in this comedy that roasts the cowboy mentality of western writers like Zane Grey. This bodacious and macabre play mixes horror and hilarity as it pits the code of the West against contemporary darkness. May be inappropriate for persons under 13 years old.

The funniest and the wildest...Adds still another dimension to this author's body of work...The laughs are nonstop. - Center Stage

There is some question as to the identity of the mysterious playwright, Jane Martin. She has been referred to as "America's best known, unknown playwright". The name Jane Martin is widely believed to be a pseudonym. She has never made any public appearances or spoken about any of her works. Nor has she ever given an interview. No biographical details are known about her. No photographs of Ms. Martin have ever been published. Many people speculate that Ms. Martin is actually Jon Jory. Mr. Jory denies that he is the writer of Ms. Martin's plays, and has in fact written several plays under his own name.

Steve Anderson tells us, "The reason I chose to direct this play is, first - it's funny as hell. I don't often laugh out loud while reading a script, but this was one of those times. Second, Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage offers a particular challenge to the director as it blends two genres: "Early Cowboy Western" and "B-Horror Flick." What director doesn't like a great challenge, right? It also offered me another venue in which to stage shootings, stabbings, and dismemberment. What fun!!"

Steve's directing credits include West Side Story, Pack of Lies, Rain, Life on the Rez, and Hot L Baltimore. He earned his MFA in Acting at Brandeis University, As a guest artist at Clemson University and UW-River Falls, Steve taught Acting, Relaxation for the Performer, Movement and Combat where he choreographed Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet, respectively. He studied Stage Combat with, and was certified by, David Leong, Broadway's premiere fight director at that time, as well as David Woolley (Chicago). Additional fight direction includes Tartuffe, Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe and Beowulf Alley's Fool for Love. As an actor, he has worked off-Broadway and in regional theatre. In LA, Steve was a member of the Blue Line Theatre Company performing in several noteworthy productions, including the Dramalogue Award-winning play, The Walker Women of Willow Grove, and Telethon with Broadway and film veteran Chuck Stransky. He toured with Obie Award-winner Ralph Lee's Mettawee River Theatre Company in New York and performed on the Summer Stage in Central Park and at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Members of the cast for Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage are Susan Arnold, Holly-Marie Carlson, Jake Chapman, Benjamin Dygert, Lucas Gonzales, Kirsten Long, and Gabe Nagy. The production team includes Tim Bremser (Lighting Designer), Joel Charles (Set Designer), Matthew Copley (Special Visual Effects and Makeup), Bill Galbreath (Scenic Artist), Alex Greengaard (Original Music Composer/Sound Effects), and Angela Walker (Stage Manager/Costume Designer). Produced by special arrangements with Samuel French, Inc.

Performances are as follows:

Friday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. - Preview Performance

Saturday, February 27, 7:30 p.m. - Opening Night with Reception

Sunday, February 28, 1:30 p.m. - Dialogues with... following the performance

Thursdays-Saturdays, March 4 - 6, March 11 - 13, 7:30 p.m.

Sundays March 7 and 14, 1:30 p.m.

Ticket Information:

General single tickets at door or by phone - $20 each

Online discount tickets - $18 each

Flex Passes (4 admissions) - $64 each - That's $16 per ticket!

Student Rush - $12 Cash only with ID - 15 minutes prior to curtain, based on seating availability

Preview Performance - $10 each
Tickets may be securely purchased online at www.beowulfalley.org using PayPal or Google, by phone at (520) 882-0555 or at the door 45-minutes prior to each performance (VISA, MC or Discover debit or credit cards). Payment must accompany reservations.

For more information, log on to www.beowulfalley.org.  

Photos by Scott Griessel/Creatista

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