THE FEVER to Play Actors Theatre, 7/11 & 16

In taking on Wallace Shawn's blistering one-man play, The Fever, well-known Valley actor Mike Lawler battles personal guilt for his good intentions toward the dispossessed without the courage to join the struggle. Actors Theatre presents The Fever July 11 and 16 at Black Theatre Troupe, 1333 E. Washington St. in Phoenix as part of the No Sweat (For You)" summer season.

All tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.actorstheatrephx.org.

The Fever received a 1990 Obie Award for Shawn, who wrote and starred in productions at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Second Stage and the Mark Taper Forum.

The nameless actor in Shawn's gripping monologue lies ill and alone in a dreary hotel room in a poverty-stricken country. A political execution is about to take place beneath his window. Far from the glib comforts of his own life, he struggles with memories and his own conscience, which are challenged by the misery and poverty he sees.

With compassion, eloquence and ruthless self-scrutiny, the playwright discovers that having good intentions is not enough. As the narrator reminisces and agonizes over his own responsibility for the downtrodden, he reaches the inevitable conclusion that the politically correct are guilty themselves unless they take action.

The Fever will be followed by writer and performer Sally Jo Bannow's The Boob Show, Friday, July 18 at 10 p.m., Sunday, July 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m., Scorpius Dance Theatre, with choreography by Lisa Starry, Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 1 at 10 p.m.; A Night With Noel, hosted by Ian Christiansen, Saturday, July 26 at 10 p.m. at 7 p.m.; That's Life: From Sinatra to Sondheim, featuring Kristen Drathman, Rusty Ferracane and Craig Bohmler, Sunday, July 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 10 at 7p.m.; Two Shots, written and performed by Ben Tyler and David Barker, Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m.; and Black and 25 in America, written and performed by Jeremy Gillett, Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.actorstheatrephx.org.

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