LE CABARET NOIR Opens Central Heating Lab At ACT 2nd Season 4/17

After a successful inaugural year, the Central Heating Lab at ACT enters its second season with five cutting edge companion pieces to challenge and delight Seattle audiences. Le Cabaret Noir by 4 Horsemen/PURE Cirkus is the first mainstage companion piece of 2009, bringing its spectacular variety-burlesque performance art to the Bullitt Cabaret following Friday and Saturday night performances of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, April 17 - May 9, 2009.

The Central Heating Lab at ACT (CHL) is devoted to nurturing and supporting new works, new talent, and local artists spanning not only theatre, but also cabaret, music, dance, spoken word, film, performance, and visual art. In 2008, there were nearly 40 individual performances of CHL companion pieces. In 2009, CHL is expected to present more than 70 performances. Since January 1, 2009, works by long-term partners and artists-in-residence have included RAWSTOCK, Maureen Whiting Company, and The Moisture Festival, with more on the horizon from Seattle Dance Project and 14/48, among others. Ongoing relationships with individual actors, playwrights and groups such as the New Century Theatre Company, Icicle Creek Theatre Festival, and the ACT New Play Award continue to grow.

"The Central Heating Lab is a thriving, self-sustaining addition to ACT, and brings us closer to realizing our goal of becoming a downtown center for the arts," said ACT Executive Director Carlo Scandiuzzi. "We're redefining what Seattle theatre is. We're exposing new artists to new audiences. And we're leveraging a key asset: our historic, multi-performance space building. The 2009 CHL season is filled with new artists, new partners, and new projects. We're thrilled the community has embraced the Central Heating Lab and we look forward to growing the program this year and beyond."

In 2009, ACT will continue to dedicate significant artistic resources and space to CHL. Projects are categorized as:

New Works Development

Commissions, workshops, readings, theatrical experiments, performance art, and one-time theatrical events that are both fully rehearsed and bare-bones produced. Projects include: the new commissioning program, New Works for the American Stage (Hell Leaves Odessa); The ACT New Play Award program (Sweet Maladies); and new play workshops in partnership with the Icicle Creek Theatre Festival.

Long Term Projects

Developed by collaborative artist teams for ACT's mainstage season, as well as presenting national and international touring companies. These projects, developed over a number of years and possibly culminating in a mainstage production, take a variety of forms, such as literature adaptations, short film and theatre festivals, theatre derived from non-traditional sources and community histories. Projects include: The Pacific Highway South/Highway 99 project, The Iliad, collaborative partnerships with presenters RAWSTOCK, 14/48, Short Stories LIVE at Town Hall, The New Century Theatre Company, and The Moisture Festival; and special projects initiated by a range of artists such as the March/April Pinter Fortnightly play reading series.

Companion Pieces

Produced in conjunction with each mainstage play, these eclectic companion pieces vary greatly and incorporate elements of cabaret, live music, film, improve, dance, installations, symposiums, conversation cafes, and poetry slams. Projects tap into and expand upon themes of each mainstage play. The following events are currently scheduled as part of the 2009 Central Heating Lab season, with more to be announced. Artists and dates are subject to change. All events take place in The Bullitt Cabaret at ACT:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - A Companion Piece

Le Cabaret Noir by 4 Horsemen/PURE Cirkus

A spectacular variety show of Queens and Harlots from all over the Northwest. As the mainstage production Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde examines the blurry line between good and evil, this companion piece take things one stiletto-heel-step further by spotlighting the tantalizing ambiguity of gender-bending performance art. Le Cabaret Noir features fabulous drag queens, boom-pow burlesque, uncanny impersonators, torchy chanteuses and more. A rotating cast of performers includes: Ben De La Crème, Fuschia Foxx, Paula the Swedish Housewife, Ultra, Sydni Deveraux, Ernie Von Schmaltz, Waxie Moon, Indigo Blue, and Boi/y's Club. www.lecabaretnoir.com

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, April 17-18, 24-25; May 1-2, 8-9 at 10:00 p.m., immediately following

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Ticket Price: $20

$10 with the purchase of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ticket

Below the Belt - A Companion Piece

An Evening of Improv by Wing-It Productions

It's the perfect nightcap of whip-smart, lightning fast improvisational comedy! The masterminds behind Jet City Improv bring their latest inventions, This Improvised Life, Twisted Flicks, and Improsia into the Central Heating Lab. These kids know funny.

Dates: Fridays, May 29, June 5 & 12 at 10:00 p.m., immediately following Below the Belt.

Ticket Price: $10

$7 with the purchase of a Below the Belt ticket

 

Das Barbecü - A Companion Piece

Purty Mouth

Seattle's own camped-out country-tonk combo brings out cheeky variety with special guests each week. A little Hedwig, a little Hee-Haw, a lot of heart.

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, Aug.14-15, 21-22, 28-29; Sept. 4-5 at 10:30 p.m., immediately following

Das Barbecü.

Ticket Price: $10

$7 with the purchase of a Das Barbecü ticket

 

Runt of the Litter - A Companion Piece

Open Submissions!

In the spirit of democracy and uncovering the hottest, freshest new talent this city has to offer, The Central Heating Lab at ACT will solicit an open call for Runt of the Litter companion pieces. A detailed letter of intent and proposal must be received before May 15, 2009. For submission information, visit www.acttheatre.org/ CentralHeatingLab.

Dates: Sept. 8 - Oct 11, immediately following selected performances of Runt of the Litter. Schedule to be announced based on artist and venue availability.

Ticket Price: $10

$7 with the purchase of a Runt of the Litter ticket

 

Rock ‘ n' Roll - A Companion Piece

Experience Music Project/Central Heating Lab Symposium

How did rock n' roll serve as a rallying cry for a cultural revolution? What role did ACT's own Allen Theatre play in the cultural landscape of Seattle before 1980? Experience Music Project (EMP) and ACT will join forces to bring audiences a series of unique events that answer these, and other important questions. By tapping into EMP's extensive rock n' roll collections and resources, the Central Heating Lab at ACT will revisit and perhaps uncover some untold stories.

Dates: Mondays, Oct. 19 & 26; Nov. 2 - time to be announced.

Ticket Price: $10

$7 with the purchase of a Rock n' Roll ticket

For the past 44 seasons, ACT's mission has been to inspire our diverse community through theatre that advances our understanding of human life. To dare, excite, and enrich artists and audiences. To steward our many resources. Through The Central Heating Lab, ACT seeks to heat things up and create a conversation with its season that reaches for an even deeper impact.

 

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