Yankee Tavern Set For ACT Theatre 7/30-8/29

From the acclaimed playwright who brought to ACT the world premiere of Becky's New Car (2008), comes the Seattle premiere of Yankee Tavern, a taut edge of your seat political thriller written and directed by Steven Dietz. Set in a New York dive bar five years after 9/11, Yankee Tavern tells the story of tavern owner Adam (Shawn Telford), his fiancée Janet (Jennifer Lee Taylor), and two barflies, Ray (Charles Leggett) a conspiracy buff with theories about everything from marriage ("secretly financed by an offshore consortium of big-box stores") to the fall of communism ("a Communist plot!"), and the mysterious Palmer (R. Hamilton Wright), who seems to know more than he should about the events that forever changed the landscape of our country and our psyche.
"A mixture of humor, intrigue, and darkness, Yankee Tavern keeps us guessing about the truth," said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. "Like all the dim bars, frequented by ghosts and memory, which have enriched the American theatre, the Yankee Tavern becomes that dangerous joint some of us may have visited before, a place where you might overhear, purely by accident, a story you know was never intended for your ears, but one you simply can't stop listening to."

Yankee Tavern marks Steven Dietz's 10th play at ACT (seven as world premieres). Since 1983, Steven Dietz's more than 30 plays have been seen at over 100 regional theatres in the United States, as well as Off-Broadway. Yankee Tavern was commissioned by the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ. Written in 2007, it was a highly praised selection from the 2007 1st Stage New Works Festival before it premiered at Florida Stage in the spring of 2009.

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Charles Leggett Ray
Jennifer Lee Taylor Janet
Shawn Telford Adam
R. Hamilton Wright Palmer

Production Team
Steven Dietz Director
Matthew Smucker Scenic Designer
Marcia Dixcy Jory Costume Designer
Rick Paulsen Lighting Designer
Brendan Patrick Hogan Sound Designer
Jeffrey K. Hanson Stage Manager

Performance Schedule:

Fri., July 30, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., July 31, 8:00 p.m.

Sun., August 1, 7:30 p.m. (Pay What You Will)

Tue., August 3, 7:30 p.m. (Behind The Scenes 6:00 )

Wed., August 4, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., August 5, 7:30 p.m. OPENING NIGHT!

Fri., August 6, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., August 7, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sun., August 8, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tue., August 10, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., August 11, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., August 12, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Pay What You Will 2:00 ONLY)

Fri., August 13, 8:00 p.m. (Tastings 6:30 )

Sat., August 14, 8:00 p.m.

Sun, August 15, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tue., August 17, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., August 18, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., August 19, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., August 20, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., August 21, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sun., August 22, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Wed., August 25, 7:30 p.m.

Thurs., August 26, 7:30 p.m.

Fri., August 27, 8:00 p.m.

Sat., August 28, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sun., August 29, 2:00 p.m.

ACT Special Events (open to the public):

Behind the Scenes, Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Before the Tuesday night preview of a Mainstage production, Artistic Director Kurt Beattie and members of ACT's artistic team give you the heads-up and the lowdown on what it takes to make that night's magic. Seeing the show another night? Don't let that stop you; we still welcome you to come for the Behind-the-Scenes chat! Brought to you by KING FM with delicious bites provided by Joanie's Catering.

Tastings, Friday, August 13, 2010

ACT unveils a delicious new tradition: beers, wines, and beverages from around the world, paired with local artisan foods-all matched to fit the theme of our mainstage productions! Keith Johnsen, host of last year's Beer Tastings, will search his vast collection of spirits, as well as the bountiful variety of local markets, to procure the perfect show-themed treats for you. Please join us for this new and exciting FREE event!

Apple Series, Wednesday, August 18, 2010
ACT's Apple Series includes a ticket to each Wednesday preview on the 2010 Mainstage season and features a pre-show conversation with the artistic staff and guest speakers on topics including themes of the show, production elements, collaborating with artists, and more that will have every educator's mouth watering. The Apple Series is for current Washington state teachers and administrators.

About ACT - A Contemporary Theatre
Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only local theatre dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A theatre of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.

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