Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights Returns To Barter Stage II 7/27-8/9

The ninth annual Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP) returns to Barter Stage II in historic Abingdon, Va., July 27-August 9, 2009. Cultivating plays and playwrights with a distinctly Appalachian voice, Barter's AFPP presents six readings and one mini-production of exciting new works.

This unique festival allows audiences the rare opportunity to take an active role in the development of new works by hearing the plays read for the first time by professional actors and then offering feedback to aid in the play's progress and growth.

Barter's AFPP provides a direct route for new plays to be developed from readings to full productions. Barter Theatre has consistently produced plays each year as a result of the festival process. Some of these include audience favorites Keep on the Sunny Side by Douglas Pote, Catherine Bush's Comin' Up a Storm and last season's hit, Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell by Duke Ernsberger and Virginia Cate.

This year's festival, which runs during the Virginia Highlands Festival, will showcase one of last year's praise-winning plays in a mini-production format with minimal props and costuming. Show dates and times can be found in The Highlander, at www.bartertheatre.com or by calling (276) 628-3991.

The mini-production is The Controversial Rescue of Fatty the Pig by Catherine Bush. In this new play, Cherry Blevins' house has burned down-her second house in five years. While trying to help save Cherry's 300-pound pet pig "Fatty" from the flames, Cherry's brother Floyd and his wife Connie are arrested for assault by local law enforcement officer Deputy Dwight Omuhundro. As they relive their lives leading up to the fire, they discover that the disappointments of the past don't necessarily dictate the relationships of the future in this funny, insightful and light-hearted story of family.
Starring Nicholas Piper, Wendy Piper, Sean Campos, Rebecca Reinhardt and Ron Smith, The Controversial Rescue of Fatty the Pig opens July 27 and will be shown nine times throughout the festival. Tickets are $20 each.

In addition to the mini-production, six exhilarating new plays will be presented as staged readings. These readings are free and audience members are encouraged to participate in an open discussion following these performances. Audience participation plays a key role in the development of these new plays with audience favorites having the chance to move on to mini-productions in future Festivals, and then later, full productions at Barter Theatre.

Barter's 2009 AFPP readings starts with Swamp Gas and Shallow Feelings, a new musical by Randy Buck and Jack Eric Williams on Friday, July 31 at 2 p.m. There will be two staged readings on Monday, August 3 with A Southern Exposure by Kelley Kingston-Strayer at 1 p.m. followed by Rick Whelan's Kindred Spirits at 4 p.m. The Blue Sky Boys by Deborah Brevoort opens the readings on Tuesday, August 4 at 1 p.m. with Losing Patients by Duke Ernsberger and Virginia Cate scheduled for 4 p.m. The final reading, Where Trouble Sleeps by Catherine Bush will take place on Friday, August 7 at 2 p.m.

All AFPP events are held at Barter Stage II. Seating is based on availability. Admission to the staged readings is free with a request for donations to support Barter's continuance of the Festival. Ticket prices for the mini-production The Controversial Rescue of Fatty the Pig will be $20. Barter Theatre's other summer shows, including The Wizard of Oz, Showtime at First Baptist and The Fantasticks, will also be running during Barter's AFPP. The Barter Players' production of A Year With Frog and Toad can be seen most days at 10 a.m. Call Barter Theatre's Box Office at (276)-628-3991 for show times and reservations.

The State Theatre of Virginia, Barter Theatre, is celebrating its 76th year of producing professional non-profit theatre in the Appalachian Region. Known for outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas, new and Appalachian works and award-winning educational programming, Barter Theatre, Barter Stage II and The Barter Players present programs several times a week and patrons can see up to four shows in two days in beautiful downtown Abingdon.

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