Actors Theatre

The Off-Broadway of Grandrapids

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ACTORS' THEATRE ANNOUNCES 33rd SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACTORS’ THEATRE TO PRESENT AWARD-WINNING WEST MICHIGAN PREMIERES IN 2013-2014 SEASON

On Thursday, May 23, 2013, prior to the opening of their final production of the thirty-second season, Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids (www.atgr.org) unveiled the lineup of productions scheduled for its thirty-third season.  All of the productions scheduled for the 2013-14 season will be West Michigan premieres and include two musicals and three contemporary plays.  Jonathan Clausen, Director of Development and Marketing, has this to say about the upcoming season:

“2013-14 is going to be an exciting season because it’s so rich in the variety of programing.  Our artistic selection committee, headed by Ellie Frances (seen recently on stage in [title of show]), came to us with a group of selections that are not only artistically challenging and fun, but which will appeal to a wide variety of theatre-goers.

This year, we’re proud to bring a contemporary classic to the stage for the first time in our area with Love! Valour! Compassion! As we looked at crafting this season, we wanted to make sure that we weren’t limiting ourselves artistically by not looking at great plays from the last two decades that, for one reason or another, might not have seen the stage in West Michigan.  Combine that with a rock re-imagining of American history (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), the sexy but fascinating character study Venus in Fur, an emerging contemporary classic in God of Carnage, and a beautiful musical based on a true story (Grey Gardens) and you have a season that is rich, interesting and really, really fun to produce.”

The five productions scheduled for the 2013-14 season are as follows:



Love! Valour! Compassion! Promo Image

Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally – September 19-28, 2013
In Duchess County, New York eight friends gather over the course of three summer weekends in a house belonging to aging Broadway choreographer Gregory and his younger partner Bobby, who is blind.  Friendship, love, life and death take center stage in this award-winning contemporary classic by renowned playwright Terrance McNally, author of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, ‘Lips Together, Teeth Apart’, and Corpus Christi, among others.

The production will be directed by veteran actor, teacher and choreographer Jolene Frankey, who will be making her directorial debut for Actors’.


Venus in Fur Promo Image

Venus in Fur by David Ives – December 12-21, 2013
Playwright and director Thomas is desperate to find a female lead for his new adaptation of the classic 19th century sadomasochistic tale, Venus in Furs, when, at the last minute, an actress barges in and requests an audition.   Seemingly utterly wrong for the part, Thomas is intrigued by her strange command of the role and her surprising seductiveness.  Alone together, their audition starts to blur the lines between play and reality.  The tables turn and what was once a game becomes something much more serious.  

Venus in Fur will be directed by Michelle Urbane, whose most recent directing credits include [title of show] (2013), The Sweetest Swing in Baseball (2011) and Mr. Marmalade (2010).


Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Promo Image

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, a new musical  - February 6-22, 2014
Meet Andrew Jackson : our seventh President and our first political maverick.  He kicked British butt, shafted the Indians and put a hurt on the Spaniards all in the name of these United States – who cares if he didn’t have permission?  From his humble beginnings in Tennessee to his days as Commander-in-Chief, the tongue-in-cheek Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson reimagines its main character as a contemporary rock star and, in doing so, examines and lampoons the cult-of-personality dynamics of the contemporary political scene. 

The musical will be directed by Kyle Amanda Dutkiewicz, who previously won a Grand Award for musical direction with the Actors’ production of The Wild Party (2008).


God of Carnage Promo Image

God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza – April 17-26, 2014
A playground altercation between their eleven year-old boys brings two couples together in an attempt to resolve the matter.  Initially diplomacy prevails but as the evening progresses (and  alcohol flows…), the gloves start to come off in a comically explosive landslide that will leave the couples with more than just their progressive principles in tatters. 

God of Carnage will be directed by Tom Kaechele whose most recent directing credits for Actors’ include the Next Fall (2012), The Little Dog Laughed (2010), and The Lieutenant of Inishmore (2009).


Grey Gardens Promo Image

Grey Gardens, the musical – June 5-14, 2014
Equally hilarious and heartbreaking, Grey Gardens is a musical based on the cult classic documentary of the same name, which explores the true story of Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale - aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. From glamorous beginnings to a penniless, co-dependent existence, Grey Gardens paints an intimate and not unsympathetic portrait of two of the 20th century’s most notorious recluses. Grey Gardens is written by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie. 

The musical will be directed by award-winning director and Actors’ Theatre founder, Fred Sebulske, and will mark the 60th main stage production he has directed for the organization.


Season Tickets may be purchased online at www.atgr.org/subscribe or by calling the Actors’ Theatre Business Office at (616) 234-3968. A special discounted rate is available through July 15th. 

Members of the media wishing to obtain interviews or special access may contact Jonathan Clausen, Director of Development and Marketing, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (616) 234-3817.

 

ACTORS THEATRE PRESENTS "LOOKING FOR NORMAL" - OPENING 5/23

On May 23, 2013, Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids presents the West Michigan premiere of the Jane Anderson’s play Looking for Normal.   The play chronicles a critical time of challenge and change for a Midwestern family.  

Roy and Irma have been married for twenty-five years. They have two children.  Roy works in tractor plant in the heartland and both are active in church and their community. When Roy and Irma see their pastor for a marriage counseling session, Roy reveals that he's a woman trapped in a man's body and wants an operation to correct the situation.  

Looking for Normal is a powerful, often funny play about an individual’s journey to personal truth, the cost of that journey on those he loves, and the hope that transformation brings.

Fred Sebuske, director of the production and founder of Actors’ Theatre, had this to say about the play:

“I thought Looking for Normal was a play about being transgendered when I was first given it to read by Actors’.  Since I knew very little about the topic, it interested me.  As I began to dig deeper into the text, it became a play about the broader topic of identity and how gender and gender roles define us and often limit us, putting barriers that close us off from one another.  Now, as the play is about to open, I think the play is about ‘family’ and about how broadly we need to define that concept in order for us all to find our place.”

First performed as a workshop in the 1998 New Work Festival at the Mark Taper Forum, Looking for Normal received its first full production at the Geffen Playhouse in 2001 and featured Beau Bridges in the role of Roy.  The Hollywood Reporter described it as “thoughtful and touching and full of wit and wisdom.”  The play was subsequently adapted as the HBO original movie Normal (2003) and starred Jessica Lange as Irma, Tom Wilkinson as Roy and “Nashville” star Hayden Panettiere as the couple’s teenage daughter Patty Ann.  The Actors’ Theatre production marks the first production of Anderson’s play in West Michigan and features a combination of veterans and newcomers to Actors’ stages, including Craig Hammerlind (Rabbit Hole, 2008) as Roy, Samantha Gauthier (Same Time, Next Year, Circle Theatre - 2011) as Irma, and Kitty Carrico Carpenter (Frozen, 2009) as Roy’s Grandmother Ruth.   In the roles of Roy and Irma’s children, Rockford High School student Carlee Bleeker makes her Actors’ Theatre debut as Patty Ann and Calvin College graduate Andrew McClelland (August: Osage County, 2012) plays their son Wayne.

Looking for Normal will be presented Thursday through Saturday on two consecutive weekends at GRCC Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, beginning on May 23, 2013 and closing on June 1, 2013.  All evening performances begin at 8PM.

Ticket prices begin at $24 for adults and $20 for students/seniors.  Students with valid ID are eligible for $10 RUSH seating, based on availability, beginning one hour before the performance.  Groups of ten or more are eligible for discounts.  Tickets for Looking for Normal may be purchased online at http://atgr.org/looking-for-normal or by contacting the Actors' Theatre box office at (616) 234-3946.

Members of the media wishing to obtain interviews or special access may contact Jon Clausen, Director of Development and Marketing, at (616) 234-3817.


 
 

“[TITLE OF SHOW]” OPENS MARCH 28TH AT ACTORS’ THEATRE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI.  Audiences in West Michigan won’t want to miss out on the Actors’ Theatre production of [title of show], opening March 28th, 2013.  Join a cast comprised of some of West Michigan’s best emerging vocal talents as they present the hilarious musical about Jeff and Hunter – two aspiring theater artists who enter a script into a musical theatre festival without a plan….or a script!  With the help of their friends Susan and Heidi, the four put their minds together to come up with their very own formula for an original musical.  [title of show] presents a satirical take on friendship, childhood and the world of live.  Audiences will be sure to fall in love with [title of show].

[TOS Promo Imagetitle of show] has received several Broadway and off-Broadway premieres, such as the Musical Theatre Festival in 2004 and the Vineyard Theatre in 2006.  Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell won Obie Awards as co-writers and actors for [title of show].  Bell was also nominated for Best Book of a Musical in the 2009 Tony Awards.  The New York Times called [title of show] “a wildly successful bare-bones piece of theater” as well as “genial, unpretentious and far funnier than many of the more expensively manufactured musicals.”

[title of show] is directed by Actors’ Theatre alum Michelle Urbane, most recently seen on stage in 2012’s August: Osage County.  Joining her are Actors’ veterans George Toles (as Jeff), Rob Karel (as Hunter), Jolene Frankey (as Susan), Ellie Frances (as Heidi), and Michael Shansky (as Larry) and Music Director.  Urbane says, “It’s going to be a night of fun, comedic theatre.  If you like musical theatre, you’ll definitely love this show.  And if you don’t – you’ll still love it!”

 [title of show] will be presented for two consecutive weekends at GRCC Spectrum Theatre, 160 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids.  The production opens March 28th, 2013 and closes on April 6th, 2013.  All evening performances will begin at 8:00pm.  Nine front row tickets (referencing the production number “Nine People’s Favorite Thing”) will be given away each night of performance to high school and college students with valid ID.  Students must arrive before 7:15 PM and a drawing will be held at 7:50PM.  Those not selected are still eligible for the standard rush seating rates.

Ticket prices begin at $24 for adults and $20 for students/seniors.  Students with a valid ID are eligible for $10 RUSH seating, based on availability and beginning one hour before the performance. Groups of ten or more are eligible for discounts.  Tickets for [title of show] may be purchased online at http://atgr.org/title-of-show or by contacting the Actors’ Theatre box office at (616) 234-3946.

Members of the media wishing to obtain special access may contact Jon Clausen, Director of Development and Marketing, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (616) 234-3817.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jonathan Clausen
616-234-3817
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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