Friday, June 10, 2011

Tucson: Etcetera presents THE BOOK OF LIZ by Amy & David Sedaris at LTW!

 

From: Christopher Johnson [mailto:rumspringaandcoke@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 11:20 AM
Subject: Etcetera presents THE BOOK OF LIZ by Amy & David Sedaris at LTW!

 

Contact: Christopher Johnson

Artistic Director of Etcetera,

the late-night arm of Live Theatre Workshop

(520) 425-4163 | RumspringaAndCoke@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Etcetera, the late-night arm of Live Theatre Workshop, proudly presents

THE BOOK OF LIZ

by the Talent Family, Amy Sedaris & David Sedaris

Directed by Christopher Johnson

Featuring Eric Anson, Ryan Butler, Amanda Gremel, Richard Gremel, Kristi Loera, Leslie J. Miller, Lucille Petty, Carley Preston, Steve Wood and Emilio Zweig

 

June 30 - July 16, 2011

Opening Night Performance: Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 PM

All other performances play Friday and Saturday Nights at 10:30 PM

All tickets are $10 at the Box Office

To make your reservation call (520) 327-4242

Approx. running time: 70 minutes with no intermission

For more information go to www.EtceteraLateNight.com

LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP - 5317 E. Speedway | Tucson, AZ 85712

Located on the North side of Speedway between Rosemont and Craycroft

Produced by Special Arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

THIS PRODUCTION CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND CONTENT. NO ONE UNDER 16 ADMITTED.

 

Sister Elizabeth Donderstock is Squeamish, has been her whole life. She makes cheese balls (traditional and smoky) that sustain the existence of her entire religious community, Clusterhaven. However, she feels unappreciated among her Squeamish brethren, and she decides to try her luck in the outside world. Along the way, she meets a Cockney-speaking Ukrainian immigrant couple who find her a job waiting tables at Plymouth Crock, a family restaurant run almost entirely by recovering alcoholics. The alcoholics love her. The customers love her. Her Danderfrock fits right in. Things are going great for Liz, until she's offered a promotion to manager. Unfortunately, Liz has a sweating problem, and to get the job, she'll have to fix it. Meanwhile, back at Clusterhaven, Liz's compatriots just can't seem to duplicate her cheese ball recipe, and it's going to cost them their quaint, cloistered lifestyle. They are panic-stricken and desperate, and sure she sabotaged the recipe. Does Liz go through with the operation? Can the Squeamish be saved? Will the cheese balls ever taste good again? The answers to these and so many other questions can be found in the new comedy from the Talent Family, David and Amy Sedaris.

 

“...a delightfully off-key, off-color hymn to clichés we all live by, whether we know it or not."

-The New York Times

 

“…may well be the world's first Amish picaresque…hilarious…”

-The Village Voice

 

“…acidic laughs…linguistic delight…”

-Variety

 

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS

David Sedaris made his comic debut recounting his strange-but-true experiences of being a Macy's elf clad in green tights, reading his SANTALAND DIARIES on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Sedaris' sardonic humor and incisive social critique have since made him one of NPR's most popular and humorous commentators and a bestselling author in the United States and abroad. The great skill with which Sedaris slices through euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire. Everywhere he goes David Sedaris delights his audience with his irreverent style and great humor. In addition to his commentaries on NPR, David Sedaris is the author of the best sellers BARREL FEVER, NAKED and HOLIDAYS ON ICE. David and his sister, Amy Sedaris, have collaborated under the name The Talent Family and written several plays which have been produced at La Mama and at Lincoln Center in New York City. These plays include STUMP THE HOST, STITCHES, ONE WOMAN SHOE, which received an obie award, INCIDENT AT COBBLER'S KNOB and THE BOOK OF LIZ.

 

Amy Sedaris is an actor, writer and comedienne, and the sister of author David Sedaris. Together they are “The Talent Family.”

 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

ERIC ANSON - Reverend Tollhouse - is excited to act in his seventh Etcetera production, having previously appeared with the late-night ensemble in ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS (Knee Pad), KILLER JOE (Joe), Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Rocky Horror), THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (John), BUG (Jerry) and THE BALTIMORE WALTZ (The Third Man). You may have also seen Eric on the Mainstage at Live Theatre Workshop last season in THE DINNER PARTY and DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER as well as the Winding Road Theatre Ensemble production of FIFTH OF JULY.

 

RYAN BUTLER - Yvone / Rudy - has appeared in productions of THE FOREIGNER (Ellard), WORDS, WORDS, WORDS (Milton), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Bob Cratchit), WEST SIDE STORY (Diesel) and most recently with Etcetera as Morse Code (ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS), Jack (SAY YOU LOVE SATAN) and as himself in THE WIZARDS HAVE LANDED. Ryan’s directing credits include An American Millionaire and An Evening at Fleet Street: Highlights from Sweeney Todd. Ryan graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2009 with a M.A. in English Literature and from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a B.A. in Classics and Theatre.

 

AMANDA GREMEL - Oxana / Yolanda - was last seen performing with Etcetera as Pattie (KIMBERLY AKIMBO) Robot Dancer (ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS), The Sunflower (MR. MARMALADE), Mara Lynn (WHITE PEOPLE), Janet Weiss (Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW), Lysette (I WROTE THIS PLAY TO MAKE YOU LOVE ME), Ensemble (THE PENIS MONOLOGUES) and CB’s Sister (DOG SEES GOD). Amanda is Live Theatre Workshop’s Technical Director and co-coordinator of All Together Theatre, the children’s series at LTW where she is a regular performer.

 

RICHARD GREMEL - Brother Brightbee - is happy to be back on stage with the Etcetera ensemble after last appearing in Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Brad Majors) and MR. MARMALADE (Bradley). Richard is also an actor and playwright for the ATT series at LTW and serves as Co-Technical Director with his wife, Amanda Gremel. Richard attended the University of Arizona where he recieved his BFA in Theatre Education. He is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School.

 

CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON - Direction - is proudly in his fourth season as the Artistic Director of Etcetera, the late-night arm of Live Theatre Workshop, where he has directed THE WIZARDS HAVE LANDED, MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, SAY YOU LOVE SATAN, ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS (2010 MAC Award nomination - Best Director, comedy), KILLER JOE (2010 MAC Award nomination - Best Director, comedy), Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (2010 MAC Award nomination - Best Director, musical), DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, I WROTE THIS PLAY TO MAKE YOU LOVE ME, THE PENIS MONOLOGUES, SAVAGE IN LIMBO, BUG, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and TITUS ANDRONICUS. Since 2004, Christopher has acted in 27 Etcetera productions. He has performed elsewhere with Winding Road Theater Ensemble, Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Brachiate Theatre Project, 1984 Theatre, Old Pueblo Playwrights and Tucson’s Shakespeare Under The Stars.

 

KRISTI LOERA - Sister Elizabeth Donderstock - has previously appeared with Etcetera in THE EATING DISORDER TALENT SHOW (Mother),  KILLER JOE (Sharla), THE PENIS MONOLOGUES (Ensemble), BUG (Agnes) and FUDDY MEERS (Mother). A regular on the Mainstage at Live Theatre Workshop (where you may have caught her this past season in David Sedaris’ SEASON’S GREETINGS!!! -- a performance which earned her a 2010 Arizona Daily Star MAC Award nomination for Best Actress in a comedy), Kristi is LTW’s Executive Director. For Etcetera, Kristi has directed MR. MARMALADE and can next be seen with the late-night ensemble in PERSEPHONE OR SLOW TIME.

 

LESLIE J. MILLER - Sister Constance Butterworth / Visitor - is elated to be making her acting debut with Etcetera, having directed the late-night productions of KIMBERLY AKIMBO and THE EATING DISORDER TALENT SHOW last season. Leslie spent several years as Artistic Director of Catalina Players and was last seen performing at LTW in ROCKIN’ CINDERELLA. Select acting credits elsewhere include HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST.

 

LUCILLE PETTY - Production Stage Manager / Cecily - is honored to be a part of the Etcetera ensemble, where she was last seen in ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS (Neck Brace), MR. MARMALADE (Lucy) and in Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Rasputina). Lucille has previously served as production stage manager for KIMBERLY AKIMBO, MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, THE EATING DISORDER TALENT SHOW, DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and KITTY KITTY KITTY. Other acting credits include PICNIC (Millie), ARMOR (Cynthia) and FIFTH OF JULY (Shirley). Lucy is the in-house videographer for Etcetera and can be found on YouTube as ‘ALucyInABucket.’

 

CARLEY PRESTON - Dr. Barb Ginley - has been seen with Etcetera as Debra (KIMBERLY AKIMBO), The Bouncer (SAY YOU LOVE SATAN), Carol (OLEANNA), Magenta (Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW) and Mrs. Person (KITTY KITTY KITTY). She has also served as Assistant Director for the Etcetera productions of ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS and KILLER JOE. Other Tucson credits include performances with Arizona Onstage (ASSASSINS and THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING). Miss Preston graduated with a BFA in Theatre Production from the University of Arizona where you may have caught her in THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, CAROUSEL and MIDWIVES.

 

STEVE WOOD - Associate Direction / Duncan / Visil - has previously appeared with Etcetera as Andrew (SAY YOU LOVE SATAN), Shoe Horn (ROBOTS VS. FAKE ROBOTS), Chris (KILLER JOE) and Kitty (KITTY KITTY KITTY). Steve has also performed locally with Alternative Theatre Company (BEYOND THERAPY, DIRTY SECRETS, THE GAYEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER), Winding Road Theatre Ensemble (THE LION IN WINTER), Live Theatre Workshop (CLOUD 9) and Studio Connections (BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES, TICK TICK...BOOM!, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and ALL IN THE TIMING). He can next be seen with Etcetera directing the upcoming production of JAILBAIT.

 

EMILIO ZWEIG - Hesikiah / Donny - recently made his Etcetera debut in last season’s KIMBERLY AKIMBO. A recent graduate of Tucson High Magnet School for the Performing Arts, Emilio has also previously appeared with Winding Road Theater Ensemble (ARMOR) and Borderlands Theatre (THE PASTORELA).

 

 

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