From: theatre [mailto:theatre@beowulfalley.org]
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 4:55 PM
Subject: Beowulf Alley Announces First Play of 2007-2008 Season
Beowulf Alley Theater Company
11 South 6th Avenue · Tucson, AZ 85701
622-4460 · FAX: 622-4460
www.beowulfalley.org
Contact: Beth Dell
(520) 622-4460
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beowulf Alley Announces First Production of the 2007-2008 Season
(Tucson, AZ--October 8, 2007)— Beowulf Alley Theater Company is pleased to announce its first play of the 2007-2008 season, STONES IN HIS POCKETS, by Marie Jones, to be performed at the theatre, 11 South 6 Avenue, between Broadway and Congress, in downtown Tucson. There is ample street parking as well as City garages.
Directed by Susan Arnold, Stones in his Pockets tells the tale of two local, down-on-their luck Irishmen, Jake Quinn (Matthew Copley) and Charlie Conlon (Jonathan Northover), who along with others, have been cast as extras in a Hollywood movie being filmed in rural County Kerry, Ireland. Imagine the clash of ideals and the chaos that ensues when Hollywood divas, flamboyant press agents and bigwig Hollywood directors begin trampling on the people who live in the village while searching for the perfect close up. The delight over free food and 40 quid a day for doing virtually nothing gradually turns to resentment and the mood threatens to derail the movie when a tragic event occurs. Copley and Northover portray all of the 15 characters in the play.
When asked what she derived from reading the play that moved her to direct Stones in His Pockets, Ms. Arnold replied, “Stones takes some serious shots at Hollywood and has great fun doing so. But for all its funniness, it also says a lot about the role that movies and imagination play in disillusionment. At one point Charlie says, ‘talent is talent…It wins through in the end,’ and Jake replies, ‘You don’t believe that do ya?’ It’s a good question. It’s one of many the play will raise.”
Stones in His Pockets will preview on November 8 and 9 at 7:30p and will begin its formal four-week run on November 10 with an opening night reception following the performance. Performances are Thursdays through Saturday evenings at 7:30p and Sundays at 1:30p. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. Ticket prices range from $12-$19 with special internet pricing. Please go to www.beowulfalley.org or call (520) 882-0555.
Stones in His Pockets won the Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Award for Best Production in 1999, The London Evening Standard award in 2000, two Olivier Awards for Best New Comedy and Best Actor and was nominated for three Tony Awards in 2001, and has been produced all over the world in several languages.
“This is a comedy on several layers, overtly funny at times, self-reflexive at others, poignant and touching throughout – a must see!”
Vanessa Cuddeford, BBC
“A self-consciously ‘Irish’ play…, it also oozes pathos, fatalistic humor, and goes down well with a glass of beer.”
Brendan Kiley and Lindy West, The Stranger Newspaper, Seattle, WA
“Hilariously funny, it mixes - in typical Irish fashion - a degree of sentiment and near tragedy in with the comedy.”
The British Theatre Guide
“The two human Etch-a-Sketches of ''Stones in His Pockets'' … offer overwhelming evidence that there are special effects the movies will never do better than the theater does.”
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
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Beowulf Alley Theatre Company is committed to enriching the community and enhancing appreciation of the arts through the production of innovative, invigorating theatre and theatrical education with the highest standards for acting and production.
Beowulf Alley has received critical acclaim for its productions, including seven MAC Award nominations. The company has presented over 200 performances to Tucson audiences since 2002 and has served hundreds of artists through its productions. The theatre also provides performance and rehearsal space for other Tucson theatre companies. For more information, log on to www.beowulfalley.org.
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