From: Jessica Paroz [mailto:jparoz@eblane.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 2:16 PM
Importance: High
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jessica Paroz
Tel: 602.416.3609
Email: jparoz@eblane.com
Arizona Theatre Company Announces Electrifying 2013-2014 Season of Hit Plays, Classics and Comedy
PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 24, 2013) – As the preeminent professional theatre in the state, Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) announces its 47th season with the production of six electrifying plays for 2013-2014, with performances in Tucson and Phoenix. David Ira Goldstein, ATC's Artistic Director, announced the season that will include the Arizona premieres of three of Broadway's newest smash hits, a delightful long-running Broadway musical comedy and will revisit two cherished classic stories in vibrant new productions.
The season kicks off with Oscar Wilde's beloved comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest," the first time in 25 years that ATC has produced this classic favorite. "The Mountaintop" is the powerful Broadway play about the final night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. The outrageous high-energy Broadway musical hit, "Xanadu" is on the season, along with the madcap antics that ensue in "Around the World in 80 Days." "Venus in Fur" is the sexy, cat and mouse hit of Broadway last season. Rounding out the season will be the Arizona premiere of "Other Desert Cities," the multi-award-winning Broadway smash about one family in a neighboring desert city's struggle dealing with a surprising and troublesome history.
"Our mission at ATC is to bring together a cross-section of Arizona's communities to be entertained, provoked and astonished by wonderful artists telling stories in the most thrilling ways possible," said Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein in announcing the 2013-2014 season. "Our hope is always to create dialogue with our audiences about the diverse work we do. For our new season, we were able to secure the rights to produce some of the hottest, most provocative and most entertaining new plays and musicals direct from Broadway as well as the perfect artists to help us create new looks at classic stories. It is a season that finds towering, engaging characters in extraordinary circumstances. Next year will find some of our favorite artists returning, but also an array of new voices, directors, actors and designers pointing us towards a future that has all of us here at ATC deeply engaged and full of wondrous expectation."
The Importance Of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Stephen Wrentmore
Tucson: September 14 – October 5, 2013
Phoenix: October 10 – 27, 2013
At a refined bachelor flat trouble is brewing! In Oscar Wilde's most beloved and endlessly delightful classic, Jack is in love with Gwendolen, Algernon is in love with Cecily. But Gwendolen and Cecily are both in love with Ernest, who in fact does not exist. In a tangle of mistaken identity and delicious wordplay, the lovers also face the indomitable force of Lady Bracknell. Full of sparkling wit, provocative remarks and with satirical humor at every turn, this truly is one the most loved and enduringly popular plays of all time, brought to new life with ATC's panache.
The Mountaintop
Written by Katori Hall
Directed by Lou Bellamy
Tucson: October 19 – November 9, 2013
Phoenix: November 14 - December 1, 2013
The Lorraine Motel. Memphis. 1968. In this gripping re-imagining of the events on the eve of his assassination, we find Martin Luther King Jr. in his hotel room after delivering his most memorable speech - when an unexpected visitor arrives with surprising news. Through this encounter, Dr. King is forced to confront his doubts, destiny and legacy to his people. A soul-stirring hit in London and on Broadway, The Mountaintop's dramatic, magical storytelling gives us insight into King, the man, and reaches a summit that might surprise you.
Xanadu
Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne
Directed by David Ira Goldstein
Tucson: November 30 – December 21, 2013
Phoenix: December 31, 2013 – January 19, 2014
It's hilarity on wheels in this hit, award-winning musical comedy for anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired. In this smash Broadway hit, Kira, a beautiful, magical Greek muse, is sent on a quest from the heavens to inspire a young artist to achieve his greatest dream – to build the first roller disco. (Hey...It's 1980!) A delightful musical spoof of the classic Olivia Newton-John/Gene Kelly film, this hilarious roller-skating, disco-dancing adventure weaves a tale of endless fun perfect for the whole family. Featuring popular '80s songs like "Magic," "All Over The World," "Suddenly," "I'm Alive," "Evil Woman," and "Xanadu."
Other Desert Cities
Written by Jon Robin Baitz
Directed by James Still
Tucson: January 18 – February 8, 2014
Phoenix: February 13 - March 2, 2014
Meet the Wyeths, a seemingly-perfect upper middle class family replete with wealth, political influence and A-list connections "living the dream" in Palm Springs. Then their daughter Brooke arrives home for the holidays to reveal the impending publication of her 'tell-all' memoir. In this critically acclaimed Broadway hit the truth crackles with wit, razor-sharp one-liners, a fierce cast of characters, and a storyline that grabs you from the opening scene to the riveting conclusion.
Around The World In 80 Days
Written by Mark Brown
Tucson: March 1 – 22, 2014
Phoenix: March 27 – April 13, 2014
Stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains! Pack your bags for the trip of a lifetime. In 1872 London, Phileas Fogg believes that, with modern transportation, it's now possible to travel around the world in 80 days. Impossible! It's a whirlwind journey filled with exotic locales and great fun. Beware! There's villainy, a damsel in distress and narrow escapes. Jules Verne's masterpiece will keep you on the edge of your seat and rolling in the aisles in this whirlwind adventure across seven continents.
Venus In Fur
Written by David Ives
Tucson: April 5 – 26, 2014
Phoenix: May 1 – 18, 2014
One of the sexiest, intelligent, most acclaimed new plays in recent Broadway history. Venus in Fur introduces us to Vanda, a startlingly talented young actress determined to land the lead in a new play based on a classic erotic novel. When Vanda shows up hours late for her appointment, she knows she may have blown her chances. Her emotionally charged audition for Thomas, the demanding playwright/director, becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex.
For more information about Arizona Theatre Company and the 2013-2014 Season, call the ATC box office in Tucson or Phoenix. All Tucson performances take place at the Temple of Music and Art in downtown Tucson (330 S. Scott Avenue); call (520) 622-2823. All Phoenix performances take place at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix (222 E. Monroe Street); call (602) 256-6995, or visit www.arizonatheatre.org. For all media or press inquiries please contact Jessica Paroz, E.B. Lane, (602) 416-3609 or jparoz@eblane.com
About Arizona Theatre Company
Touching lives through the power of theatre, Arizona Theatre Company (ATC), is the preeminent professional theatre in the state of Arizona. Boasting the largest seasonal subscriber base in the performing arts in Arizona, ATC is the only resident company in the US that benefits from a two-city operation. Now in its 46th season, more than 130,000 people a year attend performances at the historic Temple of Music and Art in Tucson, and the intimate and elegant Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Each season of shows reflect the rich variety of world drama - from classics to contemporary plays, from musicals to new works - along with a wide array of outreach programs, educational opportunities, access initiatives and new play programs. Mark Cole brings national arts management expertise to ATC as Managing Director, and twenty-two year veteran, David Ira Goldstein, continues to excel as ATC's Artistic Director.
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