Friday, March 12, 2010

Unplugged, Asolo's new play festival opens

March 14 begins something new at the Asolo Repertory Theatre - a new play reading series called "Unplugged - Theatre in the Raw." The event is through April 3. Of the new plays presented will be a piece by Greenfield Prize winner Craig Lucas. Lucas is the first to receive the new award, which is presented in conjunction with the Hermitage Artist Retreat.

Also, look for two developmental workshops and three separate readings.

Out of the plays offered, one play might be chosen for a full production run during Asolo Rep's next season. We'll keep you posted on that.

Be aware that most of the plays presented during the festival will contain adult content and strong language - stuff that's not for the kiddies. Other than that, enjoy!

Here's what's in store:

MARCH 14 at 7p.m. READING in the main rehearsal hall $5
HOW TO PRAY by Michelle Carter
A young single woman makes the decision as to whether or not she should keep the child she is carrying while getting advice from her lover, priest, dog, cat and transgender best friend.

MARCH 16 at 2p.m. READING in the main rehearsal hall $5
THE INNOCENTS by Steven Drukman
Two best friends struggle to have a baby until two very sexy young men enter the picture!

MARCH 17 at 8p.m. READING in the main rehearsal hall $5
HIGHER by Carey Perloff
A couple, both architects, find themselves vying for the same prize in this thrilling work by the artistic director of San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre.

MARCH 26 & 27 at 8p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10
FIZZ by Rogelio Martinez
A play about outsiders, the American capitalist system and the recipe for New Coke.
MARCH 27 at 2p.m. STAGED PRODUCTION in the Cook Theatre $5 students/$7 adults
LEND US YOUR VOICE an encore performance of original ensemble works, devised by area high school students from community interviews as source material. This play is appropriate for young audiences.

APRIL 2 at 8p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10
APRIL 3 at 2p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10
LOVE & IRONY by Craig Lucas
A new play from Greenfield Prize-winning, internationally renowned playwright Craig Lucas.

APRIL 3 in the Mezzanine lobby immediately following the 2 p.m. reading and talkback
Greenfield Prize Play Celebration and Closing Reception
The closing reception is valued at $15 and only available as part of the All-Access Pass.

All-Access passes are $45. Mini pass is $20 and includes a table reading and two staged readings. Plays run $5-$10 a day. For more info: 351-8000. The event will be held at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Other theater fare:

Aside from the festival, check out the theater's next free Late Night Series Event at 2 p.m. March 13 and 8 p.m. March 14 in the Cook Theatre. FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training students will present "The Shawl" by David Mamet.

Details of "The Shawl":
A One Act Play in Four Acts
A grieving daughter’s desperate search for answers leads her to seek the help of a self- professed medium in Mamet’s lyrical exploration of chance, fate and the power of spiritual knowledge.

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