Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts opens its new season on Aug. 5 with The Chechens.
Beautifully written, The Chechens is an intense, funny and vital production. Set in modern day Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic, rumors are going around that “certain people” are being rounded up and held in a camp on the East edge of town. Can one family protect their little brother who may or may not be the next target? Will they turn him in? Will they go so far as to honor-kill him? What prevails in the end-religion, politics or love?
This play is the winner of the Janet and Bruce Bunch New Play Contest Award. This play stars Reuben Garcia, Miguel Cintron, Sharon Isern, Hollis Galman and Madelaine Weymouth. Performances will be Aug. 5 – 7 and Aug. 12 – 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 15 at 2 p.m.
The remaining season includes the following:
Men on Boats plays Oct. 21 – 31. Mostly a comedy by Jaclyn Backhaus, it will be directed by Rachael Endrizzi. Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. Men On Boats is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. The outlandish crew encounters disaster, conflict and harrowing adventure along the way. Keeping with the tradition of Backhaus’ acclaimed play, the cast is composed entirely of women.
The Roommate will be performed Dec. 9 – 19. This is a comedy by Jen Silverman and is directed by Stephen Hooper. Sharon, in her mid-fifties, is recently divorced and needs a roommate to share her Iowa home. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. But as Sharon begins to uncover Robyn’s secrets, they encourage her own deep-seated desire to transform her life completely. A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life – and what happens when the wheels come off.
The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe and directed by Sonya McCarter plays Jan. 8 – 30. The Colored Museum has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America. Its eleven “exhibits” undermine black stereotypes old and new, and return to the facts of what being Black means.
Outside Mullingar will be presented Feb. 17 – 27. Written by John Patrick Shanley, it will be directed by Bill Taylor. Near Killucan, Ireland, Tony Reilly schemes to sell the family farm and disinherit his son, Anthony. Standing in his way is a small plot of land belonging to the neighbor, Rosemary—and her long-simmering grudge. Destiny—whether embracing or fighting it—means everything in this very Irish story told with a rich tapestry of language, compassion and a few surprises.
The Cake, a comedy by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Stephanie Davis, will be performed March 17 – 27. All is going well for Della. Her North Carolina bakery is legendary and she’s just been cast on her favorite television baking competition. But then, her late-best-friend’s daughter comes home from New York City to ask her to make a cake for her upcoming wedding. When Della learns that Jen’s about to marry a woman, she is forced to re-examine her deeply held beliefs as questions of morals, judgment and family swirl around them all.
For tickets or info, call 239-939-2787, visit 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, or go online at www.ArtInLee.org.
