the journey continues

THE SUMMER FOOLS FESTIVAL

(three shows in rotating repertory)

VIOLET
By Brian Crawley & Jeanine Tesori
Direction by John Glenn
Musical Direction by R.L. Rowsey
July 1 – August 3, 2008 – Part of the Summer Fools Festival

Set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, Violet follows the growth and enlightenment of a young woman accidentally scarred by her father. In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider. One of the most acclaimed off-Broadway shows of the ’90s, Violet astounded critics and audiences with its powerful story and its energetic, toe-tapping Gospel, Rock, Country, and Rhythm and Blues score. Featuring Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, Michelle Carter, Scott Creighton, Keith Moore, Cheryl Morrel, Norman Payne, Cliff Todd, Kevin Wade, Debra Wagoner and Amy Jo Weaver.

A genuine sincerity and sweetness that can pierce through one's skepticism… blessed with some lovely indigenous music… a smart amalgam of country, church and blues.
- Seattle Times.

COLLECTED STORIES
By Donald Margulies
Direction by Denise Simone
July 5 – August 3, 2008 - Part of the Summer Fools Festival

A respected short story writer and teacher in her mid-fifties, Ruth Steiner has carved out a comfortable life for herself in the Greenwich Village apartment she has occupied for decades. Lisa Morrison is a talented 26 year old graduate student and aspiring writer, a child of suburban privilege. Lisa arrives at Ruth's apartment for her first tutorial as a gawky, gushing hero worshiper. When Ruth quips, "I had someone darker in mind," she doesn't realize the foreshadowing in her own life story, but the audience should be put on alert. Featuring Anna Johnson and Claudia McCain.

As usual, Margulies holds the rich ore of his material up to the light so that it sends beams in every direction…always fluid and lively, the play is thick with ideas, like a stockpot of good stew. —Village Voice.

NOISES OFF
By Michael Frayn
Direction by Steve Perigard
July 12 – August 3, 2008 - Part of the Summer Fools Festival

Noises Off , proclaimed the funniest farce ever written, is a glorious opportunity to watch seven slamming doors, one breaking window, 30 trips up and down stairs and 17 false entrances, while listening to 73 flubbed lines, 46 miscues, one dramatic highlight, 22 double entendres, six regular entendres and a million laughs ­ all while trying to find a missing plate of sardines. Featuring Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, Michelle Carter, Scott Creighton, Jennifer Jacoby Rush, Richard Rush, Cliff Todd, Joel Vilinsky and Debra Wagoner.

As side-splitting a farce as I have seen. Ever? Ever.—New York Magazine.

JACK & THE BEANSTALK
By Douglas Jones & Ron Barnett
Direction by John Glenn
Musical Direction by R.L. Rowsey
October 8 – October 26, 2008

This enchanting musical retelling of the classic children’s story takes place in a farmyard during the 1930s where Jack is left to spend the day by himself. An avid reader with a marvelous imagination, Jack creates a world of magic beans, oafish giants and singing harps. Full of joyful music and heartwarming humor, Jack and the Beanstalk will delight the whole family! Featuring Rachel Abrams, Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, John Glenn and Aly Weeplo.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play
Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry
Based on the Frank Capra Film
Direction by Lynn Allison
December 17, 2008 – January 4, 2009

Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear when news, music, comedy, drama, and soap operas came into our homes via radio. The setting is Christmas Eve 1946 at station WCOF, where several talented radio players bring you all the characters (yes, all of them!) in It's a Wonderful Life, plus commercials, sound effects, and music—an engaging and memorable way to experience anew the powerful story of George Bailey, "the richest man in town." Featuring Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, Kathryn Cherasaro, Scott Creighton, Keith Joe Dick, John Glenn and Denise Simone.

SOUVENIR
A Comic Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins
By Stephen Temperley
February 18 through March 8, 2009
The Liberty Theatre, Hailey

A beguiling comic jewel with a heart. – Variety

Life holds up a funhouse mirror to art in SOUVENIR, Stephen Temperley’s wildly funny and surprisely touching portrait of real-life musical laughingstock Florence Foster Jenkins. - Time Out

A wildly funny and surprisingly touching portrait of real-life musical laughingstock Florence Foster Jenkins – a wealthy society widow who professed to be a great opera soprano, but instead had an uncanny ability to stay consistently off-key. As news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity, ultimately leading to a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall. Directed by John Glenn and Denise Simone and starring the incomparable Debra Wagoner as “Flo-Jo”, and R.L. Rowsey as her unflappable accompanist Cosme McMoon. Don’t miss it! A musical odd-couple for the ages!











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208-788-6520 for ticket and show information.