Posted April 14, 2009
Dov and Ali by Anna Ziegler - July 1-12
Love Song by John Kolvenbach - July 15-26
Railroad Bill by T.J. Edwards - July 29- August 9
A Body Of Water by Lee Blessing - August 12-23
CHESTER - Chester Theatre Company will present its 20th Anniversary Season, July 1 - August 23, 2009, featuring plays by Anna Ziegler, John Kolvenbach, T.J. Edwards, and Lee Blessing. "I'm really excited about this year's slate of plays," said CTC Artistic Director Byam Stevens, "they represent a broad range of styles and a remarkably high standard of writing - truly the best in contemporary theatre."
The season opens on July 1 with the New England premiere of Dov and Ali by Anna Ziegler. This powerful new work revolves around the relationship between Dov, a Jewish high school English teacher in Detroit and Ali, a Muslim immigrant in Dov's class. Both men are trapped in traditional ways of thinking that lead them inevitably into a culture clash. But it's the women in their lives who will pay the steepest price for Dov and Ali's failure to break out of centuries old mind sets. Hailed by The Guardian (UK) as "An intense, intelligent play,"Dov and Ali is a fearless play that tackles timely world issues from an intimate, human perspective. CTC newcomer Michelle Tattenbaum will direct the production which runs through July 12.
John Kovenbach's Love Song, a 2007 Olivier Award Nominee for Best New Comedy, provides a complete change of pace. This offbeat comic romance centers on Beane an eccentric, rueful, innocent, but literal-minded observer of life. Following the burglary of Beane's apartment, his sister and her husband are surprised to find Beane transformed - he's blissfully happy - the door to love has been opened for the first time. As they unravel the mystery of the new woman in Beane's life, the dormant fires in their marriage are rekindled. According to The Daily Telegraph (UK), Love Song is "A smashing, compassionate new play,"The Chicago Sun-Times calls it "The stuff of pure theatre." This touching rhapsody to the power of love, which runs from July 15-26, will be directed by CTC Artistic Director Byam Stevens.
CTC will showcase its ongoing commitment to new works with the World Premiere of Railroad Bill by T.J. Edwards will run July 29- August 9th. This rapid-fire farce in the Mamet tradition, centers on Abe, a down and desperate literary agent, and Jessie, his African-American protege. While Abe is trying to teach Jessie the finer ethical points of making a killing, Samantha enters the picture with a hot commodity -- the recently discovered journal of legendary African-American train robber Railroad Bill. An hysterical bidding war ensues, one that brings out the worst in a cast of bumbling, scurrilous characters, none of whom is what they seem. Railroad Bill, a timely, funny parable about Commerce and its perennial sidekick - Greed, will be directed by Regge Life.
The season comes to a close with Lee Blessing's A Body of Water, running August 12-23. Moss and Avis, a middle aged couple wake up one morning in a beautiful summer house overlooking a body of water. There's only one problem - they can't remember who they are. A young woman arrives and information begins to flood in. Only, much of it seems totally contradictory. Blessing lays out a fascinating journey into the nature of identity and its relationship to memory. The San Diego Union-Tribune called A Body of Water "the work of a mature master dramatist in complete control." This funny, sometimes chilling, existential romance from one of America's foremost playwrights will be directed by CTC newcomer Stephen Hollis.
Tickets are available on CTC's website: www.chestertheatre.org . To receive a brochure, contact the box office at 413-354-7771. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00pm., with matinees Thursday and Sunday at 2:00pm. Tickets are $28-$32; group rates are available. For further information visit CTC's website at: www.chestertheatre.org .
CTC performances are supported, in part, by funds from the Berkshire Bank Foundation; Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts; Conklin Office Furniture; Dobbins Foundation; High Meadows Foundation; the estate of Jerome R. Zipkin; Massachusetts Cultural Council; PeoplesBank; Ruth Abrams Foundation; Schultz, Robb & Associates; Shurtleff Children's Services of Westfield; United Bank Foundation; Woronoco Savings Charitable Foundation; and the Local Cultural Councils of Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell, Westfield, and Worthington.
About Chester Theatre Company
Chester Theatre Company is a professional summer theatre located in the foothills of the Berkshires. Founded in 1990 by Vincent Dowling as The Miniature Theatre of Chester, CTC produces 4-5 plays each summer and fall, performed by top-flight actors, directors and designers from across the country. Performances take place in the intimate setting of the Chester Town Hall, with audiences are drawn from the Pioneer Valley, Berkshire County, and portions of Connecticut and New York.
CTC performances are supported, in part, by funds from the Berkshire Bank Foundation; Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts; Conklin Office Furniture; Dobbins Foundation; High Meadows Foundation; the estate of Jerome R. Zipkin; Massachusetts Cultural Council; PeoplesBank; Ruth Abrams Foundation; Schultz, Robb & Associates; Shurtleff Children's Services of Westfield; United Bank Foundation; Woronoco Savings Charitable Foundation; and the Local Cultural Councils of Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell, Westfield, and Worthington.
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