Acrosstown Repertory Theatre

Flowers For Algernon

August 27 - September 13

By David Rodgers
Directed by Amanda Fraser

This is the compelling story of Charlie, a mentally retarded man, and the strange interweaving of his life with that of Algernon, a mouse. Experimental surgery has been performed on Algernon increasing his intelligence fourfold. The operation is tried on Charlie, who rapidly changes from a moron to a genius, far more intelligent than his teacher, Alice Kinnian, or the doctors who created the operating technique. As Charlie approaches the peak of his brilliance, Algernon shows frightening symptoms of regression. The play becomes a race against time in which Charlie tries to keep his new intelligence long enough to save himself and thus continue what he and Alice have found. This is a different kind of play: poignant, romantic, funny and tragic, but with hope of man's indomitable spirit.

For information, please contact Amanda at alfieproductions@yahoo.com

The Horror

October 8 – October 31

Written and Directed by Georg Koszulinski

The Horror is an over-the-top Halloween original special at the ART. The Horror is written and adapted for the stage by Gainesville filmmaker and screenwriter, Georg Koszulinski. When four friends meet in the North Woods of Maine to get away from their everyday problems, they soon learn they are not alone. After a heavy snowstorm prevents their early departure, the group is forced to leave the confines of their cabin and venture on foot through the untamed wilderness of northern Maine. Described as The Rocky Horror Picture Show with blood and gore. This multimedia show is sure to be great fun for the Halloween season.

For information, please contact Georg at koszulinski@gmail.com

Independence

November 20 - December 13

By Lee Blessing
Directed by Jerry Rose

The setting is the small town of Independence, Iowa, the lifelong home of Evelyn Briggs. Her oldest daughter, Kess, is a university professor in Minneapolis, but she has come home at the request of her sister, Jo who is concerned for Evelyn's mental health. Kess, a professed lesbian, wants to cut her family ties once and for all; Jo, an incurable romantic and longtime virgin, has now become pregnant; while Sherry, salty-tongued and amoral, wants only to finish high school so she can leave home for good. In the end, there is no accommodation possible but, instead, only a kind of arbitrary independence for each of the protagonists, as they come to realize that each must find her own heaven—or hell—in her own way.

For information, please contact Jerry at jerrydrose11@yahoo.com

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

January 7 – January 30

By Edward Albee
Directed by Sheila Bishop

George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, have just returned home, drunk from a Saturday night party. Martha announces, amidst general profanity, that she has invited a young couple—an opportunistic new professor at the college and his shatteringly naïve new bride—to stop by for a nightcap. When they arrive the charade begins. The drinks flow and suddenly inhibitions melt. It becomes clear that Martha is determined to seduce the young professor, and George couldn't care less. But underneath the edgy banter, which is crossfired between both couples, lurks an undercurrent of tragedy and despair. George and Martha's inhuman bitterness toward one another is provoked by the enormous personal sadness that they have pledged to keep to themselves: a secret that has seemingly been the foundation for their relationship. In the end, the mystery in which the distressed George and Martha have taken refuge is exposed, once and for all revealing the degrading mess they have made of their lives.

For information, please contact Sheila at sheila@crookedletter.com

Bug

February 18 – March 13

By Tracy Letts
Directed by James T. Henri

Set in a seedy Oklahoma City motel room, the play centers on the meeting between Agnes, a divorced waitress with a fondness for cocaine and isolation, and Peter, a soft-spoken Gulf War drifter introduced to her by her lesbian friend, R.C. Agnes stays at a hotel in hopes of avoiding her physically abusive ex-husband, Jerry, who was just released from prison. At first, she lets Peter sleep platonically on her floor, but not long after she promotes him to the bed. Matters become more complicated as Jerry eagerly returns to the woman he loves to beat her up, expecting to resume their relationship. On top of that, there's a hidden bug infestation problem that has both Agnes and Peter dealing with scathing welts and festering sores—which has Peter believing this is the result of experiments conducted on him during his stay at an army hospital. Their fears soon escalate to paranoia, conspiracy theories and twisted psychological motives.

For information, please contact James at jamesthenri@gmail.com

Salt & Pepper

April 8 – April 25

By Jose Cruz Gonzalez
Theatre For Young Audiences
Directed by Paul Gabbard

Salt & Pepper explores family, friendship and illiteracy. Salt's grandfather can't read or write. He's ashamed to tell anyone, and his silence has had a devastating effect on the entire family. Salt can barely read, and Pepper, his new friend, reads voraciously. Together they discover a past, the secrets of which are revealed in an old box of mysterious postcards. This play was presented at the Kennedy Center's New Visions/New Voices Program and had its premiere at Childsplay in Tempe, Arizona.

For information, please contact Paul at pfgabbard@yahoo.com

Play it Again, Sam

May 13 - June 5

By Woody Allen
Directed by Ellen Frattino

Allan Felix has this thing about Humphrey Bogart. If only he had some of Bogart's technique... Bookish and insecure with women, Allan's hero, Bogey comes to the rescue, with a fantastic bevy of beauties played out in hilarious fantasy sequences. Fixed up by friends with gorgeous women, he's so awkward that even Bogey's patience is tried. Allan mostly resembles a disheveled, friendly dog and this is what ultimately charms his best friend's wife, Linda into bed. It's a tough life, making it in the world of beautiful people but if you can't be a hero it helps to have one...

For information, please contact Ellen at efrattino@ufl.edu

Stage Management

January 24, 8:30am - 4:00pm

Intensive Workshop
Facilitator: Paul Gabbard
35.00 Registration fee

This one day intensive workshop is designed for anyone who wants to be a better Stage Manager. The skills learned and the materials acquired will help anyone in the community, educational, or even professional theatre setting. The need for quality stage managers is critical in the theatre, and this training will provide the tools to succeed. The workshop will cover the following topics:

• - Introduction to Stagecraft and Stage Lighting
• - Working with directors and actors
• - Effective Cue Calling
• - Prompt book

For information, please contact Paul at pfgabbard@yahoo.com
You may also download an informational brochure