2008/2009 Season of Awakenings!
Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Michetti
September 20th-December 7th, 2008
Mourning the untimely death of his father and nettled by festering resentment over the premature marriage of his mother and uncle, the core of Hamlet's soul is shaken by a visitor from beyond the grave. Lost in a labyrinth of guilt and rage, the young prince is forced to confront his own humanity in William Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.
A Noise Within's production of Hamlet is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.
The Rainmaker
By N. Richard Nash
Directed by Andrew Traister
October 4th-December 6th, 2008
On the water starved western plains, Lizzie Curry has resigned herself to a life without love as she and the men of the family struggle to keep the farm from collapsing under the weight of devastating drought. Out of this arid ether a shadow larger than life fills the horizon. Say howdy to Bill Starbuck-Rainmaker and Dream Merchant. N. Richard Nash's joyful romantic comedy awakens the hopeful dreamer in all of us.
Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist
By Neil Bartlett
Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott
November 1st-December 14th, 2008
Charles Dickens' famous tale, peopled by unforgettable underworld characters and breathtaking turns of fate is given a brilliant stage treatment by Mr. Neil Bartlett. Comedy and tragedy mingle in a Victorian music hall setting as young Oliver Twist struggles to navigate the dark alleyways of a whimsically cruel world. Wildly theatrical, musically vibrant-this is a Dickensian adventure not to be missed!
Waiting for Godot
By Samuel Beckett
Directed by Andrew Traister
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 10 PERFORMANCES ONLY!
January 15th-25th, 2009
Atop a blasted landscape Didi and Gogo cling to the flickering faith that Godot will come. Godot will bring answers. Godot will bring meaning. Godot will bring happiness. When will Godot come? Irish treasure Samuel Beckett's wickedly witty treatise on the nature of human existence is considered one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
CRITICS CHOICE -LA Times
"Top-notch production!" -LA Times
The Taming of the Shrew
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Geoff Elliott
February 28th-May 17th, 2009
The road to romance can be a rough and raucous ride. William Shakespeare's most famous pugilist lovers "Kate the Curst" and "Madcap Petruchio" jab, swing and duck their way to wedded bliss, (or perhaps wedded blisters!). One of the Bard's most beloved comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is a rollicking game of love played for keeps by graduates from the school of hard knocks.
A Noise Within's production of The Taming of the Shrew is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.
Ghosts
By Henrik Ibsen
Directed by Michael Murray
March 14th-May 9th, 2009
Set in the isolated grandeur of Scandinavia's fjord country, Mrs. Alving relishes the homecoming of her artist son Oswald. An independent woman unafraid to brook the rigid moral code of a society dominated by men, she looks to a bright future with her beautiful boy. But sins of the fathers and secrets of the dead reach out to decimate the foundation of her world. Henrik Ibsen, considered the father of modern drama, creates a haunting tale of unrequited passion, revelation and horror.
The Rehearsal
By Jean Anouilh
Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott
April 11th-May 24th, 2009
Disillusioned by a life spent pursuing pleasure, Count Tiger may find salvation in the purity of a young visitor to his court. Threatened by disruption of the fragile status quo, members of the jaded, sated court are bent on ferreting out and annihilating his innocent savior. Celebrated French playwright Jean Anouilh (pronounced "Ahn-wee") creates a world of both brave affirmation and bitter protest, a world crackling with sharp wit and icy romanticism.