— 2012 – 2013 SEASON --
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The Altruists
by Nicky Silver June 13 – 30, 2013 The Cabaret Theatre at the Temple of Music & Art A group of radical social activists learn the hard way that "fire bombs don't grow on trees" in the Arizona premiere of this furiously fast-paced black comedy by Nicky Silver. |
This production is directed by Christopher Johnson, and features Eric Anson, Shanna Brock, Brad Bultman, Dani Dryer, and Evan Werner.
– AWARDS –
2013 Mac Awards
NOMINEE
Best Actor, Drama
The Altruists
Evan Werner
Best Actor, Drama
The Altruists
Evan Werner
"It's quirky and smartly theatrically imagined and will make you wince even as it makes you laugh. Director Christopher Johnson and his cast do a nice job delivering the goods... 'The Altruists' has a thoughtful bit of heft to balance the extremes of its dark humor. Johnson has guided his fairly well-matched cast to create a delightfully well-put-together tale that moves smoothly as we are taken layer-by-layer down into this group's ugly world. Certainly Silver's characters are superficial, hypocritical narcissists rather than the caring, dedicated altruists they feel themselves to be, but his clever storytelling and great humor prompt us to embrace them in a wicked sort of way. These folks may be awful, but they're also awfully funny."
– Sherilyn Forrester, the Tucson Weekly –
– Sherilyn Forrester, the Tucson Weekly –
"Their hypocrisy at presenting themselves as one thing and then acting exactly the opposite is hilarious... any time Christopher Johnson is the director, you know everyone on stage will be going for their personal best level of emotional intensity..."
– Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com –
– Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com –
"The play, directed by Christopher Johnson, is compelling. And disturbing. And funny... Johnson has put together a play that's taut and tough... Silver's writing is vicious and poetic, and the man has a wicked sense of humor... Bultman's turn as the gay hustler was mesmerizing and nerve-racking - he didn't stop moving, reflecting the character's antsiness and drug use... Evan Werner's Ronald was one of the most vivid characterizations of the night... Really, this isn't a group of people you want to spend an evening with - unless, of course, you are in the audience while they are on stage."
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
Row After Row
by Jessica Dickey
Apr 18 – May 5, 2013
Beowulf Alley
In this world premiere, two civil war re-enactors arrive for their annual Gettysburg beer only to find a stranger sitting at their table, and their time-honored traditions are called into question.
by Jessica Dickey
Apr 18 – May 5, 2013
Beowulf Alley
In this world premiere, two civil war re-enactors arrive for their annual Gettysburg beer only to find a stranger sitting at their table, and their time-honored traditions are called into question.
This production is directed by Glen Coffman, and features Emilee Foster, Michael Gifford, and Steve Wood.
"This is the world premiere of 'Row After Row,' and while it needs some polishing, playwright Jessica Dickey has penned a 90-minute, compelling comedy... Director Glen Coffman took a potentially confusing play and gave it clarity. The scenes and characters switch back and forth between present time and the Civil War era. Coffman used simple stage lighting and the actors physical adjustments to bring the audience back and forth in time... Dickey uses wonderful language, and there is a simpleness to some of her dialogue... this is a world premiere - that doesn't happen often enough in the Old Pueblo. Dickey is likely to do revisions before that curtain rises. But now, in Tucson, you have an opportunity to see a solid production of a work by an emerging playwright. Take it while you can."
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
"It's an intriguing little piece that begins with an interesting concept and captures a moment that resonates in a quietly emotional way... I do think that Dickey has found an intriguing—and often very funny way—to explore her predominant theme: the past is always with us and that we keep repeating our mistakes in spite of our best efforts. It will be interesting to see if or how it is embraced by audiences. But remember—thanks to WRTE, you saw it here."
– Sherilyn Forrester, the Tucson Weekly –
– Sherilyn Forrester, the Tucson Weekly –
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August: Osage County
by Tracy Letts Jan 23 – Feb 10, 2013 Beowulf Alley The Weston family members are all intelligent, sensitive creatures who have the uncanny ability of making eachother absolutely miserable. When the patriarch of the household mysteriously vanishes, the Weston clan gathers together to simultaneously hilarious and tragic effect. |
This production is directed by Glen Coffman, with assistant direction by Leslie J. Miller, and features Maria A. Caprile, Tony Caprile, Michael Gifford, Alida Holguin Gunn, David Alexander Johnston, Avis Judd, Roger Owen, Peg Peterson, Toni Press-Coffman, Morgan H. Smith, Jared Stokes. Brian Wees, and China Young.
– AWARDS –
Win – 2013 Mac Awards
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WINNER
Best Actress, Drama August: Osage County Toni Press-Coffman |
NOMINEE
Best Drama August: Osage County |
NOMINEE
Best Director, Drama August: Osage County Glen Coffman |
"It makes for a glorious night at the theater. Really... Winding Road Theater Ensemble's production of the Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County" is, in short, a thrill. Winding Road is more than up to it... Director Glen Coffman assembled a large cast of talented actors led by his wife, Toni Press-Coffman in the role of the drug-addicted, acid-tongued Violet Weston, the matriarch of this crazy clan. He took a play that he obviously cared about and infused it with fresh venom and loads of vigor... All the actors committed deeply to this difficult play, but Press-Coffman and Caprile were especially strong. Press-Coffman had to veer from a completely stoned loon to a manipulating mother, and she nailed it. Caprile is riveting in this role of a woman in deep personal pain... This was a brave project to take on - a large cast doing distributed (and wildly entertaining) material. And it's paid off, showing us not only the power of Letts' words, but strong talent and commitment among Tucson actors. It should not be missed."
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
Speech & Debate
by Nicky Silver
Sep 20 – Oct 7, 2012
Beowulf Alley
In this Tucson premiere, Glee meets The Crucible in Speech & Debate as three teenage misfits in Salem, Oregon discover they are linked by a sex scandal that's rocked their town. When one of them sets out to expose the truth, secrets become currency, the stakes get higher, and the trio's connection grows deeper in this searching, fiercely funny dark comedy with music.
by Nicky Silver
Sep 20 – Oct 7, 2012
Beowulf Alley
In this Tucson premiere, Glee meets The Crucible in Speech & Debate as three teenage misfits in Salem, Oregon discover they are linked by a sex scandal that's rocked their town. When one of them sets out to expose the truth, secrets become currency, the stakes get higher, and the trio's connection grows deeper in this searching, fiercely funny dark comedy with music.
This production is directed by Christopher Johnson, with assistant direction by Leslie J. Miller and choreography by Lucille Petty and Amanda Gremel, and features Amy Erbe, Lucille Petty, Evan Werner, and Emilio Zweig.
"...watching it was the best night I've had at a Tucson theater in a long time... this production owes much to great direction from Christopher Johnson..."
– Eric Van Meter, The Tucson Observer –
– Eric Van Meter, The Tucson Observer –
"It's a delightful night of theater, and for that you can thank the director Christopher Johnson... Johnson clearly loves the piece, and put it together with an eye toward milking the humor without ever losing the heart."
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
– Kathleen Allen, AZ Daily Star –
"Christopher Johnson and Winding Road have created a smart, well-oiled, rainbow-colored charm machine that I was powerless to resist... The actors all have a confident, polished energy that comes from Johnson's solid direction. Johnson is everywhere in the production—besides directing, he's responsible for the sound, lighting, costumes, set and graphic design, all of which work well... Johnson has given the expansive stage a minimal set, decorated with some nice thematic touches, such as rainbow-colored composition books adorning the walls. The screen backdrop in the opening scene is especially impressive: it turns into a giant computer where an instant-message conversation plays out between an older man and a teenage boy. Their electronic chat becomes a crucial plot point."
– Laura C.J. Owen, The Tucson Weekly –
– Laura C.J. Owen, The Tucson Weekly –
"Directed by Christopher Johnson, the show channels its adolescent angst into very funny comedy, without being condescending. It ends with a dance scene that is hilariously bad and supremely badass... Johnson has skillfully incorporated this ethos of ragged edges into the production. Johnson has been particularly busy since leaving the helm of Live Theatre Workshop's late night Etcetera program earlier this year. He has become a member of The Rogue Theatre's newly formed Acting Company, starring in their recent production of "Journey to the West." He was unable to attend the opening weekend of "Speech and Debate" because he was still on stage at Rogue. He has also been named co-artistic director for Winding Road. This is the first play he has directed for the company."
– Dave Irwin, The Tucson Sentinel –
– Dave Irwin, The Tucson Sentinel –
