WINDING ROAD THEATER ENSEMBLE PROUDLY PRESENTS
B U R N T H I S b y L a n f o r d W i l s o n
Emilee Foster and Christopher Johnson in BURN THIS.
March 13-30, 2014
Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM
Performing in The Cabaret at The Temple of Music & Art
330 S Scott Avenue | Tucson, AZ 85701
Regular Tickets: $20 | Discount Tickets: $17* | Preview Tickets: $15
*Discounts available for Theatre Artists or with Senior / Student / Military ID
To make your reservations now, call (520) 401-3626
It all begins shortly after the funeral of Robbie, a young gay dancer who drowned in a boating accident. Robbie's roommates: his sensitive dance partner and choreographer, Anna, and confident gay ad man Larry are soon joined in Robbie's lower-Manhattan loft by screenwriter Burton (Anna's longtime lover), and Pale (Robbie's coke-snorting, hyperactive restaurant manager brother). In the face of their shared tragedy, the quartet attempts to make sense of their lives and reconsider their own identities and relationships.
Directed by Glen Coffman
Featuring Patrick Baum, Emilee Foster, Christopher Johnson and Steve Wood
Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM
Performing in The Cabaret at The Temple of Music & Art
330 S Scott Avenue | Tucson, AZ 85701
Regular Tickets: $20 | Discount Tickets: $17* | Preview Tickets: $15
*Discounts available for Theatre Artists or with Senior / Student / Military ID
To make your reservations now, call (520) 401-3626
It all begins shortly after the funeral of Robbie, a young gay dancer who drowned in a boating accident. Robbie's roommates: his sensitive dance partner and choreographer, Anna, and confident gay ad man Larry are soon joined in Robbie's lower-Manhattan loft by screenwriter Burton (Anna's longtime lover), and Pale (Robbie's coke-snorting, hyperactive restaurant manager brother). In the face of their shared tragedy, the quartet attempts to make sense of their lives and reconsider their own identities and relationships.
Directed by Glen Coffman
Featuring Patrick Baum, Emilee Foster, Christopher Johnson and Steve Wood
Winding Road Theater Ensemble NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2014
-Free Admission for current WRTE Season Ticket Holders-
Saturday, May 3, 2014
The Cabaret at The Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott
Readings of four new plays with breaks for talkbacks and complementary cookies (home-made by Winding Road’s Glen Coffman) and – if you arrive (or stay) late enough, a little wine.
'I and You'
By Lauren Gunderson, performing at 1:30 PM
A story of two intelligent kids whose journey of self discovery unfolds beside a similar journey expressed by one of America’s finest poets over 150 years ago.
'My Life in Sports'
By Bill Epstein, performing at 4:00 PM
A play about a boy, baseball, friendship among men, and finding the great love of your life.
'The Great Divide'
By Alan Berks, performing at 7:00 PM
A brilliant exploration of what really divides the Left and the Right.
'The Worst Person In the Whole Entire World Of All Time Ever'
By Larry Kunofsky, performing at 10:00 PM
An utterly unique comedy that asks the questions, “What’s it take for a lesbian couple to be happy?” and “Any chance their Moms could help?”
$5 for a single reading; $12 for three; $15 for all four.
Cookies, water, and coffee (after 5) included.
Call (520) 401-3626 for reservations.
The Cabaret at The Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott
Readings of four new plays with breaks for talkbacks and complementary cookies (home-made by Winding Road’s Glen Coffman) and – if you arrive (or stay) late enough, a little wine.
'I and You'
By Lauren Gunderson, performing at 1:30 PM
A story of two intelligent kids whose journey of self discovery unfolds beside a similar journey expressed by one of America’s finest poets over 150 years ago.
'My Life in Sports'
By Bill Epstein, performing at 4:00 PM
A play about a boy, baseball, friendship among men, and finding the great love of your life.
'The Great Divide'
By Alan Berks, performing at 7:00 PM
A brilliant exploration of what really divides the Left and the Right.
'The Worst Person In the Whole Entire World Of All Time Ever'
By Larry Kunofsky, performing at 10:00 PM
An utterly unique comedy that asks the questions, “What’s it take for a lesbian couple to be happy?” and “Any chance their Moms could help?”
$5 for a single reading; $12 for three; $15 for all four.
Cookies, water, and coffee (after 5) included.
Call (520) 401-3626 for reservations.
Announcing our 2014-2015 Season
SLOWGIRL by Greg Pierce
September 11-28, 2014 (Arizona Premiere)
Directed by Christopher Johnson
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS by Mike Daisey
Late-Night: September 12-27, 2014 (Arizona Premiere)
Directed by Evan Werner
DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller
November 6-23, 2014
Directed by Glen Coffman
UNITED by Toni Press-Coffman
February 5-22, 2015 (World Premiere)
Directed by Christopher Johnson
THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare
April 16-May 3, 2015 – Performed in repertory with ROUGH MAGIC
Directed by Glen Coffman
ROUGH MAGIC by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
April 23-May 10, 2015 (Arizona Premiere) – Performed in repertory with THE TEMPEST
Directed by Evan Werner
September 11-28, 2014 (Arizona Premiere)
Directed by Christopher Johnson
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS by Mike Daisey
Late-Night: September 12-27, 2014 (Arizona Premiere)
Directed by Evan Werner
DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller
November 6-23, 2014
Directed by Glen Coffman
UNITED by Toni Press-Coffman
February 5-22, 2015 (World Premiere)
Directed by Christopher Johnson
THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare
April 16-May 3, 2015 – Performed in repertory with ROUGH MAGIC
Directed by Glen Coffman
ROUGH MAGIC by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
April 23-May 10, 2015 (Arizona Premiere) – Performed in repertory with THE TEMPEST
Directed by Evan Werner
EARLIER THIS SEASON FROM WINDING ROAD:
BOOM by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (Tucson Premiere)
"Director Christopher Johnson makes sure the dark comedy keeps our attention, and that the trio of actors completely commits to this wild tale...Evan Werner’s Jules was deliciously awkward at the prospect of sex with a woman, and completely convincing with his message of doom. Werner doesn’t get much stage time in these parts, and it’s kind of a shame — he has an honesty when he acts, and sublime comedic timing...Dani Dryer, who recently finished playing Ernst in Winding Road’s 'Cabaret,' gave Jo a hard edge to hide a vulnerability. It was a nicely nuanced performance. Dryer gets a lot of stage time, primarily at Winding Road, and she just keeps getting better and better. We are beginning to think she can do just about anything...Our guide through all this is Barbara, given a sort of frenzied attention by Avis Judd. Her intensity and sincerity added to the play’s humor. Winding Road often stages original works and plays that don’t get much airing in these parts, mostly because they are new or gutsy, and/or won’t appeal to a wide audience. This kind of commitment to new theater, odd theater, exciting theater, is a big bonus for us Tucsonans. 'boom' is proof of that."
–Kathleen Allen, reviewing 'boom' for The Arizona Daily Star
"The Tucson premiere of 'boom' is presented by Winding Road Theater Ensemble, the increasingly essential troupe that most recently gave us a killer 'Cabaret.' Christopher Johnson, who played the emcee in 'Cabaret,' is the director here and his unerring work wrings every bit of humor and pathos from what's on the page. In Johnson's hands, 'boom' has incredible forward momentum. His casting is genius, that's for sure. Werner, Dryer and Judd sink their teeth into this remarkable play with precision, power and intelligence. They get all of the little things right on their way to the big myth-making stuff. The ending, a wondrous bit of alchemy, sneaks up on you and hits you where it counts. The production, which benefits from a detailed production design that never gets in the way, tells a hell of a story about the importance of storytelling. Winding Road, which closes its season with Lanford Wilson's 'Burn This' in March, was wise to make room for 'boom.'
–M. Scot Skinner, reviewing 'boom' for the Tucson Weekly
–Kathleen Allen, reviewing 'boom' for The Arizona Daily Star
"The Tucson premiere of 'boom' is presented by Winding Road Theater Ensemble, the increasingly essential troupe that most recently gave us a killer 'Cabaret.' Christopher Johnson, who played the emcee in 'Cabaret,' is the director here and his unerring work wrings every bit of humor and pathos from what's on the page. In Johnson's hands, 'boom' has incredible forward momentum. His casting is genius, that's for sure. Werner, Dryer and Judd sink their teeth into this remarkable play with precision, power and intelligence. They get all of the little things right on their way to the big myth-making stuff. The ending, a wondrous bit of alchemy, sneaks up on you and hits you where it counts. The production, which benefits from a detailed production design that never gets in the way, tells a hell of a story about the importance of storytelling. Winding Road, which closes its season with Lanford Wilson's 'Burn This' in March, was wise to make room for 'boom.'
–M. Scot Skinner, reviewing 'boom' for the Tucson Weekly
Kander & Ebb's CABARET
"...Lucille Petty...plays Sally to within an inch of her life in Winding Road Theater Ensemble's 'Cabaret.' You'll likely love this sizzling 'Cabaret' long before Petty sends a few chills up your spine with the title song. It's not her singing that stops the show, though. It's the cumulative weight of her performance and our memory of the pain that preceded this moment...the miracle of this mounting is the ensemble. Under the direction of Christopher Johnson and Evan Werner, the cast is exceptional from top to bottom...Trice, an African-American actor with charisma to spare, is perfect as Clifford Bradshaw, a character who often comes off as a passive bore. And what's not to like about China Young as Fraulein Kost, not to mention Susan Arnold and David A. Johnston as the older couple whose tender love for each other can't overcome the gathering storm? Likewise, it's hard to disagree with the decision to cast Dani Dryer as Ernst Ludwig, the Nazi in their midst. Dryer, a woman who has prior experience playing a man, conveys the irrational hatred that lurks in Ludwig's heart. The actors who play the Kit Kat Club dancers and other characters make their own vivid impression...With an orchestra that's as good as it is small, under the direction of Harriet Siskin, and with splendid original choreography by Mickey Nugent, the show is wonderfully suited to the venue, which was filled to capacity on opening night. It would be a crime to oversell this 'Cabaret.' But you try curbing your enthusiasm when confronted with what Winding Road has done. Besides, running the risk of raising expectations to unnatural levels is a misdemeanor compared to the more serious crime for theater lovers: missing what will be the hottest ticket this side of the top-ranked UA men's basketball team. So put down your Twitter, Facebook and phone, old chums, because there's something special happening right now in the real world. Right this way, your table's waiting."
–M. Scot Skinner, reviewing CABARET for Tucson Weekly
"Winding Road’s 'Cabaret' is insightful. And disturbing. And has a terrific ensemble cast...Mickey Nugent‘s choreography is organic, fun, and a visual delight...it is a production that is dedicated to this musical theater piece, which carries a profundity along with its tunes. Winding Road tackles it with heart, head and commitment."
–Kathleen Allen, The Arizona Daily Star
–M. Scot Skinner, reviewing CABARET for Tucson Weekly
"Winding Road’s 'Cabaret' is insightful. And disturbing. And has a terrific ensemble cast...Mickey Nugent‘s choreography is organic, fun, and a visual delight...it is a production that is dedicated to this musical theater piece, which carries a profundity along with its tunes. Winding Road tackles it with heart, head and commitment."
–Kathleen Allen, The Arizona Daily Star
THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion (Arizona Premiere)
"The success of this production lies with the choices of director Christopher Johnson and Press-Coffman, who simply allow Didion to speak. There's no over-reaching...There doesn't seem to be an attempt to interpret a character as much as there's a commitment to deliver her eloquence. Because this is Didion, this is enough...Johnson has chosen to use the small stage in the Cabaret Theatre, which works perfectly for this piece. The set, designed by Johnson, consists of a blue wall onto which has been attached a dining table, set for dinner, and chairs, so that the wall actually becomes the floor. It's a simple but powerful image of a world turned on its side, askew...Winding Road gives us a quiet experience that resonates richly. To share it with others in a theater setting makes it special."
–Sherilyn Forrester, Tucson Weekly
"Press-Coffman’s studied presentation, directed by Christopher Johnson, is a brave performance of understated complexity, both demanding and emotionally grueling. A light-hearted evening of theater this is definitely not."
–Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
–Sherilyn Forrester, Tucson Weekly
"Press-Coffman’s studied presentation, directed by Christopher Johnson, is a brave performance of understated complexity, both demanding and emotionally grueling. A light-hearted evening of theater this is definitely not."
–Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
