2016-2017 season - Renaissance Theaterworks

2016-2017
SEASON
“
Do not tell secrets to those
whose faith and silence
you have not already tested.
Queen Elizabeth I
Theater is Art in Action.
”
Every year, Renaissance Theaterworks creates experiences.
The Drowning Girls
by Beth Graham,
Charlie Tomlinson, & Daniela Vlaskalic
OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 13
Through passionate storytelling our productions entertain,
illuminate, and challenge our audiences.
We begin our season with our Third Annual Br!NK New Play
Festival...
Followed by a season of secrets and lies...
Three ephermeral women convene to tell tales of betrayal and murder.
A committed welfare worker uncovers a child’s suppressed trauma.
Luna Gale
by Rebecca Gilman
JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 12
And a mysterious machine reveals secrets of the future.
Our mission is to create moving theater that awakens our
recognition of what it means to be human - from classics to world
premieres - with attention to roles for women onstage and off.
As Milwaukee’s only women-founded, women-run professional
theater company, Renaissance Theaterworks continues to
provide opportunities for women in professional theater.
Stay tuned for a few other secret suprises! See you at the
theater.
- Suzan Fete, Artistic Director
THE VIOLET HOUR
by Richard Greenberg
APRIL 7 - APRIL 30
SEASON SPONSORS
The Drowning Girls
by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson,
& Daniela Vlaskalic
Directed by Mallory Metoxen
OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 13, 2016
Bessie, Alice and Margaret break the surface of the
water gasping for breath.
They join together speaking as old friends telling
similar tales... tales of being lonely spinsters falling
under the spell of a charming stranger, quickly
marrying him, bequeathing their fortunes, and
drowning mysteriously in a bathtub.
The sensational “Brides in the Bath” murder trial
and conviction of serial killer George Joseph Smith,
an early triumph of forensic science, shocked Britain
over a century ago.
Perfect for Halloween, THE DROWNING GIRLS is a
chilling true-crime drama that will take your breath
away.
“It’s lyrical, disturbing, and tantalizingly
indecipherable.” - Chicago Reader
The Drowning Girls
Luna Gale
by Rebecca Gilman
Directed by Mary MacDonald-Kerr
JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 12, 2017
When Caroline, a veteran social worker, removes
infant Luna Gale from the custody of her struggling
young parents, the best course of action seems
clear and Baby Luna is placed temporarily with her
devoted grandmother.
However Caroline quickly realizes that the situation
is more complicated as she uncovers a shadowy and
secretive family past. Struggling with the limitations
of an overburdened bureaucracy, Caroline is forced
to make a risky decision with potentially dangerous
consequences.
LUNA GALE explores the tough situations welfare
workers must contend with daily to ensure the wellbeing of children and their families.
“A compelling and compassionate portrait of
flawed people making impossible choices.”
- Chicago Reader
Community Partner:
THE VIOLET HOUR
by Richard Greenberg
Directed by Suzan Fete
APRIL 7 - APRIL 30, 2017
In 1919, the dawn of the Jazz Age, young John Pace
Seavering opens his own publishing company in a
cramped Manhattan office with the help of his
tightly wound assistant Gidger.
But before John can publish his first book, a strange
machine of mysterious origin is delivered to the
office. As Gidger examines the bizarre contraption,
which has started ticking violently, two would-be
authors arrive. They are Dennis McCleary, John’s
best friend and a gifted novelist, and Jessie Brewster,
a famed Jazz singer and John’s secret mistress, who
has written a tell-all memoir.
With only enough capital to produce one book,
John is caught between the two. But his struggle
is cut short when the machine explodes shooting
reams of paper all over the room. What’s written on
these pages will throw John’s dreams and plans into
disarray.
THE VIOLET HOUR is a hilarious & heartfelt tale with
a touch of magical realism.
“Only Tony Kushner matches Mr. Greenberg
in linguistic richness and playfulness.”
- New York Times
THIRD ANNUAL
Br!NK
NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
Showcasing the work of Midwestern women playwrights
SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2016
The Broadway Theatre Center Cabaret
Two performances daily at 2pm & 7pm
Join Renaissance Theaterworks at the Br!NK. We need
you to help us develop these plays!
“The conversations throughout the week I spent in
residence, and in the talkback after the performance,
were incredibly valuable... I felt nurtured and
empowered.”
-Gwen Rice, Br!NK Playwright 2014
“RTW is doing their part through this program and other
work to level the playing field in all areas of theatre.”
-Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos, Br!NK Playwright 2015
Supported by:
• Br!NK audience members are the first to see these
premiere staged readings.
• Meet the playwrights, actors, & directors at postshow talkbacks.
• Give your input to help the playwrights further
develop these new works.
GROUND WORKS
Our newest initiative, GROUND WORKS showcases the
latest work by today’s edgy, envelope-pushing writers.
More information will be available soon on our website.
www.r-t-w.com
Go behind the scenes with
PLAY CLUB
A Second Saturday Subscription Series
The book club for theater lovers!
• Receive advance copies of the 2016-17 scripts to read
at home: The Drowning Girls, Luna Gale, & The Violet
Hour.
• Get exclusive invitations to sit in on each production’s
first rehearsal: meet the actors, see the director &
designer presentations, & listen to the first readthrough of the play.
• Following the performance, Play Club members
gather in the cabaret for wine & cheese and a
private chat with the cast & creative team.
10/29/16 • 1/28/17 • 4/15/17
THEATER BY WOMEN
for everyone
CONTRIBUTE
Become a Renaissance man or woman by making a tax
deductible gift with your subscription. Your generous
support ensures that Renaissance Theaterworks
continues to bring you outstanding theater.
BE BOLD
Have your name bolded in our Footlights program by
becoming a new donor of $100, or by increasing your
last gift by as little as 25%.
SUITE SEATS
Renaissance Theaterworks’ VIP Suite Seats package is
perfect for a memorable night out with your clients,
colleagues, community or social organization. Suite
Seats is designed to give your group the VIP treatment
at no extra cost.
PARTNER WITH RENAISSANCE
Community Partner Nights are a great way to have fun,
share a unique experience, & get exposure for your
organization or group.
GREEN ROOM GROUP
Become a major donor and enjoy exclusive benefits
like backstage tours and intimate gatherings with
actors and artists. Members contribute $1000 or more
annually. The Green Room Group is the insiders’ place
to be!
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
PREVIEW SUBSCRIPTION
BY MAILBY PHONEONLIINE
Be the very first to see each show, attend the Preview!
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION
Reserve your favorite seats for each production.
FLEX TIX
For the spontaneous theatergoer - get the subscription discount
and choose your dates later.
PLAY CLUB
A book club for play lovers! See page 14.
Play Club meets October 29, January 28, & April 15.
SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS
• Even bigger savings - single ticket prices went up in the 201516 season, but subscription prices stay low!
• Purchase additional tickets and request exchanges before
single tickets are available, during Priority Week.
• Waived facility fees.
• Lost ticket replacement.
• Free and easy ticket exchanges at the Box Office up to 48
hours before the show.
• Discounts to Historic Third Ward theater, dining, and more.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INSIGHT
Every Wednesday we invite our audience to engage
with the show’s creative team at a talkback immediately
following the performance. Each 20 minute talkback
will focus on a unique aspect of the production.
Dig into the text at Off Book, our preshow talk, offered
40 minutes before the production. Off Book dates are:
11/2/16, 2/1/17, 4/19/17.
Renaissance Theaterworks
158 N. Broadway, Suite 500
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.273.0800 x203
www.r-t-w.com
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SELECT A SUBSCRIPTION
$80 Preview (Friday 7:30 or Saturday 4:00 only)
$85 Wednesday Matinee (1:00 pm)
$90 Standard Subscription
Wednesday 7:30
Friday 7:30
Saturday 4:00
Thursday 7:30
Saturday 8:00*
Sunday 2:00
$125 Play Club
$90 Flex Tix
* Only 2 Saturday night shows available
PAYMENT
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All subscription sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable, but are exchangable within
48 hours before the performance. Plays, dates, and times are subject to change.
SUBSCRIPTIONS | 414.273.0800x203
BOX OFFICE | 414.291.7800
R
T
The Violet Hour
Luna Gale
The Drowning Girls
W
2016-17 SEASON
Renaissance Theaterworks, Inc.
Broadway Theatre Center
158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.273.0800www.r-t-w.com
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 877