'DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST', ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS and More Set for Contemporary Theater Company's Summer 2017 Season
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 07, 2017
The theater kicks off the summer season June 16 with Accidental Death of an Anarchist, an anti-fascist comedy by Dario Fo.
"I am so excited to work with a cast of very talented and creative people to put together a play that is deeply relevant to our times," says Accidental Death of an Anarchist co-director Ouardane Joannot, "while featuring some of the best physical comedy I've seen in a while."
It follows a police investigation that gets turned on its head when the police are the ones having to answer for themselves. With physical humor and biting political satire, it's full of laughs to start off the summer.
Next up is One Man, Two Guvnors, a farce by Richard Bean. Francis finds himself at the beck and call of two employers, rivals in the local mob scene. Things spin out of control as he tries to keep it all straight without revealing everyone's secrets.
The season closes out with Slamming Doors: An Improvised Farce. It was a great success last year, and is back! The improvisers make up a new full-length play on-the-spot each night, full of all the hilarity you love in a farce. This time the play is set in the 1920s with the costumes to match.
"Last year's Slamming Doors was our first full improvised play," says Communications Director Maggie Cady. "It was so much fun that we did Whodunit this winter and couldn't resist more Slamming Doors!"
In addition to the mainstage shows Thursdays - Saturdays, the company will present Shakespeare on the Saugatucket, Wednesday and Sunday free shows on the theater's outdoor performance patio. This year they tackle two problem plays, All's Well That Ends Well in July and Imogen (Cymbeline) in August.
"Shakespeare's so-called problem plays take into truest account the fact that lives are not all comic or tragic," says Matt Fraza, All's Well That Ends Well director, "but instead are lived in both light and darkness, among slings and arrows, and also kindnesses and kisses."
Let's not forget the littlest of audience members! At the Contemporary Theater Company there's something for the whole family with summer camps for youth and children's shows on Saturdays at 10:30 am in July and August. In July they feature an improvised Western called Giddy Up and in August they stage a play written by the Writing Summer Camp students in We Wrote a Play!
Go have some laughs and enjoy the summer at the Contemporary Theater Company.
Calendar of Events:
Micetro Improv
Every Friday at 9:30 pm
Our troupe of improvisers make up scenes and songs on-the-spot. It's fun, it's real, and every performance is truly unique! The players vie for your vote to be the Micetro Champion and win the coveted Bucci Helmet!
Tickets: $8, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo
June 16-17, 22-24, 29-30, July 1, 6-8 at 7 pm
This anti-fascist farce by Italian playwright Dario Fo delves into the political realm where you never know if you can trust what those in charge claim. Did an anarchist fall from the window of a police interrogation room? Or was he pushed? The authorities wouldn't lie to a reporter, would they? This physical, clown-infused comedy is perfect for our shifting political landscape.
Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)
Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Shakespeare on the Saugatucket
Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August at 7 pm
Enjoy the beautiful words of the Bard under the stars and amongst the flowers on the Contemporary Theater Company's Performance Patio situated on the banks of the Saugatucket River. This year we tackle love in all forms with All's Well That Ends Well in July and Cymbeline in August.
Tickets: Free, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company Performance Patio, 321 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean
July 14-15, 21-22, 27-29, Aug 3-5, 10-12 at 7 pm
One Man, Two Guvnors is a hilarious reshaping of the classic comedy Servant of Two Masters! Down on his luck, Francis Henshall suddenly finds himself at the beck and call of two employers - rivals in the local mob scene. As Francis frantically tries to keep everything straight, the twists, turns, and confusions mount for a stupendous night of fun!
Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)
Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Farm Dinner
July 20, Cocktails at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm
An evening of great food, company, and entertainment on the beautiful performance patio behind the Contemporary Theater Company. Enjoy a locally-sourced three-course meal featuring ingredients from several Rhode Island farms, cocktails, and music on the banks of the Saugatucket River tucked away in the heart of Downtown Wakefield.
Tickets: $55 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company Performance Patio, 321 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Slamming Doors: An Improvised Farce
Aug 18-19, 24-26, 31, Sept 1-2 at 7 pm
Slamming Doors was so much fun last year, it's back by popular demand! A full-length farce is created on-the-spot before your eyes. The actors know nothing about the characters, plot, or lines until they step onstage - it's all made-up in the moment with all the twists and turns you love in farces!
Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)
Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Videos
