Photo Flash: Broken Record Plays Overtime Theater

Expanded from James Venhaus' ten-minute short Inside the Loop that was written for TheatreASAP in 2007, this new, full-length production tells the story of one couple...in reverse. If you could go back and play your entire failed relationship over again, would you? Should you? Would it make a difference? Ben and Cynthia's relationship is replayed from its bitter end back to its sweet beginning.

Broken Record will be directed by experienced actress and director Catherine Babbitt. Overtime technical director Rigel Nunez will provide the scenic design. The play will feature the actors Christie Beckham (Cynthia), Tyler Keyes (Ben), and Robert Jerdee (Richard).

Another Venhaus play, The Happy Couple, had its world-premiere staging at the Overtime Theater in March 2010. It received critical and audience acclaim, and the show sold out most of its performances. Beckham and Keyes also were part of that production.

Broken Record is different because it essentially existed only as a short piece before the playwright, director and cast began pre-production work. James Venhaus explains the process of expanding the original idea into a full-length production:

"After this play debuted at 2007's TheatreASAP, I knew there was a lot more to the story than could be told in ten minutes. And, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such a strong creative team. Catherine, Tyler, Christie and I have met several times this summer to brainstorm ideas about the play, the characters and production. After each meeting, I'd write new scenes, and send them to the team via e-mail. Then they would send feedback to me, and I'd go back and write more. I created three new drafts of the play before rehearsals started. It's been an exhilarating process, and I feel that developing the play with the cast and director has provided me with a unique opportunity to create a much stronger play than I could have made on my own."

The creative team of Broken Record is writing about their experiences in creating the play in an online blog. The blog can be found at http://jamesvenhaus.net/wordpress/.
Location: The Overtime Theater, in the Blue Star Complex, 1414 S. Alamo, #103, San Antonio, TX 78210.

Show Dates and Times: August 27 - September 18, 2010. Showtimes are 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, with one 3 pm Sunday matinee (September 12). No show on Friday, September 3.

Ticket Prices: $12 general admission, and $9 for teachers, students, seniors 65+, active military, and SATCO members. Thursdays are "Cheap Date Night," when the ticket price is "pay what you can."

Information & Reservations: www.theovertimetheater.net, info@theovertimetheater.net, and (210) 557-7562.

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