Arena Stage Presents R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY...THE UNIVERSE 5/28-7/4

Arena Stage journeys into the mind of design scientist R. Buckminster Fuller in R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE. Playwright and director D.W. Jacobs (co-founder of the San Diego Repertory Theatre) takes audiences on an exploration of the man who is regarded as the father of the green movement, the da Vinci of the 20th century, America's first engineering saint and P.R. Man to the Universe. Arena Stage veteran Rick Foucheux (most recently seen in Ford's The Rivalry and Off-Broadway's The Emperor Jones) returns to star as Fuller himself in this one-man exploration of humanity's place in the universe. The show, praised by the San Francisco Examiner "as startlingly funny as it is intellectually stimulating," uses humor, digital effects and intricate sound designs to convey these ideas to the audience, inspiring introspective questioning about how best to respond to what Bucky called Earth's critical moment. Collaborators for this production include Fuller's daughter Allegra Snyder and grandson Jaime Snyder. R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE runs May 28 through July 4, 2010 at Arena Stage in Crystal City.The press opening performance is June 3, 2010.

"The way Doug (Jacobs) has crafted this play really makes Fuller's ideas nest inside your head, both in a personal and a universal way," shares Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "This is Arena's last production in Crystal City before our move into Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, and it's fitting that we tell the story now of such a forward-thinking man at a moment when Arena is moving forward in our own history as well."

R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE is based on Fuller's life and writings. Referred to as one of the world's first futurists, many of Fuller's ideas continue to shape the fields of science and philosophy today. Fuller was a true renaissance man who used engineering, architecture, poetry and cosmology to find solutions to worldwide problems like poverty and starvation. Fuller's most recognized invention is the geodesic dome, an energy- and cost-efficient spherical structure of interlocked triangles. He was committed to helping mankind by pioneering ideas of sustainability and energy usage.

"While he was alive, Bucky was most often described as an architect, but the architects said, ‘No he's an engineer.' The engineer's said, ‘No, he's a mathematician.' The mathematicians said, ‘He might be a geometer, but really, he's a poet.' The poet's said, ‘No, he's a utopian philosopher.' The philosopher's said, ‘No, he's an architect.' No one quite claimed him as one of their own, but everyone heard him speak about fields other than their own specialization. However, it's been acknowledged that artists always recognized him as one of their own," said Jacobs. "His call for a design science revolution was a call to integrate the best insights, methods and intuitions of artists, scientists and technologists."

Arena Stage is partnering with the Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) in its 2010 Buckminster Fuller Challenge Convergence in Washington D.C. - two days of Fuller-inspired events Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3. The centerpiece will be the announcement of the winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge, an annual international design competition, at the National Press Club June 2. The winner will receive $100,000 to further develop their work. For more information on the events visit http://challenge.bfi.org/Convergence_DC.

Arena Stage also partnered with The Crystal City Business Improvement District to present Bucky Art, a 17-piece outdoor public art installation throughout the streets of Crystal City of works inspired by the work of R. Buckminster Fuller and his design science principles. The exhibition opened April 1, 2010 and will remain on display through the run of the production. For more information and a map of all the pieces, visit http://www.crystalcity.org/artful/statues/bucky-art.

R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE was developed at San Diego Repertory Theatre, where it received its world premiere production, opening March 31, 2000. The show has played at various locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Arena's production marks the show's East Coast premiere.

Use of the name, likeness, and words of R. Buckminster Fuller is by arrangement with the estate of R. Buckminster Fuller.

D.W. Jacobs (Writer, Director) is a playwright, director, actor, teacher and producer. He studied science, math, photography and international relations in high school, shifting to political geography at UCSB. In 1968, he took his first acting class and heard Buckminster Fuller speak. His brother, Steve, invited him to the College of Creative Studies, saying, "You've got to come and listen to this guy talk." Jacobs began writing scripts at CalArts in classes taught by Alexander Mackendrick. He co-founded San Diego Rep in 1976 with Sam Woodhouse, serving as artistic director for 20 years. He resigned in 1997 to focus on independent creative projects, including his play R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE (world premiere at San Diego Rep, March 31, 2000, with Ron Campbell as Bucky). The Foghouse production played in San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle. In 2005, MEMOIRES (et Mysteres) DE L'UNIVERS played in Montreal, produced by Theatre Alambic and Theatre Denise-Pelletier, translated by Maryse Pelletier. In 2008, Joe Spano played Bucky for Rubicon Theatre Company in association with Z Space Studio, with tour dates in the Western states. The Portland Center Stage production was newly conceived and produced in late 2008 with Doug Tompos as Bucky. Jacobs is working on scripts for theater, film and digital video. With a commission from Z Space, he wrote a stage adaptation of Bellamy's utopian novel Looking Backward. As an actor, he's played Joe in The Time of Your Life, Claudius in Hamlet, Howard in Mac Wellman's A Murder of Crows (produced and directed by Darla Cash), Senator Bob in the world premiere of Mac Wellman's 7 Blowjobs, Andrew in Chuck Mee's Limonade Tous les Jours, and most recently, Salter in Caryl Churchill's A Number. With Scott Feldsher, he co-wrote and co-directed The Whole World Is Watching, an adaptation of the Oedipus trilogy as TV talk show.

Rick Foucheux (R. Buckminster Fuller) returns to Arena Stage, where he was last featured as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. His previous appearances with the company include The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?; Born Yesterday and Shakespeare in Hollywood. He recently appeared in Ford's Theatre's The Rivalry and at New York's Irish Rep in The Emperor Jones. His many roles over the past 27 years include appearances at Shakespeare Theatre, Studio, Olney Theatre Center, Folger, Round House, Washington Stage Guild, Scena, Source, Theater J and Woolly Mammoth. Rick has twice received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Leading Actor. In the 2010/11 season, he will be artist in residence at Theater J, which will present The Chosen on Arena's Fichandler Stage as the first visiting company at the new Mead Center for American Theater.

The Creative Team for R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE includes Set and Lighting Designer David Lee Cuthbert, Costume Designer Darla Cash, Composer and Sound Designer Luis Perez, Projection Designer Jim Findlay, Assistant Projection Designer Jamie McElhinney, Dramaturg Janine Sobeck, Assistant Director D. Ohlandt, Stage Manager Jenna Henderson, Assistant Stage Manager Kurt Hall, Production Assistant Sarah Drue Hickox, Line Producers Jamie Gahlon and Travis Ballenger and Lighting Fellow Catherine Girardi.

R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE Special Events, Ticket 

An Afternoon with Fuller at the National Building Museum - Sunday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Rick Foucheux will perform a special vignette from R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE at the National Building Museum, followed by a Q&A with the writer-director D.W. Jacobs. Event is free and open to all ages 8 and older. Reservation required. For more information, visit http://nbm.org.

Pre- and Post-Show Lecture Series: A Call to Action: Discussing Earthian's Critical Moment
During the run of the production, Arena Stage will bring in a series of speakers before and after weekend matinee and evening shows who will lecture on topics relevant to the show and take questions from the audience. These events will be free and open to the public. Join us on June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Speakers include Erik Assadourian from the Worldwatch Institute; Thomas Zung, architect, former partner of Buckminster Fuller and Buckminster Fuller Institute Board member; Bob Deans of Natural Resources Defense Group; Martin Ogle, Chief Naturalist for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority; and Terrance Laney from The DC Project. For a complete list of speakers and discussion times, go to: http://www.arenastage.org/about/news/bucky-events.shtml.

Southwest Night - Friday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m.
An invitation is extended to our Southwest D.C. neighbors to buy $20 tickets, plus applicable fees, for one designated Friday evening performance of each production. Proof of Southwest D.C. residency-or continued employment-for each audience member of each party must be presented at the time of purchase. Tickets are limited to four per person and are based on availability. To purchase tickets, call (202) 488-3300 or stop by the Arena Stage Sales Office.

Revisit Bucky: Exploring Synergetics Symposium
The Synergetics Collaborative, in partnership with Arena Stage, is hosting a symposium on Bucky and his work at American University. June 11-13. For more information on how to participate, visit www.synergeticscollaborative.org/snec.announce.meeting.2010.06.html.

Earthian's Critical Moment: Where are we today? " Salon - Monday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m.
In the spirit of artistic and literary salons of the past, The Salon features artistic leaders from Arena Stage in a series of lively, in-depth conversations with the playwrights, actors, directors, designers, dramaturgs and audiences that make Arena Stage unique. This salon will feature panelists in different fields to discuss the current state of the earth. Where are we today? Where do we stand in our path between utopia and oblivion? The Salon is free to Arena Stage subscribers and donors ($75+) and only $3 for the general public. Reservations must be made through the Arena Stage Sales Office at (202) 488-3300.

TICKETS: Tickets for R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE range from $25 to $66 plus applicable fees. Discount tickets are available for patrons purchasing tickets for multiple shows, students and groups. A limited number of $10 tickets for patrons ages 30 and under go on sale beginning each Monday for performances that week (All patrons must present valid ID). HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available 90 to 30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance. Tickets may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by phone at (202) 488-3300 or at the Arena Stage Sales Office at 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202.

Sales Office/Subscriptions (202) 488-3300
TTY for deaf patrons (202) 484-0247
Group Sales Hotline (202) 488-4380
Info for patrons with disabilities (202) 488-3300

Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. curtain on 6/13)
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (no matinee performances on 6/13 and 6/20)
Weekday matinees at noon on 6/8, 6/9 & 6/16

Sign-interpreted performances: 6/24 at 8:00 p.m. & 6/27 at 7:30 p.m.
Audio-described performances: 6/23 at 7:30 p.m. & 6/26 at 2:00 p.m.
Open-captioned performance: 6/30 at 7:30 p.m.
Post-show discussions: 6/17 & 6/22 after the evening show; 6/8 & 6/16 after the noon show

ABOUT ARENA RESTAGED
With construction well underway on the 48-year-old Southwest D.C. theater campus, Arena Stage has launched ARENA RESTAGED, a two-year festival celebrating the rich mosaic of our nation's voices. ARENA RESTAGED, which will lay the foundation for a new home for theater artists and audiences, will take place throughout the time it takes to finish the expansion of the new theater complex, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. At the Center, the two existing performance spaces-the Fichandler Stage and the Kreeger Theater-will be fully renovated and a new 200-seat space dedicated to premiering American theater, The Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, will be added. Arena Stage at the Mead Center is scheduled to open for the 2010/11 season.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Managing Director Edgar Dobie, Washington, D.C.-based Arena Stage is the largest theater in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Founded in 1950 by Zelda Fichandler, Thomas Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage was one of the nation's original resident theaters and has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage will be a leading center for the production, presentation, development and study of American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000. For more information please visit www.arenastage.org.

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