Bridge Street Theatre Presents THE REVENGE OF THE SPACE PANDAS By David Mamet

Bridge Street Theatre presents David Mamet's "The Revenge of the Space Pandas"

C'mon. A children's play? By David Mamet??

Hudson Valley kids (and their adults) will soon get a chance to see that this is no joke. The playwright far better known for his searing and foul-mouthed adult dramas has, indeed, created a divinely silly, family-friendly, retro-sci-fi romp called "The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock", which will be presented for eight performances only July 12-22 at Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre.

Blast off into the unknown as a boy scientist, his female sidekick, and a sheep named Bob find themselves accidentally transported to the Planet Crestview (fifty light years from Earth, Fourth World in the Goolagong System, Sweetheart of Space Sector Five), patrolled by an army of Space Pandas and ruled over by a preening narcissist named George Topax who'll stop at nothing to become the only man in the goose Nebula to possess a wool letterman's sweater. Can a nearly-forgotten film star save the earthlings from being whacked-out with a giant pumpkin? The suspense may kill you!

"Since we opened our doors in 2014, Bridge Street has developed a reputation for presenting off-beat and potentially controversial material," says Steven Patterson, director of this production. "Still, we also like to keep ourselves (and our audiences) a little off-balance. And what could be more unexpected than this 'edgy' theatre presenting what's essentially a kid's play as part of our regular Mainstage season - particularly one from such an unlikely source? Hey, given that it's Mamet, adults can rest assured that there's a wry, sarcastic, and ironic sensibility at work beneath the outer space hijinks. We're recommending the show for anybody age 5 and up. As far as we're concerned, it's the perfect summer entertainment."

Bridge Street Theatre's production of "The Revenge of the Space Pandas" features a cast of 17, the largest the theatre has ever fielded - a dynamite combination of students and professional talent, all from the immediate area. The play is directed by Bridge Street Theatre Associate Artist Steven Patterson, with sets and graphics designed by Rodney Alan Greenblat (of The Rodney Shop), costumes by NYC's Jennifer Anderson, and lighting by John Sowle. In the cast are local actors Wil Anderson, Amara Wilson, Alexa Powell, Julia Rothwax, Caitlin Van Loan, Molly Osswald, Lily Gallagher, Amanda Recine, Isabella Truncale, Art Skopinsky, Michael Keck, Natalie Parker, David Smilow, Andrew Joffe, Phillip Levine, Piper Levine, and Steven Patterson. Production Stage Manager is Tyla Patterson. Underwriting for this production was provided by a generous grant from the Bay & Paul Foundation, with matching funds provided by the Bank of Greene County, Mark Fingar Insurance, and others.

"Revenge of the Space Pandas" will be presented Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm, from July 12 - 22 on the Bridge Street Theatre Mainstage, located at 44 West Bridge Street in the Village of Catskill, NY. The Thursday July 12 preview and the Sunday July 15 matinee are both "Pay-What-You-Will" performances. Advance tickets are available for $22 online at pandas.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006. Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to each performance (on a space available basis) for $25. Students age 21 are $10 and kids from 5-10 are $5. For more information, visit the theatre online at BridgeSt.org.

Events and performances in Bridge Street Theatre's 2018 Season are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and by Public Funds from the Greene County Legislature through the Greene County Cultural Fund, administered in Greene County by the Greene County Council on the Arts.

Graphic by Rodney Alan Greenblat