EVIE'S WALTZ Plays At Geva Theatre Center Through 5/24

GeVa Theatre Center's production of Evie's Waltz has people talking. Audiences engaged in active discussion. Parents talking to their children and to each other. Parents talking to educators. Educators talking to students. Due to audiences desire to immediately engage, Geva has implemented a post show discussion following each performance of Evie's Waltz. The discussion is moderated by Skip Greer, Geva's Director of Education and one the actors in Evie's Waltz.

Audience reaction to Carter Lewis' award-winning play has been incredible with patrons commenting, "Every parent with a teenager should see this," and "What an intense, rollercoaster ride!" The Democrat and Chronicle has acclaimed the play as "80 minutes of gripping suspense."

When Danny is beat up one-too-many times at school, he and his girlfriend Evie cheer themselves up by buying a gun. And drawing maps of the school. And talking about how they would attack. They don't really plan to do it; it's just their way of retaliation. Evie's Waltz is a taut, new drama of an American family for whom the lines of communication have broKen Down. Danny's parents don't know that he has been a victim of bullying. They don't know what he has been up to. They don't even know that he likes to dance...

In light of recent events, Evie's Waltz has never been more relevant. Throughout its 36-year history, Geva has used theatre as a public forum for community dialogue. "Theatre is a living, breathing entity which can not only entertain, but illuminate situations which we face in our daily lives," said Artistic Director Mark Cuddy. "We hope that through this play parents will be inspired to talk to their kids and ensure that the lines of communication are open."

Evie's Waltz had its Geva premiere as part of the theatre's "American Voices" series of new play readings in 2008. Since then, the play had its world premiere at the Repertory Theatre of St Louis and a production at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. The play was an immediate hit with critics and audiences alike with the press acclaiming Lewis' work as "enthralling" and "essential viewing". It was announced only yesterday that Evie's Waltz was the winner of the 2009 Kevin Kline Award for Best New Play or Musical at an award's gala in St. Louis.

Evie's Waltz is in the Nextstage through May 24. Tickets can be purchased by phoning the box office at (585) 232-Geva or online at www.gevatheatre.org