Actor's Express Season Kicks Off With BECKY SHAW 8/26

Artistic Director Freddie Ashley announced the Actor's Express 2010-11 season today - a production lineup that includes two world premiere plays, two Atlanta premieres, a sweeping historical drama about Oscar Wilde and the addition of a holiday show - a first for the 23-year-old company.

AE will stage the world premiere of Albatross, a gripping new play by Atlanta playwright Lee Nowell. The story centers on a married couple revealing secrets in the aftermath of a friend's funeral. Each new revelation launches them deeper into a mystery and reveals that neither is quite what they seem. Albatross packs in exciting plot twists until the final moment.

The second world premiere of the season is Broadsword by Marco Ramirez. This devilishly entertaining play tells the story of former members of a hard rock band who reunite briefly upon the disappearance and apparent death of Richie, a former band mate. A mysterious stranger arrives, spinning an outrageous story that just might hold the clue to Richie's disappearance. The production features Chris Kayser of AE's Mauritius.

Taking the stage during December is Every Christmas Story Ever Told, an exhilarating mash-up of much-loved Christmas stories told in 90 fast-paced minutes by a trio of three hysterical actors. A smasher of box office records around the country, Every Christmas Story Ever Told is irreverent, fast-paced and uproariously funny.

Also featured in Season 23:
Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo - A blind date ignites a fuse that results in a blast of dysfunctional hilarity that has everyone scrambling for cover, but finding none. Hailed by the New York Times as "ferociously funny" and "a big box of fireworks fizzing and popping across the stage," this runaway hit of the 2008-09 New York theatre season was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The production features Jill Hames of AE's Grey Gardens.
See What I Wanna See by Michael John LaChiusa - Nothing is as it seems in this staggeringly original musical about lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption based on three Japanese short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Each short piece weaves an intriguing tale in which a lie becomes truth and truth becomes a lie.
The Judas Kiss by David Hare - As Oscar Wilde faces trial on indecency charges he has the chance to flee, but Wilde's equally scandalous lover, persuades him to stay. Wilde emerges from prison three years later, broken but determined to reunite with his libertine lover. The Judas Kiss explores the tragedy of betrayal by those entrusted with our hearts and secrets. Written by the greatest British playwright of our time, the AE production stars Clifton Guterman (AE's Beautiful Thing) and AE Artistic Director Freddie Ashley.
Libby's at the Express - The incomparable cabaret performer Libby Whittemore returns for a third consecutive season of her acclaimed Libby's at the Express series.

Tickets are now on sale for subscription packages and individual performances on the theatre's website, actors-express.com, or by phone at 404-607-7469.

SEASON 23 @ Actor's Express

Becky Shaw
Previews - Thursday 8/26 through Saturday 8/28 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Sunday 8/29 at 5 pm
Regular Performances - Wednesdays through Saturdays 9/1-9/25 at 8 pm
Sundays at 5 pm (except 9/12 at 2 pm)

Albatross
Previews - Thursday 10/21 through Saturday 10/23 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Sunday 10/24 at 5 pm
Regular Performances - Wednesdays through Saturdays 10/27-11/20 at 8 pm
Sundays at 5 pm (except 11/7 at 2 pm)

Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Preview - Thursday 12/2 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Friday 12/3 at 8 pm
Regular Performances
December 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8 pm
December 5, 12, 19 at 2 pm

Broadsword
Previews - Thursday 1/13 through Saturday 1/15 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Sunday 1/16 at 5 pm
Regular Performances - Wednesdays through Saturdays 1/19-2/12 at 8 pm
Sundays at 5 pm (except 1/30 at 2 pm)

See What I Wanna See
Previews - Thursday 3/17 through Saturday 3/19 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Sunday 3/20 at 5 pm
Regular Performances - Wednesdays through Saturdays 3/23-4/16 at 8 pm
Sundays at 5 pm (except 4/3 at 2 pm)

The Judas Kiss
Previews - Thursday 5/12 through Saturday 5/14 at 8 pm
Gala Opening - Sunday 5/15 at 5 pm
Regular Performances - Wednesdays through Saturdays 5/18-6/11 at 8 pm
Sundays at 5 pm (except Sunday 5/29 at 2 pm)

Libby's at the Express
September 30 - October 1 at 7:30 pm
December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 7:30 pm
February 17-20 at 7:30 pm
June 16-19 at 7:30 pm

Subscription packages and single tickets are available online at actors-express.com or by phone at 404-607-7469.

About Actor's Express

Since 1988 Actor's Express has offered original voices and new perspectives that reflect Atlanta's diverse and evolving community. Recognized as one of the most remarkable and daring theatre companies in the Southeast, Actors Express has been cited as "the city's most vital theatrical venue" (Creative Loafing) and continues to fill an important niche in Atlanta's rich arts community as a place for high quality theatre and theatre education.

In 2009 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited three AE productions in its list of the 10 top plays of the year, more than any other theatre. When Creative Loafing announced its pick for the top productions of 2009, Actor's Express was recognized twice and was the only theatre to be honored for more than one play.

Under the artistic direction of Freddie Ashley, the theatre strives to nurture the next generation of playwrights through workshops, readings, and full productions of new plays; to enhance Atlanta's artistic community through theatre training; to catalyze dialogue essential to the vitality of our city and to enhance Atlanta's reputation nationally as a thriving center for live performance.

Major funding for Actor's Express is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Actor's Express programming is also supported in part by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.