Less than a year after receiving top billing at last year's prestigious Humana Festival of New American Plays, Aurora Theatre will stage the second production of note for Sirens, a new comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer, from January 13 - February 6, 2011. Sirens is the story of Sam and Rose who, after twenty-five years find the passion in their marriage has ebbed. The cure is a romantic cruise to the mythical Greek Isles. That is, until washed up songwriter Sam hears his siren calling, and chucks himself overboard. Then things start to really get bizarre. Whether it's a siren playing solitaire, Sam's all female Facebook list, or a 60-year-old man with the looks and charm of a Lothario, quirkiness abounds. In this clever, fast-paced comedy about finding one's muse, Sirens is sure to fight the post-holiday winter doldrums with the healing power of laughter.
The Aurora Theatre production boasts an amazing
Acting Company. Sirens marks the first appearance in an Aurora production for star of stage and screen, Atlanta-based actor Steve Coulter (film and television: Prison Break, Army Wives, Madea's Family Reunion) as Sam Abrams. Aurora Theatre audiences may remember him from his spellbinding production of Underneath the Lintel in 2005. A pair of very talented actresses returns to the Aurora stage after long absences:
Mary Lynn Owens (Life Is a Dream) as Rose Adelle Abrams and Kate Donadio (Wait Until Dark, Chicago, Enchanted April) as the Siren. Making his Aurora Theatre debut is handsome newcomer, Lowery Brown who will be featured later this season in Academy.
About the playwright
Deborah Zoe Laufer is fast becoming a leading voice in modern American comedy. In recent seasons, her plays have been lauded by Atlanta audiences and critics alike with Horizon Theatre's production of End Days and Jewish Theatre of the South's production of The Last Schwartz.
Deborah is a 2009 recipient of the Helen Merrill Playwriting award. Sirens received its world premiere at
The Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival in February, 2010. End Days was awarded The American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg citation and is listed in the
Burns Mantle Yearbook as one of the best regional plays of 2008. The Last Schwartz was published in Women Playwrights, the Best Plays of 2003. It premiered at
Florida Stage where it was nominated for a Carbonell Award for Best New Work. Deborah is a two-time recipient of the LeCompte du Nouy grant from The Lincoln Center Foundation. Her plays have been developed at The
Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference,
Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Ojai Playwrights Conference, The Missoula Colony, The
Cherry Lane Alternative, The
Dramatists Guild Fellowship Program, New Georges, The Lark Play Development Center, and
Geva Theatre Center.
Anthony Rodriguez, Producing Artistic Director of Aurora Theatre about the playwright and producing new plays: "I am excited to be cultivating relationships with nationally renowned playwrights like Deborah Zoe Laufer. Bringing exciting new work to North Georgia is what Aurora Theatre strives to do. This play speaks to a huge slice of our population, from young people relating to Facebook, to middle aged couples struggling with a tired career or suffering marriage. I invite everyone to set sail on a mini-vacation of love and laughter."
Cast & Crew
Mary Lynn Owen * Rose Adelle Abrams
Steve Coulter* Sam Abrams
Kate Donadio* Siren
Lowrey Brown Richard Miller
*denotes member of
Actors' Equity Association.
Anthony Rodriguez Producing Artistic Director
Ann-Carol Pence Associate Producer
Susan Reid Director
Seamus Bourne Scenic Designer
Joanna Schmink Costume Designer
Jessica Coale Lighting Designer
Matt Callahan Sound Designer
Daniel Terry Sound Assistant
Denny Wood Props Designer
J. Montgomery Schuth Wigmaster
Sarah Thomson Scenic Artist
Katie Pelkey Stage Manager
Britt Hultgren Ramroop Production Manager
James M. Helms Technical Director
Jonathan Fries Assistant Technical Director
Alisha Boley Assistant Stage Manager
Sirens
by Deborah Zoe Laufer
January 13 - February 6
Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30PM
Tickets $16 - $30
Library Preview Performance, Tuesday January 11 at 8:00PM
$10 with your Library Card
Wednesday Discount Matinee, February 2 at 10:00 AM
Tickets $16
678.226.6222
www.auroratheatre.com
