Maryland Ensemble Theatre Announces 2011-2012 Mainstage Season

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) has announced its 2011-2012 mainstage season. MET's 14th full season of mainstage plays will feature comedy, drama, classics and brand new MET original work. The always hilarious Christopher Durang returns to the MET stage and in doing so becomes our most often produced playwright, while the Pulitzer Prize winning author David Mamet amazingly makes his MET debut with an American masterpiece. Deborah Zoe Laufer is another playwright making her MET debut while Jeff Goode returns to the MET with a holiday favorite that will be familiar to MET audiences. A classic from Sophocles gets a brand new adaptation and MET's ensemble will create a brand new work that definitely deserves to be called "original" work.

There are some schedule changes this year at the MET as well. Each show will run every Thursday through Sunday for four weeks, except when holidays get in the way. The $5 cash preview night will move to the first Thursday of each run, the first Saturday of each run will offer a chance to hang out with the cast after the show and our Press Nights will be moving to the first Sunday of the run at 7pm. Press Nights will feature a pre-show reception starting an hour before curtain that will be sponsored by downtown restaurants. Thursday through Saturday all shows will be at 8pm and the first and last Sundays will be at 7pm with the middle two Sundays offering matinees at 2pm. Thursday and Sunday nights will still be just $15 with Friday and Saturday nights only $24 or $20 for students and seniors. The theatre itself will feature a new configuration that opens up the playing space. "We'll be getting a brand new website that we are very excited about and we're still working on setting up a new ticketing system and improving our lobby. We've also go a few surprises in store for what promises to be our best season yet.", said Dan Brick, the MET's Managing Director.

The season opens with Christopher Durang's 2009 play Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them directed by Associate Artistic Director Gene' Fouche'. The New York Times called this black comedy for an era of yellow, orange, and red alerts: "Durang's funniest play!" Speaking of the New York Times they called our next play, American Buffalo by David Mamet, "one of the best American plays". Mamet's hilarious, banter-fueled heartbreaking heist comedy will be directed by MET favorite Peter Wray (Dead Man's Cell Phone). Tim Seltzer will direct the wickedly funny Christmas time expose by Jeff Goode, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, in its return to the MET holiday slate. In February, MET Artistic Director Tad Janes will direct Deb Laufer's comedy featuring Elvis, Jesus, Stephen Hawkings and the Apocalypse titled End Days. MET puts its own spin on a timeless classic in a new adaptation of Antigone by MET ensemble member Reiner Prochaska and directed by Julie Herber. MET closes out the season with an original play for the "Fredneck" in all of us. The title says it all - The All New Grand Ole Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoe Down Jamboree. For more information on the MET's upcoming season you can visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

For over a decade, Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs. The MET is an artistic leader in the region and at the forefront of the creation of Frederick's Theater District. Now entering our 14th full season of mainstage plays the MET is poised to build on the strong reputation it has earned and solidify it's place as the destination for challenging, entertaining, professional theatre in the region.

2011-2012 MAINSTAGE SEASON

Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them
By Christopher Durang / Directed by Gene' Fouche'
September 8 - October 2, 2011
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 9/11 & 10/2 at 7pm, Sunday 9/18 & 9/25 at 2pm

American Buffalo
By David Mamet / Directed by Peter Wray
October 27 - November 20, 2011
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 10/30 & 11/20 at 7pm, Sunday 11/6 & 11/13 at 2pm
No Show on Thanksgiving.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
By Jeff Goode
December 8 - January 1, 2012
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 12/11 & 1/1 at 7pm, Sunday 12/18 at 2pm
No Show on Christmas Eve

End Days
By Deborah Zoe Laufer / Directed by Tad Janes
February 2 - 26, 2012
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 2/5, & 2/26 at 7pm, Sunday 2/12 & 2/19 at 2pm

Antigone
Adapted by Reiner Prochaska
Directed by Julie Herber
March 22 - April 15, 2012
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 3/25 & 4/15 at 7pm, Sunday 4/1 at 2pm

The All New Grand Ole' Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoe Down Jamboree
Created by Maryland Ensemble Theatre
May 10 - June 9, 2012
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 5/13 & 6/3 at 7pm, Sunday 5/20 & 5/27 at 2pm

TICKETS/LOCATION/DATES INFORMATION

Where: Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701 (map)

Dates: September 2011 - June 2012, Every Thursday through Sunday (except holidays)

Performances: Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, first and last Sundays at 7pm, middle two Sundays at 2pm (except holidays)

Ticket Prices: Adults $24, Students/Seniors $20, Thursday & Sunday evenings $15. (Additional service fees may apply.)

$5 Preview tickets - No Reservations/Cash Only - The first Thursday of each show.

Box Office: 301-694-4744 or marylandensemble.org or at the MET (Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 3pm, Friday 11am - 3pm and 1 hour before each show.)

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