Upstream Theater Opens its Fifth Season with the US Premiere of Polish Playwright Ingmar Villqist's Internationally Acclaimed HELVER'S NIGHT October 9 - 25

Upstream Theater opens its fifth season with the US premiere of Polish Playwright Ingmar Villqist's internationally acclaimed Helver's Night, October 9 to 25, 2009.

Upstream Theater will open its fifth season with the US premiere of Ingmar Villqist's internationally acclaimed Helver's Night, translated from the Polish and directed by Philip Boehm, starring Linda Kennedy* and Christopher Harris*, with set design by Scott C. Neale, costumes by Michele Siler, and lighting by Joe W. Clapper.

Helver's Night is a harrowing look at a society on the verge of totalitarian takeover from the perspective of a mentally disabled man and his guardian. Set in the 1930s, the play opens with a middle-aged woman preparing dinner in a working-class apartment, while paramilitary mobs are marching and chanting outside. A younger man bursts in with a flag and a beret, excited to be a part of the group. From his speech we learn that they are attacking some people they consider "undesirable." What he doesn't realize is that he is next on their list, and that his guardian must try to save him from the very mob he wants to join. Helver's Night has been translated into several languages and performed all across Europe, where it has won numerous awards for author Ingmar Villqist.

The US premiere opens October 9th and runs through the 25th at the Kranzberg Arts Center in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Building at 501 N. Grand (corner of Olive). On Thursday through Saturday, shows begin at 8 PM and on Sundays at 7 PM-except the final show October 25th, which begins at 3 PM.

Tickets are $25. Senior tickets (65 and older) are $20, and full time students with valid ID may purchase tickets for $15. Thursday student rush tickets are available for $12.50. Group rates are also available (advanced purchase required). Tickets may be purchased online at www.upstreamtheater.org

In the winter we present The Double Bass by German writer Patrick Süskind, a fun, witty and moving solo with J. Samuel Davis* about the trials and tribulations of a symphony bassist (January 29-Feb 14, 2010 at various venues) and our spring show is Outlying Islands by David Greig, which shows three characters caught in a web of mounting sexual tension on a remote island off the coast of Scotland on the eve of WW II. This play runs April 9-25, 2010 at the Kranzberg Arts Center and features Elizabeth Birkenmeier, Ben Nordstrom*, Jason Cannon* and Jerry Vogel*. Rick Foster's Starry Messenger is also back by popular demand, to be presented to schools in December, 2009.

Upstream Theater is a professional Production Company dedicated to presenting new works and inventive stagings of classical plays, with a special focus on joint ventures involving artists from other countries. We operate under a full contract with Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States (*indicates the actor is a member).

Upstream Theater gratefully acknowledges support from the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, the Missouri Arts Council (a state agency), the Regional Arts Commission, The Trio Foundation of St. Louis, and the Whitaker Foundation.

 

Our goal is to move you - and move you to think!

 

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