Local Theater Company Announces Plays For Local Lab New Play Festival

Boulder-based Local Theater Company(Local) announces selections for its eighth annual Local Lab New Play Festival taking place March 15-17 at Dairy ARTS Center, including "Flame Broiled. or the ugly play," by Broadway actor and Colorado resident Rodney Hicks, "Discount Ghost Stories" by Alexander Sage Oyen and Colorado resident Jessica Kahkoska, and "Orange Crush" by Daniel Goldstein, presented in partnership with Roundabout Theatre in New York City.

Local Lab brings artists from Colorado and across the country to Boulder for this three-day festival of new American plays. In addition to the three readings at the Dairy ARTS Center, Local will partner with 5280 Artist Coop in Aurora, Colo., to present an additional reading of "Flame Broiled. or the ugly play" on Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at 1400 Dallas St., Aurora, Colo.

"The plays included in Lab this year are socially challenging, funny, mysterious and highly theatrical" said Pesha Rudnick, founding artistic director. "Theater is a collaborative art form at all stages of development. We're honored to kick off partnerships with Roundabout Theatre Company and 5280 Artist Coop, two companies we admire for their commitment to inclusivity and bold new work."

Now in its eighth year, Local Lab New Play Festival has become Boulder's premiere new work festival, featuring professionally-staged readings, post-show discussions with playwrights, and two parties for socializing. Local Lab audiences play an important role throughout the festival, offering feedback as the writers move scripts forward into full productions, either at Local Theater Company or at regional and off-Broadway theaters across the country. PBS's Eden Lane will facilitate post-show discussions at Dairy ARTS Center.

Local Lab serves as the first step in Local Theater Company's development pipeline, with the possibility of readings culminating in a full production. This was the case with Local's critically acclaimed productions of "Paper Cut" by Andrew Rosendorf, "The Rape of the Sabine Women, By Grace B. Matthias" by Michael Yates Crowley, and "Wisdom From Everything" by Mia McCullough.

All-access Local Lab Festival Passes are $99 and include all readings, a panel conversation with the playwrights, a sneak peek at Local's educational theater program and exclusive access to Lab's two parties and receptions. As of Jan. 27, all-access Local Lab passes are sold out; audiences may sign up on the waitlist. Individual tickets to the readings will be available beginning Feb. 21 through the Dairy Box Office. Please visit https://tickets.thedairy.org or call 303-444-7328. Show-only tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students, military service members and individuals under the age of 30.

For Local Lab New Play Festival images, please visit http://bit.ly/LocalLabFestivalImages.

About the 2019 Local Lab Plays and Schedule

A full schedule is available at www.LocalTheaterCo.org.

Friday, March 15, 2019 7:30 p.m. (Grace Theater, Dairy ARTS Center)

ORANGE CRUSH By Daniel Goldstein
Directed by Pesha Rudnick

When Tony Schwartz was 35 years old, he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to write a book with an up-and-coming real estate magnate. He took the job, and the book was a runaway success; its subject was catapulted into worldwide fame. When that real estate magnate becomes the President of the United States and could single-handedly destroy Democracy as we know it, Tony has to ask himself, am I responsible?

"Orange Crush" was originally commissioned by, and is presented in partnership with, Roundabout Theatre Company. Jill Rafson, director of new play development, will serve as Dramaturg.

Saturday, March 16 6 p.m. (Grace Theater, Dairy ARTS Center)

DISCOUNT GHOST STORIES

Book, Music and Original Lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen

Book, Adapted Text and Archival Research by Jessica Kahkoska

Directed by Austin Regan

These are ghost stories as you've never heard them before. A lovesick miner, a legendary outlaw, a hopeful pioneer and an eclectic posse of phantom musicians make up "Discount Ghost Stories," a unique musical experience weaving Rocky Mountain tales of life, death and the beyond. Immerse yourself in forgotten Colorado lore, a score of original rock tunes, and play a part in the development of Local's first musical experience by catching this show at Local Lab 2019. The next opportunity will be at Trident Booksellers and Cafe this June.

Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. (Grace Theater, Dairy ARTS Center)

Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m. (5280 Artists Coop, 1400 Dallas St., Aurora, Colo.)

FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play By Rodney Hicks

Directed by Rodney Hicks and Markus Potter

"Flame Broiled. or the ugly play" is a 90-minute vignette play that centers on race and culture in our sometimes Black and White America. The four actors transform and become many various people who believe and say many various things. There is anger, there is joy, there is laughter, there is confusion; above all it ends with three words: I love you. But you gotta get through the ugly to see the joy.

About Local Theater Company

Local Theater Company (Local) is a nonprofit theater company that discovers, develops and produces new American plays. We engage audiences through innovative performances that spark camaraderie, learning, and contemplation, and provide a resourceful environment for theater artists to take creative risks and develop their work. We believe theater is a local experience. When you elect to enter an audience, you create a new community where, for that brief span of time, everyone is a local. Learn more at www.localtheaterco.org. Engage with us on Facebook or Instagram(@localtheaterco).