ALIVE & DEAD IN INDIANA and More Set for Fort Wayne Civic Theatre Playwright Festival, Now thru 6/10

Fort Wayne Civic Theatre presents the plays of the 3rd Annual Northeast Indiana Playwright Festival:

Featured Play - Alive & Dead in Indiana
(presented June 1-10)
Adapted by Doug Long, based on the book by Fort Wayne Native Michael Martone

Civic Theatre presents this mythological and very funny look at the influential and, at times indecent, Indiana natives who have called it home. Celebrate the history and heritage of the Hoosier state, with some imagined stories of real people, including James Dean, Vice President Dan Quayle, the sultan of secret spices, Colonel Sanders, and the first student of sex, Alfred Kinsey. Through the narrator's voice each story stands on its own, yet flows seamlessly into this clever compilation. Alive and Dead in Indiana is sponsored by the Civic Theatre Guild. Guest Director: Louise Jones.

Doug Long and Michael Martone will be attending the Festival and conducting a workshop, participating in panel and post show/readings and discussions. For more information on the Workshop ($15) & Panel Discussion ($10) - call 260.424.5220.

1st Place - Althea's Well
(presented June 2-9)
by Ruth Tyndall Baker

God-fearing Althea Wheeler struggles to hold her own against her abusive husband, and by praying to her personal God, finds the strength to do the unspeakable. This morality play is set in post-depression Missouri where educated drifters are viewed with great suspicion - except by a God-fearing woman! The drifter finds his need for family met in Althea. In a theme that resonates in any decade, the heroine overcomes emotional and financial burdens to claim her own happiness. Guest Director: Gregory Stieber.

2nd Place - Hands Under the Table
by Theron RD Steinke (Stage Reading on June 2 at 4pm)

This one-act drama takes a raw and uncensored glimpse into the private lives of characters in three different scenarios taking place throughout the city at 2:00 am. We first meet Frank and Elsie recovering from a break-in in their quiet, refined home. Across town we peer into Biggie's Strip Club where 19 year old Cassie is caught by her father, trying to comprehend his daughter's new part-time job. Finally, on two adjoining balconies, neighbors Scott and Kate discuss Kate's dangerous relationship with her boyfriend. Guest Director: Kirby Volz.

3rd Place - Spring at the Willowbrook Inn
by Douglas C. Evans and Jonathan Van Dyke (Stage Reading on June 2 at Noon)

Both a comedy and drama, the play follows the lives of Cooper Stanwyk and Joshua Hill from their first meeting in 1967 at a motivational conference. This unlikely pair develops a deep relationship based on mutual understanding and love as their lives unfold separately. Through correspondence and decades of meeting at the Willowbrook they become pivotal in each others lives. The story touches on the struggles of different eras, the sadness of regret, and the hope and courage of two people that are ultimately connected. Guest Director: Harvey Cocks.

Alive and Dead in Indiana
Performances
Friday, June 1 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 3 - 2:00 pm
Thursday, June 7 - 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 9 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 10 - 2:00 pm

Althea's Well
Performances
Saturday, June 2 at 8:00 pm
Friday, June 8 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 9 at 2:00 pm

Tickets - Adults $24; Age 23 & Under $16; Senior Sunday Matinee $20

Tickets for the Play Readings of Hands Under the Table and Spring at the Willowbrook Inn - $10
Workshop with Michael Martone and Doug Long - $15
Panel Discussion with Michael Martone & Doug Long - $10

For tickets, Call 260.424-5220 or go online at fwcivic.org.

For more information about the festival, click here.

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