A Delicate Balance Opens Next Stage Season at Theatre Memphis 9/24-10/10

Theatre Memphis' first offering of the 2010-11 season on its Next Stage will be Edward Albee's 1966 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama A Delicate Balance, September 24 - October 10, 2010. A Delicate Balance performances are at 7:30pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays with matinees on Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $23 for adults. Students with a valid ID are admitted for $15.

In this ferocious and funny drawing-room comedy, the wealthy middle-aged couple, Agnes and Tobias, has their complacency shattered when Harry and Edna, longtime friends appear at their doorstep. Claiming an encroaching, nameless "fear" has forced them from their own home, these neighbors bring a firestorm of doubt, recrimination and ultimately solace, upsetting the "delicate balance" of Agnes' and Tobias' household.

This production headlines an ensemble cast of veteran Theatre Memphis actors that have acted, directed and served Theatre Memphis in a variety of ways over a period of decades. The cast includes, Pamela Poletti, Karen Mason Riss, Barclay Roberts, Christina Wellford Scott, Ann Sharp and Bennett Wood. Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch says, "This is really the cream of the crop when it comes to a cast. Between the experience of almost 200 years of combined stage experience and the fact that these tremendous actors volunteer their time to be on our stage as well as to serve on our Board of Directors and to participate in many of our volunteer committees just proves what an amazing base Theatre Memphis has to draw from day to day. These people, having worked together on so many levels, have created a really tight cast dynamic, too." According to director Jerry Chipman, not only is it relevant that the cast has a personal dynamic but, "The play somehow seems even more relevant today with its seemingly comfortable upper class citizens facing nameless fears in an uncertain America. Financially secure and perfectly dressed occupants sip martinis in a well appointed living room somewhere in upscale suburbia, but their talk hides fears and doubts that cover concerns of aging, mortality, infidelity, family loyalty and fragile friendships."

As a special promotion, Theatre Memphis has partnered with Joe's Wines and Liquors and Star Distributors to create three specialty cocktails that somewhat mirror the emotions of the play. The cocktails, "Bitters, Party of One" (Sazerac rye whiskey, vermouth, bitters ), "Gin X" (Magellan gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice) and "Sunny Side Up" (Sobieski vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup) will be sold at intermission and at area restaurants in connection with the run of the show. "It was so obvious from the script that these characters really liked their cocktails," says Randall Hartzog, Director of Marketing and Communications at Theatre Memphis. "We thought it would be a fun way to involve the audience and market the show by creating something special that could be ordered in connection with the show."

Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner of Perkins and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our audiences and participants.

Visit our website at www.theatrememphis.org.

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