Grosse Pointe Theatre Launches New Venue, Opens ART

Art,the smart, adult, Tony Award-winning play by Yazmina Reza and translated by Christopger Hampton is the first show to be produced in the new Purdon Studio Theatre (PST) by Grosse Pointe Theatre.

The inaugural performance will be on Friday, February 19th, in the PST beginning with an 8:00 p.m. show and followed by an hors d'oeuvres and champagne reception featuring art work by the late Jac Purdon. The $25 Opening Night tickets include the show and afterglow.

Regular evening performance dates are February 20, 26 and 27 at 8:00 PM, and matinee performances are on February 21 and 28 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, on-line www.gpt.org, or call or visit the G.P. Theatre Box Office 313-881-4004, 315 Fisher Rd. G.P., Mon.-Sat. 10:00a.m -1:00p.m.

The Purdon Studio Theatre, located in the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Activities Center , 1100 Lake Shore Road , Grosse Pointe Shores , was named in memory of long-time Grosse Pointe Theatre members Carol and Jac Purdon, whose bequest was used to develop the "black box" performance space.

The play, which won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play, is a funny, sophisticated, stylish, stimulating and moving piece about the bonds of friendship. A seemingly harmonious relationship between three friends, Marc, Serge and Yvan, is suddenly threatened and ultimately tested when one of them buys a controversial work of modern art -an immaculately white canvas displaying only a few white paint strokes. The purchase provokes questions of taste, pretension, and money among the friends. Their resulting passionate discussions are incisive and thought-provoking yet laced with laughs. PLEASE NOTE: This show contains strong language and is recommended for mature audiences. Children will not be admitted.

Art is performed by actors Ron Bernas of Grosse Pointe Woods , Rick Mason of St. Clair Shores and Nick Szczerba of Woodhaven, and directed by Vonnie Miller of St. Clair Shores .

Two shows complete the Grosse Pointe Theatre Season at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Fries Auditorium. In March, GPT presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, a wild and zany comedy which runs March 7, 11-14, and 17-20, 2010. The grand finale of the season is the ultimate 50s rock'n'roll musical, Grease, with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, which runs May 9, 13-16, and19-23, 2010.
Grosse Pointe Theatre, a community theatre founded in 1947, has a tradition of great entertainment and high production values. Membership in Grosse Pointe Theatre is open to all persons, age 18 and above who have an interest in theatre. Call 313-881-4004 or visit the web site at www.gpt.org for more information.

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