Magenta Giraffe Theatre Co Presents Its Third Staged Reading Festival

As part of its mission "to reestablish and expand Detroit's theatre district," Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company has chosen plays by Michigan natives or current Michigan residents to stage as part of a festival to take place May 21 and 22, 2011, at 1515 Broadway in downtown Detroit, 48226. Attendees will see a reading of each play and are encouraged to participate in workshop-style discussion afterward. Admission is by donation only.

The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Saturday, May 21

4:00 pm (one act)
No Strings Attached
By Sean McClellan
Directed by: Kirsten Knisely

(Comedy.) Two puppets make an effort to get a breath of fresh air before they die. Debating the nature of their existence, they meet a trapped Jack-in-the-box on the way and realize that their existence as dancing marionettes has robbed them of the freedom they can achieve simply by cutting their strings. Funny and thought provoking, this play comes to us from a student at Oakland University.

7:00 pm (one act)
Defiantly Yours, Detroit
By Audra Lord
Directed by: Lisa Melinn

(Drama.) Playwright Audra Lord explores the energy and personality of the city of Detroit through a variety of characters, including an artist, a musician and a homeless woman. Written in verse, this piece had much to say about where Detroit is, where it has been, and where it could possibly go from here.

9:00 pm (full length)
Grown Ups
By playwright-in-residence Sean Paraventi
Directed by: Alex D. Hill

(Comedy.) A man must come to terms with his own life when faced with a life-changing decision of his son's. Relationships are explored and tough choices are made by a family determined to make the right decisions in a difficult situation.

Sunday, May 22

4:00 pm (full length)
Harness
By Kevin Young
Directed by: Michael Carnow

(Drama.) Two men discuss their past and friendship as they wait for rescue on the side of a mountain. Secrets emerge about one of the men that need to be explored by the other as he grapples with the true nature of his friend's life and just what he meant by a message he scratched into a rock while they were stuck on the mountain.

8:00 pm (full length)
Call Me Cass
By Margaret Edwartowski

(Musical.) Ever wonder about the story behind the scenes of the Mamas and the Papas, and Cass Elliott in particular? Well, wonder no more! This new play from Margaret Edwartowski explores the life of Cass Elliott, told in part by the music of the Mamas and the Papas.

For additional information on the 2011 Staged Reading Festival featuring Michigan playwrights, contact Frannie Shepherd-Bates or visit www.magentagiraffe.org.

ABOUT Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company - Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization that acts to eliminate apathy, violence, prejudice and barriers to education through theatre productions, projects and programs; and further acts to reestablish and expand Detroit's theatre district.

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