Mixed Blood Theater Presents CRASHING THE PARTY, 2/2-3/4

In Josh Tobiessen's world premiere comedy, CRASHING THE PARTY, Sally Wingert and Joe Minjares lead a multi-ethnic, multi-generational family as they pursue the American Dream.

Replete with all seven deadly sins, the play explores how ambitious goals and dreams may be not quite as ideal as they were first imagined. Directed by Sarah Rasmussen, Crashing the Party runs February 10 through March 4 at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre on the West Bank, 1501 W. Fourth St., Minneapolis.

Wingert and Minjares portray Catherine and David Martin, hardworking parents who lavish their children with material possessions and leave them with nothing to work for. Borrowing from the droll conventions of classic big-cast comedies, Tobiessen (in his Minneapolis debut) has written an uproarious farce that dissects how parental aspirations can both inspire and derail offsprings' personal drive and purpose.

Crashing the Party also features the talents of Ansa Akyea (Frank), Laura Esposito (Eleanor), Rolando Martinez (Arthur), Mo Perry (Agent Grant), Rose Le Tran (Britney) and Ricardo Vázquez (David, Jr.). The creative team includes Joe Stanley (set), Moria Clinton (costumes), Paul Epton (lights), Katharine Horowitz (sound) and Genoveva Castañeda (properties).

"Crashing the Party is reflective of Mixed Blood's participation in America's new play universe, in its world view via its on-stage population, and of its funny bones. It's an old-fashioned comedy done in a new-fangled way. As Sally Wingert said after a workshop of the script, 'Sometimes it's just good to laugh out loud in a theatre!'," said Jack Reuler, Mixed Blood's Artistic Director.

A preview of Crashing the Party will be held Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.; the show opens Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Sunday, March 4. Performances are Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with 3:00 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Access Night, with ASL interpreting and audio description, is Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be captioned in English with projected supertitles. An Industry Night, with an insider talk-back following the show, will be on Monday, February 27 at 7:30 pm. All performances are in the Alan Page Auditorium at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre at 1501 S. 4th St., Minneapolis. After every performance, Mixed Blood offers a FREE FOR(U)M, where audience members and staff hold post-show conversations. At the SUNDAY SALONS (following each Sunday matinee), panels of specialists lead the discussion.

Crashing the Party features "Radical Hospitality," Mixed Blood's no-cost admission for all mainstage plays. There are two ways to attend a performance: 1) First come, first served no-cost admission: Mixed Blood holds a significant number of seats for no-cost admission on a first come, first served basis for each performance. To access these seats, audience members register online at www.mixedblood.com or in the lobby (lobby opens two hours prior to the show). 2) Guaranteed admission: Audience members can guarantee entry for an individual performance by paying a $15 fee online at www.mixedblood.com or by calling the box office at (612) 338-6131. Seating begins 45 minutes before show time and there are no assigned seats for either first come, first served or guaranteed admissions.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE ON NEXT PAGE.

Mixed Blood Theatre presents

CRASHING THE PARTY

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

February 9-March 4, 2012

First Come, First Served No-Cost Admission - $0; Guaranteed Admission - $15

(612) 338-6131 or www.mixedblood.com
Thursday February 9 7:30PM Preview

Friday February 10 7:30PM Opening

Saturday February 11 7:30PM

Sunday February 12 3:00PM
Wednesday February 15 7:30PM

Thursday February 16 7:30PM

Friday February 17 7:30PM

Saturday February 18 7:30PM

Sunday February 19 3:00PM
Wednesday February 22 7:30PM

Thursday February 23 7:30PM Access Night*

Friday February 24 7:30PM

Saturday February 25 7:30PM

Sunday February 26 3:00PM
Monday February 27 7:30PM Industry Night

Wednesday February 29 7:30PM

Thursday March 1 7:30PM

Friday March 2 7:30PM

Saturday March 3 7:30PM

Sunday March 4 3:00PM Closing
*Access Night: ASL-interpreted and audio-described. (All shows are captioned in English with projected supertitles.)

About Mixed Blood Theatre

Now in its 36th season, Mixed Blood Theatre invites the global village into its audience and onto its stage for provocative, inclusive, and predictably unpredictable theater. With programming in its historic firehouse in Minneapolis, regional tours, and customized productions addressing workplace inclusion, Mixed Blood uses relevant and entertaining theater to spawn a ripple effect of social change. In 2010, Mixed Blood Theatre Artistic Director Jack Reuler received the Theatre Communications Group's prestigious Peter Zeisler Memorial Award for exemplifying pioneering practices in theater, freedom of expression, dedication and risk-taking for the advancement of theater arts. This year, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Mixed Blood launches Radical Hospitality, providing no-cost access to its mainstage productions for any audience member.