Sandbox Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata and Girl Friday Productions Set Programming for Park Square's Andy Boss Stage

The three companies in residence at Park Square Theatre for the 2015 season, Sandbox Theatre, Theatre Pro Rata and Girl Friday Productions, today announce their programming for Park Square Theatre's new Andy Boss Thrust Stage for the next year. These partners will bring diverse aesthetic approaches and artistic forms, fresh talent as well as favorite faces to Park Square's seasons over the next three years. Tickets sales begin July 31st for the theatres in residence.

Sandbox Theatre takes the stage first with their all new ensemble-created production WAR WITH THE NEWTS, playing May 13-30, 2015. Sandbox brings rich, visual storytelling to this exploration of Karel Capek's 1936 sociopolitical sci-fi tale of corruption, selfishness and absurdism. Told with Sandbox's signature stylized design, movement and language, WAR WITH THE NEWTS promises a sprawling, sharp-witted commentary on profit-first economies, the dangers of pride and nationalism, and a stern warning of our self-destructive nature. "The Andy Boss Stage is a brand new playground for Sandbox," says Sandbox Artistic Director, Derek Lee Miller. "We're looking forward to the challenge of bringing something the Park Square audience has never seen before. WAR WITH THE NEWTS is an odd little tale with big ideas for the modern world, it's a perfect match."

Next up, Theatre Pro Rata presents THE ILLUSION by Tony Kushner, directed by Carin Bratlie and playing June 10-28, 2015. After his son runs off to find his fortune, Pridamant seeks the aid of an eccentric illusionist; a sorcerer with the ability to conjure images and dreams. Scenes from the son's life marvelously appear before them, each an exotic and perplexing situation, each more inexplicable than the last, with varying names, shifting places, and dizzying rivalries. Adapted by Kushner from Pierre Corneille's classic comedy, THE ILLUSION reveals the boy's fate only at the very end, for better or for worse, and that it's not quite what his father was led to believe. "We had so much fun the first time we read THE ILLUSION that the actors wanted to come back the next night and read it AGAIN, says Theatre Pro Rata's Artistic Director Carin Bratlie. "We can't wait to share it with our audiences."

Finally, Girl Friday Productions concludes the theatres in residence season with THE MATCHMAKER by Thornton Wilder, directed by Craig Johnson and playing July 9-26, 2015. Wilder's hilarious farce about love, money and adventure features the signature humanity, wit and relevance of one of America's greatest playwrights. When wealthy merchant Horace Vandergelder engages the services of legendary matchmaker Dolly Levi, he gets much more than he bargained for. Under Dolly's clever guidance, a swirl of innocent clerks, spirited millineresses, snooty waiters and other eccentric characters become delightfully entangled in 19th century New York. Amidst the physical comedy, secret rendezvous and mistaken identities of THE MATCHMAKER, Wilder infuses wry observations about wealth, class and matrimony.

Girl Friday Productions has a special affinity for the works of Thornton Wilder, having created critically acclaimed productions of OUR TOWN in 2007 and THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH in 2009. "We are delighted to return to Thornton Wilder," says Girl Friday Productions' Artistic Director Kirby Bennett. "A tonic for our troubled times, THE MATCHMAKER celebrates living life to the fullest while also delivering a potent message about generosity that holds sharp relevance for all Americans today. Wilder reminds us that money, like adventure, should be shared!"

Park Square Artistic Director Richard Cook commented on the theatres in residence season: "The programming by this trio of producers is so smart: they've each chosen pieces that capitalize on their strengths and pump up their passions," said Cook. "They've also decided to debut on the Boss Stage with works that soar with ambition while still taking advantage of the wrap-around immediacy of the space. And each of their productions can and will stand boldly on its own - adding additional diversity to what one writer described as Park Square's 'thundering herd of plays.' I can't wait to experience and share their work as a unique series of events.

Tickets will go on sale at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31st. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Park Square Box Office at 20 West 7th Place in St. Paul, over the phone at (651) 291-7005, and on line at www.parksquaretheatre.org. Tickets may be purchased for all three productions as a package or as single show tickets. Single tickets are $25 each with discounts available for students, seniors, groups and Fringe button holders. The package of three shows is available for $69 ($23 per show).