Syracuse Stage Shows Play Coast-to-Coast This Month

During the month of February, Syracuse Stage will have four productions appearing coast-to-coast. Here locally, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play will complete its run on February 15. Sizwe Banzi is Dead recently completed a run in Princeton, NJ and will start up in Syracuse on February 25. Other Desert Cities will start performing in Portland, OR on February 21 where it will run several weeks before moving to Syracuse Stage in April. Stage's fall production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson had a second run in Seattle, WA that ended February 8.

All except In the Next Room are co-productions, which join together the artistic efforts of two or more theatres. Each participating theatre has oversight in casting, direction, and design including scenic, costume, lighting, and sound. In addition to sharing production costs, participating theatres can benefit from a wider pool of artistic collaborators, ensuring top-notch productions.

Sizwe Banzi is Dead is a co-production with McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton, NJ) and the Market Theatre (Johannesburg, South Africa.) The production has been called "extraordinary" (BroadwayWorld.com). The funny and poignant drama explores freedom and identity in apartheid-era South Africa. It is directed by John Kani, one of the co-creators of the script and actors in the original cast. His performance received the 1975 Tony Award for Best Actor. Syracuse Stage welcomes Sizwe Banze is Dead to the Archbold Theatre February 25 ­through March 15.

After Sizwe, Syracuse Stage will close its 2014-15 season with Other Desert Cities, directed by Syracuse Stage's Producing Artistic Director, Timothy Bond, and co-produced with Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR. Other Desert Cities is by Jon Robin Baitz, the creator of TV's hit drama Brothers & Sisters. This seriocomedy depicts a family drama between a liberal middle-aged writer and her conservative parents. The Broadway play was a 2012 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The play will run at Syracuse Stage April 8-26.

Also directed by Bond, August Wilson's The Piano Lesson performed at Seattle Repertory Theatre from January 16 through February 8, after appearing this past fall at Syracuse Stage. The Piano Lesson depicts a conflict between family members over whether or not to sell an antique piano. Reviews praised, "the show comes alive with a rich and stirring history only made more poignant through the stunning direction and performances." (Broadway World)

In the Next Room, or the vibrator play performs at Syracuse Stage now through February 15. Set in the 1880s, the story follows a doctor experimenting with a new instrument for treating female "hysteria." Tickets and information are available at www.SyracuseStage.org.

Syracuse Stage is Central New York's premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 300 plays in over 40 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 70,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays, and bold interpretations of classics and musicals, featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves more than 15,000 students from 14 counties. A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.

Pictured: Other Desert Cities: Ned Schmidtke, Barbara Broughton, D'Arcy Dersham, Joel Reuben Ganz, and Susan Cella. Photographer Patrick Weishampel.