Raye Birk News

Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced the 21 plays of the Theater's 2009-2010 season, a blend of classics, fresh takes on timeless themes and exciting presentations - including renewed and continuing partnerships and the return of the Guthrie's prestigious WorldStage program. Ranging from uproarious comedies to a modern retelling of Ibsen's feminist classic to stories centered on Chinese opera and American jazz, the 2009-2010 season showcases Shakespeare, celebrated Irish playwrights and new American voices.

A Delicate Balance is written by Edward Albee and directed by Gary Gisselman Over the course of a weekend, and with the help of numerous cocktails, Agnes and Tobias try to maintain the 'delicate balance' between self-destruction and survival, while providing refuge and a measure of comfort to family and friends in their suburban home. When their adult daughter Julia returns home after her fourth failed marriage, and two friends Harry and Edna move in unexpectedly, many well-masked feelings and opinions are finally vented. Thanks in part to a well-stocked liquor cabinet, and the permanent presence of Agnes's alcoholic sister Claire, sparks fly and the balance of their family life begins to topple.

The Guthrie announced today that actor Tom Tammi has left its production of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance for personal reasons. The role of Tobias will be played by Guthrie veteran Raye Birk, who recently concluded his fourth consecutive year as Scrooge in the theater's perennial holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.

Inspired by Charles Dickens' immortal story, this perennial holiday production returns for its 34th year at the Guthrie. Ebenezer Scrooge (Raye Birk) greets each Christmas with his well-known 'bah humbug,' until one Christmas Eve he learns that his stinginess and uncaring attitude will doom him to walk the earth after death wearing a heave chain created by his selfish ways. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come visit Scrooge during a restless night, showing him happy memories from his past, cruel realities from the present and the desolate future should he continue his cantankerous ways.

The Guthrie is proud to announce complete casting for its 34th production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Adapted by Barbara Field and again under the direction of Gary Gisselman, A Christmas Carol will feature actor Raye Birk, who returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge for the fourth consecutive year.

'Old Wicked Songs,' by Jon Maranas, directed by Peter Rothstein, will be opening September 13 at the Guthrie Theater.

Jeffrey Hatcher's hilarious adaptation of The Government Inspector closed late last month, concluding the Guthrie's official 2007-08 season. The 2008-09 season, kicked off by Little House on the Prairie, features an entire season of plays for the two main stages that are receiving their first-ever Guthrie productions.

The Guthrie is pleased to announce that tickets for the 34th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will go on sale Monday, August 25 at 10 a.m.

The Guthrie is pleased to present Theater Latté Da's production of 'Old Wicked Songs' by Jon Marans. Directed by Peter Rothstein, the 1996 Pulitzer Prize nominee opens Theater Latté Da's 11th season, performing in the Dowling Studio from September 12 through October 5 in repertory with their recital of Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe, the song cycle at the heart of the play.

The Guthrie is pleased to present Theater Latté Da's production of Old Wicked Songs by Jon Marans.

One of the most famous comedies ever written, The Government Inspector offers nonstop hilarity, as news of a surprise visit from an undercover government inspector sends a small provincial Russian town spiraling into a world of panic and greed.

The Guthrie today announced casting for 'The Government Inspector', a bitingly hilarious political comedy by famed local playwright and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher.

The Guthrie today announced that veteran Twin Cities actor Sally Wingert will lead the cast of Third, Wendy Wasserstein's candid and uncompromising portrait of a woman entering the third part of her life. Casey Stangl will direct the production, the first Wasserstein work ever produced by the Guthrie. Third begins previews February 16 and runs through March 30 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.

Gary Gisselman returns to direct the 33rd year of A Christmas Carol, the Guthrie classic inspired by Charles Dickens' immortal tale.

The Guthrie is proud to present its 33rd annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Adapted by Barbara Field and again under the direction of Gary Gisselman, A Christmas Carol will feature actor Raye Birk, who returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge for the third consecutive year. A Christmas Carol begins previews November 20, opens November 23 and plays through December 29, 2007. Tickets are priced from $29 to $64 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.