Theatre Exile Announces 2013-14 Season: TRUE WEST, ANNAPURNA & More

Theatre Exile asks the question "Who am I?" this year and next with three witty and incendiary plays during their 2013-2014 season. The season will include two Philadelphia premieres - c*ckby Mike Bartlett and Annapurna by Sharr White - as well as an American classic - Sam Shepard's True West.

"Theatre Exile is always interested in delving into questions of identity in the plays we present. This season we'll explore the universal battle to discover a sense of self in these three works," says Producing Artistic Director, Deborah Block. "And we'll continue our legacy of being the first to bring exciting new voices to the Philadelphia arts community with two local premieres in our 17th season."

Theatre Exile will launch their 2013-2014 season from their South Philadelphia Studio X with the Philadelphia premiere of c*ckby British playwright Mike Bartlett(Oct. 17 - Nov. 10, 2013). A stripped-raw story, c*ckis an exploration of how definitively society identifies individuals by one's sexuality and the toll that can take on the human psyche. Deborah Block helms this daring, witty and honest portrayal of the fight for identity. c*ckwill be followed by Sam Shepard's True West (Jan. 30 - Feb. 23, 2014), directed by Associate Artistic Director, Matt Pfeiffer and presented this winter at Plays and Players Theatre. Speaking to the heart of Exile's mission, Shepard's classic play examines the human condition, focusing on the vicious rivalry between brothers, Austin and Lee, as they reunite for the first time in years. The season will close with the Philadelphia premiere of Annapurna by Sharr White (April 17 - May 11, 2014), brought to the intimate Studio X under the direction of Founding Artistic Director, Joe Canuso and starring Philadelphia favorites Pearce Bunting (HBO's Boardwalk Empire, Theatre Exile's A Behanding in Spokane) and Catharine Slusar (Theatre Exile's Iron, Any Given Monday). The play explores how former lovers Ulysses and Emma have each changed and what has changed between them in their 20 years of separation. Can the time apart be enough to face the depths of denial and forgive the devastation of their past?

Theatre Exile will continue their Studio X-hibition New Play Development series with readings of three new plays by local playwrights including the Frank Rizzo project (yet to be titled) by Bruce Graham, based on the book by Sal Paolantonio, and featuring North of the Boulevard star, Scott Greer. [Dates TBA]

For tickets and information: www.theatreexile.org or 215-218-4022, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Theatre Exile's 2013/14 Season

Cock
October 17 - November 10, 2013
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Written by Mike Bartlett
Directed by Deborah Block
Studio X, 1340 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Cock is an exploration of how definitively society identifies individuals by one's sexuality and the toll that can take on the human psyche. Written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, this stripped-raw story follows John as he is forced to decide what he is in order for those around him to accept who he is.

True West
January 30 - February 23, 2014
Written by Sam Shepard
Directed by Matt Pfeiffer
Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Shepard's classic play focuses on the rivalry between brothers, Austin and Lee, as they reunite for the first time in years. Their reunion is fraught with extreme tension and catastrophic power shifts. Each brother struggles through their jealousies in order to sustain superiority by stealing each other's characteristics.

Annapurna
April 17 - May 11, 2014
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Written by Sharr White
Directed by Joe Canuso
Featuring Pearce Bunting and Catharine Slusar
Studio X, 1340 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Annapurna is a beautifully written love story about the long lost romance between soul mates, Ulysses and Emma. They explore how they have each changed and what has changed between them in their 20 years of separation. Will they be able to fix what was destroyed so long ago? Can the time apart be enough to face the depths of denial and forgive what is past? Founding Artistic Director, Joe Canuso will direct Philadelphia favorites Pearce Bunting (HBO's Boardwalk Empire, Theatre Exile's A Behanding in Spokane) and Catharine Slusar (Theatre Exile's Iron, Any Given Monday) in the intimate Studio X.

To post a comment, you must register and login.