Actors Theatre Swaps Shows, Adds CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION To Lineup

When opportunity knocked at Actors Theatre's door, Producing Artistic Director Matthew Wiener couldn't get the door open fast enough for Annie Baker's 2010 OBIE-Award winner for Best New American Play, "Circle Mirror Transformation."

Called "absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny" by the New York Times, the multi Drama Desk award winner has now been inserted in Actors Theatre's 25th anniversary 2010-11 lineup and will close out the season by replacing "An Enemy of the People" on Stage West at Herberger Theatre Center from April 22 through May 8.

"We have been trying for quite some time to secure the rights to this great new contemporary and uber-cool comedy," Wiener said. "We certainly would have preferred to have had it on our original schedule for next season, but it's too good, too smart and way too entertaining not to take advantage of this opportunity."

The Arizona Premiere of one of this season's most-talked about new off-Broadway plays offers a potent reminder of the impact we have on each other's lives.

Set in a small Vermont town, four individuals plunge head first into Marty Kriesberg's community center acting class. But are each of these lost souls ready for what Marty's acting-class exercises may reveal about them and their classmates?

"Our audiences will love this play," Wiener said.

The Silver Anniversary season opens Oct. 29 with "In the Next Room (Or The Vibrator Play)" which runs through Nov. 14. From Jan. 21-Feb. 6, Ron May will direct "This," Melissa James Gibson's bright, witty and unromantic comedy about a circle of friends backing their way into middle age.
The 2010-11 season will be the last for Actors Theatre's annual musical production of "A Christmas Carol," which will end its 19-year run from Dec. 4-24.

Playwright and comic Josh Kornbluth will perform his show "Andy Warhol: Good for the Jews?" from March 4-20.

Season tickets are on sale now. To celebrate Actors Theatre's 25th anniversary, season tickets are $125 for the complete five-show package. Flex-pass packages also are available for three and four shows at $75 and $100. Call (602) 253-6701, Ext. 108 or visit www.actorstheatrephx.org for more information.

Actors Theatre also is planning a series of events during the year as part of the 25th anniversary celebration.

For more information, visit www.actorstheatrephx.org.

About Actors Theatre of Phoenix Actors Theatre presents passionate, thought-provoking theatre designed to add to the social dialogue of the community. Our mission is to create professional theatre with a social conscience in an urban setting. The ideas and themes embedded in the work we produce are the framework for civic dialogue within our community. We have built a reputation as the company that takes the most risks and consistently delivers thought-provoking theatre; ensuring an ongoing connection between the plays and the people who attend our performances. Actors Theatre performs exclusively at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Actors Theatre has been named Producing Theatre Company of the Year by the Arizona Theatre Alliance and Arts Organization of the Year by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix.

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