Theater Works NewWorks WESTival Begins Friday

Theater Works at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts announces the opening of its NewWorks Festival "WESTival" this Friday, July 11, 2014.

"Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is committed to providing new experiences for playwrights, actors and our community. The WESTival Festival is an exciting way to make that happen," commented Dan Schay, Theater Works Executive Director. "We are very grateful to WESTival's presenting sponsor, Judith Hardes, for giving us the opportunity to host our Second Annual NewWorks Festival.

All performance tickets are $11 including fees for non-members and $8 for Theater Works Members.

The schedule of NewWorks performances are as follows:

Revokable Trust

Written by: Richard Warren

Directed by: Richard Powers Hardt

Friday, July 11, 2014 7:30 pm | Saturday, July 12, 2014 2pm

Revokable Trust is a new play from the author of Burning in the Night A Hobo's Song, a hit at Theater Works in 2013. Richard Warren is one of Arizona's leading playwrights. The co-founder of the long-running Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals at Phoenix Theater, Warren brings his unique ability to combine comedy with the truths of family life to Theater Works.

Synopsis: Bunny, a greeting card illustrator and Byrd, her ex-baseball player husband, struggle to maintain their eternal love as their materialistic daughter Lucy grasps for money, marriage and more. This unusual comedy pits virtue against violence, decency against deception, and sincerity against secrecy.

Finding Mona Lisa

Written by: Michael McKeever

Directed by: Daniel Schay

Friday, July 18, 2014 7:30 pm | Saturday, July 19, 2014 2pm

Michael McKeever, an award-winning playwright based in Miami, Florida has entertained audiences in America, Europe, Russia, and beyond with plays filled with wit, insight, and a quirky sense of humor.

His new play spans centuries and continents to examine the origin, legend, history, and mystery of the world's most famous painting. Experienced Valley actor and co-founder of the Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals at Phoenix Theater, Mark DeMichele leads a cast of six in the role of the brilliant but mercurial Leonardo Da Vinci.

Winter

Written by: Robert Caisley

Directed by: Jere Hodgin

Saturday, July 19, 2014 7:30 pm | Sunday, July 20, 2014 2 pm

Robert Caisley is Associate Professor and Head of the Dramatic Writing Program at the University of Idaho. His plays have been seen at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's New Play Conference, New Theatre (Miami, FL), Montana Repertory Theatre, New Jersey Repertory, Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA, and many more.

Synopsis: This new play spans centuries and continents to examine the origin, legend, history, and mystery of the world's most famous painting. Experienced Valley actor and co-founder of the Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals at Phoenix Theater, Mark DeMichele leads a cast of six in the role of the brilliant but mercurial Leonardo Da Vinci.

Anything You Hear and Only Half of What You See

Written & Directed by: Ron Hunting

Saturday, July 26, 2014 7:30 pm | Sunday, July 27, 2014 2 pm

Ron Hunting has been a force in the Arizona theater scene for more than 25 years, as an actor, director, partner in Algonquin Theater, and playwright. His talents have crafted favorite West Valley productions ranging from Martin McDonough's The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lonesome West to Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men to Dale Wasserman's PREMIERE and more.

Synopsis: Time: Present; Place: Phoenix, AZ Summer; Setting: A small warehouse??

While making his appointed rounds, mailman George Ruth witnesses a murder. He thinks it's a drug deal gone bad. He's wrong. He soon finds himself being held against his will and questioned by... well, he's not sure, and they are not saying. One thing is for sure, it's a matter of national security; but are his captors interested in preserving it or breaking it? Or maybe just all about good old fashion personal gain.

This new play is a drama, a comedy (of the blackest sort), a caper and a fascinating piece of theatre.

The WESTival Festival opens on July 11, 2014 and runs through July 27, 2014. For press information please contact Skye Fallon at skyefallon1@gmail.com or call 917.806.0269.

To purchase tickets please call the Theater Works Box Office at 623.815.7930 Monday - Friday 10am to 2pm. For information on all upcoming shows and events please visit www.theaterworks.org.

Theater Works, at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is in its 29th season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley. As a destination, it features more then 200 events a year including: live theater, classical concerts, jazz, popular music, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, youth and adult education classes and much more. Theater Works is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call the box office at 623.815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.

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