PTC Sets Lineup for 2015 New Play Reading Series

Pioneer Theatre Company announces the titles in the second season of its reading series, "Play-By-Play." Play-By-Play provides developmental rehearsal periods for three new plays each season, with the playwright working alongside a professional director and cast for a week-long residency, culminating in three public readings of each play available to theatregoers at a very modest cost. The plays will take place at smaller venues on the University of Utah campus.

The three plays announced for upcoming readings are:

Speculator Spirits
by Josh Tobiessen
Directed by Wes Grantom
February 20 and 21, 2015

When a young woman brings her fiancé to her estranged father's haunted liquor store, she's hoping for a quick visit. But she finds that the past, and old boyfriends, have a way of catching up with you.

Slow Food
by Wendy MacLeod
Directed by Julie Kramer
March 6 and 7, 2015

A vacationing couple celebrates their anniversary at a Greek restaurant in Palm Springs, but will the marriage survive an intrusive waiter who insinuates his way into their meal and their lives?

Mr. Wheeler's
by Rob Zellers
Director TBA
March 27 and 28, 2015

Life is a challenge when you work at a moribund fast food restaurant in a decaying inner city. But don't underestimate the resilience of the scruffy band of young people who work the breakfast shift at Mr. Wheeler's.

PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg said of the program, "Last year was the first year of our Play-By-Play series, and I was pleased with the work we were able to do on these new plays and with the response from our audience. In a week-long residency, the playwrights have the opportunity to work with a director and actors to refine and improve their script in rehearsal, and then to hear an audience's response-prompting further assessment of the intentions and impact of the play. It was fun to share this kind of work with an audience specifically interested in and enthusiastic about storytelling. One of the plays from last year, Alabama Story, is receiving a full production on Pioneer Theatre Company's main stage this year. This season's selections will again offer, in an intimate setting, a first look at three fresh new plays."

Current PTC season ticket holders may purchase tickets to the readings for $5.00 per ticket. Non-season ticket holders may purchase tickets to individual readings for $10.00 or may purchase a pass for all three readings in advance at the same time for $25.00. All tickets are general admission.

Individual tickets may be purchased through the PTC Box Office by calling 801-581-6961 or online at https://tickets.pioneertheatre.org.