Sound Theatre Co Premieres THE RULES OF CHARITY

Sound Theatre Company continues their 2018 season The Human Family: Towards a Radical Inclusion with the Seattle premiere of THE RULES OF CHARITY. The older generation clashes with the younger in this provocative and subversive play by the late John Belluso, a playwright who championed honest portrayals of people with disabilities. THE RULES OF CHARITY will perform August 4 - 25 at the Center Theatre at the Armory with new Radical Hospitality ticket pricing from $5 - $75 for all seats and all performances. "A lacerating critique of altruism" (SF Weekly).

Monty, a brilliant, queer father who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair, spars with his care-taker daughter in the haunting relationship at the heart of this play that examines what it means to be disabled and marginalized in modern American society. In this Seattle premiere, Sound Theatre forges a new path for local audiences as we highlight authentic narratives that emerge from lived experience.
Mature Content. See website for more details and information about accessible performances.

Sound Theatre Company's Artistic Director Teresa Thuman, acknowledges that this is new for some Seattle audiences. "For years the Seattle theatre-going community has been engaged in a meaningful discussion about diversity on our stages. This is an ongoing and ever-expanding process and we at Sound Theatre are thrilled to usher in a new experience of inclusion."

Who Writes the Rules of Charity?

Inclusion Pricing, Barriers and Radical Hospitality: To further probe the modern concepts of charity, central to the title of Belluso's play, Sound Theatre Company is introducing a tiered ticket pricing for all performances and all seats. We ask audiences to actively engage in their own commitment to the cultural conversations of our day, and consider the many barriers experienced by diverse communities that limit their participation in the arts: these barriers can be physical, thematic and economic. Tickets are priced at $5, $25, $50 and $75. The standard $25 price of a ticket only pays for about 40% of the cost of producing, even for an all-volunteer production and with an all-volunteer staff. Sound Theatre Company board of directors decided to change this approach, and recognize the broken, and exclusive pricing and funding structure of regional theatre. Audience members can choose any seat, at any of the four prices, for any performance during the run. In addition, Sound Theatre is taking a "front and center" approach to hosting disabled audience members, offering prime seating and facilitating access.

POSTER DESIGN: © Ken Holmes

POSTER ARTWORK: © Sarah Greenman