Press Release

Triad Stage Announces The 2009-2010 “A Season Together” 5-Play Lineup and the Return of the Holiday Hit Beautiful Star

New season provides patrons with more price-conscious options

(Greensboro, NC, February 23, 2009) —Triad Stage announces the MainStage series plays for its ninth season – “A Season Together” – which begins September 6, 2009, with a lineup of productions showcasing the bold acting and breathtaking design that have become the signatures of the Triad’s award-winning professional, regional theatre. The2009-2010 season features: a summer romance by William Inge, a power play by David Mamet, a comic adventure based on a Jules Verne novel by Mark Brown, the biography of a life in song by Larry Parr, and the world premiere of an Appalachian saga by Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett.

“As the lights fade and a play begins, the audience and the actors are suddenly united in a shared experience,” says Artistic Director Preston Lane. “Strangers become community as laughter, tears and wonder create a bond. Triad Stage celebrates this bond with five plays to remind us that no matter how uncertain the times, we can face whatever comes when we face it together.”

Picnic
A Summer Romance
By William Inge
It’s a peaceful time for a small quiet Kansas town in the early 1950s and summer is drawing to a close with the excitement of the annual Labor Day picnic. But the sudden arrival of Hal Carter, a handsome young drifter, stirs the emotions of a group of neighbors as he develops an instant attraction with Madge, one of the most beautiful girls in town. As Hal hides deep insecurities with grand shows of bravado, Madge is torn between her heart and her head in this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama where passions turn one small community upside down. Picnic runs September 6 – 27, 2009. Opening night is Friday, September 11.
 
Oleanna
A Power Play
By David Mamet
When an unconventional professor tries to help a struggling female student who is failing his class, the end result is far beyond what either originally expected in this shocking case of “he said, she said.” What begins as a simple meeting behind closed doors leads to misinterpretations, accusations and a high-stakes struggle for power. This controversial play by David Mamet (creator of The Unit and author of Glengarry Glen Ross) promises to defy expectations and challenge opinions. Who is right; who is wrong? Who is to say in this examination of power, privilege and political correctness? Oleanna runs October 18 – November 8, 2009. Opening night is Friday, October 23.

Around the World in 80 Days
A Comic Adventure
By Mark Brown
Adapted from the novel by Jules Verne
The classic tale springs to life in this clever, fast-paced comedy for the whole family. Proper gentleman Phileas Fogg strikes a wager and sets off on a race that puts his fortune and life at risk. With his faithful servant at his side, he has just 80 days to circle the globe–an inconceivable feat in the year 1872! Fierce natives, furious typhoons, runaway trains, a damsel in distress and a dogged detective threaten to delay him at every step in this delightful, whirlwind odyssey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to unexpected end. Around the World in 80 Days runs February 7 – 28, 2010. Opening night is Friday, February 12.

Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow
A Life in Song
By Larry Parr
From the hopeless slums of Philadelphia to the heights of fame, from anger towards almost everyone to a love for all mankind, Ethel Waters lived it all. Now her life takes center stage. From a childhood as a thief and unwilling bride, she became a Vaudeville success, a recording sensation and a Broadway and Hollywood star. Then a reputation for being difficult and her own distrust made her a recluse until she found a purpose beyond herself as a performer with the Billy Graham Crusades. Through it all, there were the songs, the ones that gave her strength and the one that made her a legend. This is her incredible story, filled with the greatest hits of a lifetime, including “Stormy Weather” and “Am I Blue?” Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow runs April 11 – May 2, 2010. Opening night is Friday, April 16.

Providence Gap
The World Premiere of an Appalachian Saga
By Preston Lane
Original music by Laurelyn Dossett
In the tradition of Brother Wolf, Beautiful Star and Bloody Blackbeard comes a new play blending magic, myth and music. Chance Presnell is lucky. Abandoned at birth, he is rescued by a stranger. He meets his wife by accident. And coincidence saves his only child. But luck can change. As war calls him to Europe and an old jealousy splits his family apart, fate twists and his fortunes reverse. From a farm in the Blue Ridge to a mill village in the Piedmont, from the trenches of World War I to the Mexican border, Chance must take his destiny into his own hands as he searches for a place where all that is lost can once again be found. Providence Gap runs June 6 – July 4, 2010. Opening Night is Friday, June 11.

Current 2008-2009 Season Passholders may renew their subscriptions now through Thursday, April 9. New 2009-2010 Season Passes go on sale Sunday, April 26. Passes range in price from $55 to $175. Tickets to individual shows will not be available until August 3, 2009. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seat location desired. Triad Stage performs every night of the week except Mondays, with matinees on Sundays.

The record-breaking holiday hit returns for a fourth season…
Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity
A Seasonal Celebration
By Preston Lane
Original music by Laurelyn Dossett
The Triad’s newest holiday tradition proves that the best tales are the ones worth repeating. Returning for a fourth season of celebration, Reverend Ledbetter and the Open Heart Community Fellowship gather again for their rendition of the Christmas story, with down home laughter, toe-tapping music and a tug at the heartstrings. Come experience the joy and wonder that have made Beautiful Star the biggest hit in Triad Stage’s history. Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity runs November 27 – December 23, 2009. Opening night is Friday, December 4.

Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity is presented as a special event and is not included in Season Pass packages. However, 2009-2010 Season Passholders have the exclusive opportunity to order advance Holiday Flex Tickets to Beautiful Star at a special reduced rate of $30 each with their Pass purchase or renewal. Otherwise, individual tickets to this show will go on sale August 3, 2009, along with individual tickets to the other 2009-2010 productions. 

Triad Stage has always been committed to its philosophy that high quality professional theater should be made available at prices the entire community can afford. Over the years, the company has initiated a number of practices that provide for discounted tickets to its productions – $10 Gallery seats at each performance, Pay-What-You-Can performances and Student Rush Tickets. To better serve a more price-sensitive public, the organization is making changes to its performance schedule and MainStage theater seating that will provide audiences with additional options to attend the theater at affordable prices:

• A 5-play season – By changing from a 6-play season, Triad Stage provides an overall reduced price to its Season Passholders. The move is also instrumental in the theater’s campaign to expand capacity by allowing for extended runs of popular productions and the addition of special events and season extras. 
• Additional Preview Performance – Opening Nights are moving from Thursdays to Fridays. The shift opens an additional evening prior to the official opening of each production to become a new low-priced Thursday night Preview performance in which all seats are on sale for $16.
• Expanded Area 3 Seating – 36 seats alongside the stage have been reclassified from “Area 2”, the mid-priced ticket tier, to “Area 3,” the low-priced ticket tier. The expansion provides another 648 low-priced seats per production.     

About Triad Stage
Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Mitre Agency, the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.

Triad Stage’s 2008-2009 MainStage “Season of Spirit” continues with Ghosts, a shocking exposé by Henrik Ibsen, in a world premiere adaptation by Preston Lane (March 15 – April 5, 2009); The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, a new comedic thrill ride by Robert Hewett (April 26 – May 17, 2009); and Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite, a classic comedy by Molière, translated by Curtis Hidden Page and adapted by Preston Lane (June 7 – 28, 2009).

All Triad Stage productions feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and haveearned the theater accolades including “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater”, Go Triad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year”, North Carolina Theatre Conference. 

To purchase tickets or for more information on productions, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160 or toll-free at 866.579.TIXX (8499), or visit www.triadstage.org.

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