Announcing

Karen Kalensky joins Interplayers as Consulting Artistic Director

Spotlight

INTERPLAYERS 28th Season—(2008-2009)
Spokane’s Downtown Professional Theatre

The Dining Room
by A.R. Gurney (Sept. 17-Oct. 4)

Interplayers begins the 28th  season in the theatre’s ensemble tradition with an all-star cast in A.R. Gurney’s brilliantly conceived and richly humorous tour de force featuring six performers who portray a wide array of diverse characters as they delineate the decline of the now neglected room which was once the vital center of American family life.

The actors change roles, personalities and ages with virtuoso skill as they portray a variety of characters, from little boys to stern grandfathers, and from giggling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events. Dovetailing swiftly and smoothly, the scenes coalesce into a theatrical experience of exceptional range, compassionate humor and abundant humanity.

“. . . hilarious and touching. . .” —NY Post

“… a thoughtful and superbly written comedy . .—Variety“

. .. very moving. . .”—NY Times

Directed by Karen Kalensky
Cast: Karen Kalensky; Reed McColm; four others

Exits and Entrances
by Athol Fugard (Oct. 16-Nov. 1)

Interplayers presents the story of the relationship between a young actor on the threshold of his career as a playwright and an aging actor who has reached the end of his career on the stage. The young man’s optimism and hope balance the despair and disillusionment of the older actor. The action takes place in a series of scenes set in various dressing rooms during which the confrontation between the two differing realities plays out with humor, pathos and dramatic power. As the rave reviews reveal, this play celebrates theatre and its abiding significance.

“[Fugard] can say more with a single line than most playwrights convey in an entire script . . .”  —Variety

“. . .thought-provoking, elegant and engrossing . . .” —Hollywood Reporter

Directed by Karen Kalensky
Cast: Maynard Villers & one other

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Together Again for the First Time
by Reed McColm (Nov. 20-Dec. 7)

This is your opportunity to witness a unique event in Spokane’s and the nation’s stage history. It’s the “Show of the Holiday Season!” Reed McColm directs the professional stage premiere of his script contemporaneously with the opening of the feature movie (screenplay by Reed McColm and Feff Parkin).  Damon Abdalla (Bus Stop; A Woman in Black) returns to Interplayers stage.

Together Again for the First Time is a comedy/drama about a family gathering at Christmas. This is the first time since their marriage that Audrey, Max and all of their children have been together in one place. As everyone arrives on Christmas Eve, things become somewhat complicated, including a visit of a fiancé.  …And, there are family secrets!

Directed by Reed McColm
Cast: Damon Abdallah; 8 others

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A Reduced Christmas Carol
by Ann Whiteman— (Dec.)

Our 2^nd Annual Holiday Festival 50-minute special event, featuring Maynard Villers, Reed McColm, Patrick Treadway, and John Hart in Ann Whiteman’s adaptation of the Dicken’s classic. A perfect addition to your downtown visits in December.

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Fences
by August Wilson—Readers’ Stage (January)

By popular request, we have re-established our Readers’ Stage presentations that produced To Kill a Mockingbird, Love Letters, and Tuesdays with Morrie, two seasons ago. Fences will be staged during January with a matinee performance on MLK Day that benefits the Carl Maxey Scholarship Fund at Gonzaga University.

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Cowgirls
by Betsy Howie, music & lyrics by Mary Murfitt (Jan. 29-Feb. 14)

Reed McColm joins with Scott and Pamela Brownlee to direct an hilarious musical for the winter months in Spokane.
Jo is in a pickle: she has 24 hours to save her father’s once-famous country-western saloon in Rexford, Kansas from foreclosure. What will pack in a crowd to make the money she needs? Mickey, the wise-crackin’ waitress, has been dyin’ to get on stage and prove she’s got what it takes to make it as a country singer, and Mo the cashier/cook is right behind her. Jo, however, has booked what she thinks is the “Cowgirl Trio.” The problem is that it is the Coghill Trio: Rita, Lee and Mary Lou, classical musicians on a reunion tour.

The six women mix like oil and water—it’s classical versus country! Can they meet in the middle? You can bet your boots that it raises the roof! And, saves the bar?         

“A joyous slapstick hoe-down!” —NY Times

“An unplugged gem of a musical . . .” —NY Newsday

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The Belle of Amherst
by William Luce (February 26-March 14)

Ellen Crawford (director of Grace & Glorie; Sparky & the Fitz and former “ER” star) returns to Interplayers stage to perform in this acclaimed play based on the life of Emily Dickinson. The play explores the life of America’s greatest woman poet at various stages of her experience, from the age of 15 until she died a virtual recluse. Her life is recreated with excerpts from her poetry and by the method of her playing the multiple roles of her father, teacher, and friends. Christopher Scharaio (Public Theatre, Lewiston-Auburn, MN) directs.

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Waiting for Godot
by Samuel Beckett (March 27 –April 4)

Karen Kalensky, Interplayers Consulting Artistic Director, directs members of the ensemble cast to produce this acclaimed classic tragicomedy. The play presents Beckett’s seminal exploration of the futility of humankind’s hope. 

Directed by Karen Kalensky.
Cast: Maynard Villers; Reed McColm; and others

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The Graduate
Stage adaption by Terry Johnson (April 22-May 9)

California in the 60's… Benjamin has excellent grades, very proud parents and since he helped Mrs. Robinson... a fine future behind him.

A cult novel, a classic film that was the quintessential hit of the 60's, playwright Terry Johnson has skillfully adapted it, reconceived it,  and given it the poise and structure of a classical comedy. It received it's world premiere production at the Gielgud Theatre in March, 2000. 

Maynard Villers (Driving Miss Daisy; Rounding Third) directs.   

(rights pending on some plays)