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American Stage Season Applauds Plays' Diversity

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2008

By SARAH HOYE
The Tampa Tribune

ST. PETERSBURG New year, new theater season.

American Stage Theater Company in St. Petersburg is gearing up for its 2008-09 season including works from legendary contemporary African-American playwright August Wilson and newspaper columnist Mitch Albom.

"What usually marks our season is that it's diverse; it's a mix of things," says Todd Olson, American Stage producing artistic director. "The audience wants to be challenged and argue into the night; they want to laugh and be entertained, and we take that very seriously."

Folks at American Stage are so serious about what they do, they went so far as to "commit" to plays by Wilson, which means they will produce his works for 10 years — a large feat for a mid-sized theater company. This season will feature Wilson's "King Hedley II," which follows an ex-convict on the road to redemption.

"There's nothing really like it in American literature," says Olson, adding that Wilson should be compared to Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. "I just think he sings the American song. Yes, it's specific to Pittsburgh and specific to African-American life, but we all can see ourselves in his words."

With the plethora of cable channels, You Tube videos and iPods taking people's attention, Olson says theater is the real-time alternative.

"I just think the way the world is moving these days, it's harder and harder to have an authentic human experience and to be moved by something that is live," he says. "Technology allows us to be farther and farther from people … but we need to sit together and go through this."

Still, there's one production that will remain under wraps until May.

"Its award-winning and had a recent Broadway run," Olson says and laughs. "But we can't talk about it."

American Stage plans to move into its new downtown facility in spring 2009.

Here's a look at the lineup:

"By the Waters of Babylon," Sept. 19 to Oct. 12. Passions kindle between a recluse with a past and her gardener poet from Cuba, who has come to rescue her neglected garden; written by Richard Schenkkan.

"A Tuna Christmas," Nov. 14 to Dec. 28. Two actors portray more than 20 characters in this holiday comedy about the third-smallest town in Texas; written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams.

"King Hedley II," Jan. 23 to Feb. 15, 2009. Mix the death of Aunt Ester with a gamble to peddle refrigerators, a garden of seeds and a final act of retribution for one ex-convict; written by August Wilson.

"Lysistrata," March 13 to April 5, 2009.The Peloponnesian War has been raging for two decades and the women are tired of it. So one brave lady, Lysistrata, has a naughty plan; written by Aristophanes, adapted by Todd Olson and T. Scott Wooten.

"Altar Boyz," April 17 to May 10, 2009. Off-Broadway phenomenon follows a Christian boy band in crisis as it hits the road from Ohio to New York.

"Tuesdays With Morrie," June 5 to June 28, 2009. Play looks at the relationship between one young man and his nursing home counterpart; written by Jeffrey Hatcher after Mitch Albom.

Tickets are $22 to $35 per show. Season subscriptions are on sale now, and single-ticket sales start Aug. 15. American Stage is at 211 Third St. S; St. Petersburg; (727) 823-7529

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

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