TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Stageworks Plans To Push Envelope In New Lineup

ADVERTISEMENT

By KURT LOFT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 18, 2008

TAMPA - Racism, prejudice and hatred are themes we can find on the street, but Stageworks insists on viewing them under an artistic microscope.

Tampa's innovative, at times courageous, theater company continues this theme by announcing its new season, five plays that together crackle with tension, dramatic wit and satire.

"Our mission is to challenge the thresholds of intolerance and insensitivity," says Anna Brennen, who founded the company 25 years ago. "That's our mission in every season. We tap into issues people generally aren't fond of having to face. But we do it with plays that are so compelling, people come and see them."

Stageworks splits production time between the Gorilla Theatre on Hubert Avenue and the Shimberg Playhouse at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. But in the fall of 2009, the company opens in a new community theater space - its first permanent home - at Grand Central at Kennedy in the Channel District.

It will continue to offer its grassroots education outreach programs and workshops, such as anger management "plays" involving inmates and troubled youth at area correctional centers.

Here's a look at the 2008-09 season. General admission tickets are $24.50 and $10 for students. For details, call (813) 251-8984 or go to www.stageworkstheater.com.

•July 10-27, Shimberg Playhouse: Noel Coward's "Private Lives," the sophisticated comedy that takes a farcical look at marriage.

•Oct. 10-19, Shimberg Playhouse: William Gibson's "Golda's Balcony," a powerful look at the life of Golda Mier, from impoverished early life in Russia to her role as prime minister of Israel.

•Feb. 12 through March 1, Gorilla Theatre: Lee Blessing's "A Body of Water," which introduces a middle-aged couple who wake up one morning to realize they can't remember who they are.

•May 7-24, 2009, Shimberg Playhouse: Conor McPherson's "Shining City," about an Irishman who seeks therapy after seeing the ghost of his recently deceased wife.

•July 9-26, 2009, Shimberg Playhouse: Douglas Carter Beane's "The Little Dog Laughed," a fast-paced, biting look at the world of celebrity and deception.

Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT