Big Idea announces an exciting line-up for the 2013 season: Face the Tyrant.
Perfection, of a kind, was what he
was after
And the poetry he invented was easy
to understand;
He knew human folly like the back
of his hand,
And was greatly interested in
armies and fleets;
When he laughed, respectable
senators burst with laughter,
And when he cried the little
children died in the streets.
Epitaph on a Tyrant – W.H. Auden
What makes a tyrant? A large
question that inevitably leads to larger questions still. W. H. Auden seemed to
think that it didn't take much. Just take a normal person, a person with
hobbies, one who laughs loudly, and even sometimes cries, and then add a little
bit of power. Big Idea's 2013 season is riddled with questions about tyranny.
The irony in this comes from the fact that as a company, we are an almost purely
democratic entity. Big Idea is made up of 19 artists, actors, directors and
designers who all have an equal say in the shows that we produce each year.
Scripts are submitted annually, voted on by the company members, and the
majority rules. Most years there is little consideration given to an
overarching theme. This year, however, a theme emerged on its own. Seven plays
all dealing in one way or another with themes of revolution, oppression, and
the power of the human spirit to struggle against tyranny with every weapon in
its arsenal; from bloody violence to raucous humor.
The season opens simply, with the
courageous fight of one man to hold true to the highest of his beliefs in the
face of political and religious persecution and is book-ended by fast-paced,
time-traveling, complex exploration of the history of one man putting his boot
to the throat of another. The season in between is a rollercoaster ride of
comedy and drama that examines tyranny in the family, our own societies, and
the world at large. As we all continue to watch, with hopeful anticipation, the
effects of The Arab Spring and the growth of democracy throughout the world;
and as we continue to struggle here at home with our own understanding of free
speech and personal freedoms, now seems to be the perfect time to take this
journey.
So come and join us in the fight,
and we will see you at the theatre!
New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza At Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656
by David Ives.
by David Ives.
January 11 - February 9
One philosopher's progressive theories of divinity threaten to destroy an entire community. This brilliant young man is presented with an unimaginable dilemma: be true to himself or face excommunication from his religion and in the process lose his family, his culture, and the woman he loves.
As You Like It by William Shakespeare,
Adapted by Brian Harrower
Adapted by Brian Harrower
March 1 - 30
All the world's a stage, including Arden Park, where Rosalind flees in a desperate attempt to save her life after a coup deposes her father. Homeless and in disguise, she wanders through the urban wilderness, encountering a wacky assortment of colorful vagabonds and discovering love, laughter, and unexpected compassion along the way. Happy endings abound in this modern version of one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies.
More big ideas coming soon. Stay tuned!
A Contemporary American's Guide to a Successful Marriage
c. 1959 by Robert Bastron
c. 1959 by Robert Bastron
June 14 - July 13
It's the late 1950s. It is a time of innocence and overly-helpful public service announcements; where all a young woman needs to be blissfully happy is a husband, a home, and a baby to love. Or so we were told. Hilarity ensues as two young couples embark on their lives together aided by the ever present, but perhaps misguided advice of one eager public service announcer.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh
August 2 - 31
The untimely death of Wee Thomas the cat brings a heartbroken Irish freedom fighter with "anger management issues" home to say farewell. His search for those responsible for his beloved feline's demise leads to a series of violent and bloody reprisals. Uproarious, over-the-top, and unmistakably Irish, this play will have you simultaneously falling out of your seat with laughter and cringing in horror.
Lonesome Hollow by Lee Blessing
September 27 - October 26
In the not too distant future, a photographer of artistic nudes is sentenced to an open-ended imprisonment in a state run "penal village" for sexual offenders. Seeking to find peace among a community of rapists and child molesters, he builds a Zen labyrinth under the watchful eye of a sympathetic guard. With shades of Hawthorne, Guantanamo Bay, and A Clockwork Orange, this darkly thoughtful play explores the dangers of society's desperate quest for a sense of security.
Outrage by Itamar Moses
November 15 - December 14
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." A time-bending roller-coaster ride through history, Outrage deftly moves between Ancient Greece, the Inquisition, Nazi Germany and modern day academia. Outrage examines the price people pay for staying true to their principles in the face of vicious oppression and reminds us that the revolutionary of one era may become the tyrant of the next.
2013 Ticket Info:
All
“Thrifty Thursday” show tickets: $10
Advance ONLINE ticket sales: General
Admission tickets: $16 | SARTA/Senior/Student
tickets: $14
All Tickets sold AT THE DOOR: $20
Season
Tickets: $70
Flex Passes:
4-show ($52); 6-show ($78)
Gift Certificates
available!
www.bigideatheatre.com
