The Strand Theater Company marks the midpoint of its fourth season with Sheila Callaghan’s antic revenge story, That Pretty Pretty; or, The Rape Play.
About the show: "Blending fantasy, feminism, and satire with gonzo bouts of sex and violence, this dark, dark, dark comedy will shake audiences out of their theatrical doldrums and leave them talking well into the night, debating how the media portrays “dangerous women.”"
In That Pretty Pretty…, radical feminist ex-strippers Agnes and Valerie scour the country on a murderous rampage, offing douchey dudes in seedy hotel rooms and blogging their exploits in gruesome detail. Meanwhile, scruffy screenwriter Owen tries to bang out his magnum opus in another seedy hotel room, while his buddy Rodney indulges some baser instincts. When Owen decides Agnes and Valerie are the cure for his writer’s block and weaves the “dangerous women” into his script, reality unravels. Can Jane Fonda—yes, that Jane Fonda—prevent complete chaos?
The Strand’s Founding Artistic Director Jayme Kilburn brings this acerbic acid trip to startling life in what will be her final production with the company. "It was not an easy decision to leave the Strand, particularly when every season has marked an evolution in scope and quality. This year especially I have been particularly challenged with two great plays: first Anna Bella Eema and now That Pretty Pretty…. Sheila’s material is really jarring, for the artists and will be the same for audiences. I sit in rehearsals sometimes disgusted at what we are creating; the characters’ behavior and the physical staging are both so extreme. But this is precisely the kind of challenge I embrace as a director and producer.” Due to the highly graphic nature of the play, the production is suitable for adult audiences only.
Sheila Callaghan's plays include Scab, Crawl Fade to White, Crumble (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake), We Are Not These Hands, Dead City, Lascivious Something, Kate Crackernuts, and Fever/Dream. Her work has been produced and developed by companies throughout the country, including Woolly Mammoth and Rorschach in DC, Soho Rep and Playwrights Horizons in New York, California’s South Coast Repertory, and Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Sheila is the recipient of many awards and fellowships, including the Princess Grace Award for emerging artists. She has taught playwriting at Columbia University, The University of Rochester, The College of New Jersey, Florida State University, and Spalding University. Named one of Variety’s “10 Screenwriters to Watch” in 2010, she was one of the staff writers for the Emmy-winning Showtime series, The United States of Tara.
Performance Schedule
Thursday, February 2nd at 8pm (Pay-What-You-Can Dress Rehearsal)
Friday, February 3rd at 8pm (Opening Night: pre-show reception and post-show Q&A)
Saturday, February 4th at 8pm
Friday, February 10th at 8pm
Saturday, February 11th at 8pm
Wednesday, February 15 at 7pm (School Night: students and teachers $3 with ID)
Friday, February 17th at 8pm
Saturday, February 18th at 8pm
Ticket Prices
Adult: $20, Senior (65+): $15, Student: $10, Opening Night: $25
Other discounts may be available; like the Strand on Facebook or follow the Strand on Twitter to learn more.
About the Strand.
The Strand Theater Company is a community theater dedicated to providing opportunities for women artists, writers, designers, and directors. With a focus on producing works new to Baltimore, the Strand hopes to foster a love of theater for a new generation of patrons.
Since launching in 2008, the Strand has presented 14 full-length plays, including six world premieres; offered 75% of the artistic positions on its productions—as playwrights, directors, designers, stage managers, and actors—to women; provided affordable theater space to many organizations and independent artists; and played an integral role in the revitalization of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.
In August 2011, the Strand was honored as one of Baltimore magazine’s “Top 5 Baltimore Theaters,” along with CENTERSTAGE, Everyman, the Hippodrome, and Single Carrot.
