The Strand Theater is proud to present arguably the strangest play ever presented at the Strand. For years, [sic] by Melissa James Gibson has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. At the heart the play contains universal themes of friendship, loneliness, love, and anger, but on the surface it is about nothing at all. "This play has forced the cast to really act. The play's purpose is to find the meaning in the mundane, the actors cannot rely on a plot to carry the performance," adds Artistic Director, Jayme Kilburn. "The script is itself an exercise in language. Creating characters people care about is our job."
Theo is a composer trying to create a heroic theme for an amusement park ride called the Thrill-o-Rama; Babette is a writer trying to finish-or even start-a book theorizing that temper tantrums are the major motivating force behind historical events; and Frank is a would-be auctioneer preparing for his future career by constantly practicing tongue twisters as "Sally sought some seeds to sow but sadly soon it snowed." By exploring these questing lives in language that alternates between exhilarating structural inventiveness and loony comedy, poignant soul-searching and incisive analysis of the life that may actually exist beyond one's four walls, Melissa James Gibson has created a unique play that is as witty and wise as it is stylistically groundbreaking and unexpected.
[sic] is directed by the Strand Theater's Artistic Director, Jayme Kilburn. Jayme started the Strand Theater (located in the Station North Arts District) in April 2007 after moving to Baltimore from California for an internship at CENTERSTAGE. Jayme was presented with the difficult task of turning a row home into a viable theater. Almost two years later and the Strand is still swinging, providing affordable space to local artists, creating inventive community projects, and continuously seeking plays that offer substantial roles for women.
The cast of [sic] includes Strand Theater Company Member and young community theater veteran Alec Lawson, playing the role of Frank. R. Brett Rohrer returns to the Strand as Theo. Brett has been seen at Spotlighter's Theater, Heritage Theater, and Laurel Mill Playhouse. Tami Moon stars as Babette. This is Tami's first time working at the Strand. Tami works with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and holds an M.A. in Media and Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art & Design and a B.A. in Theater from the College of Charleston.
[sic] opens Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 8pm. Opening night of [sic] offers a reception prior to the performance with refreshments donated by local restaurants. Following the performance, a talk back will take place with the cast and crew of [sic]. [sic] runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until December 13th.
Production dates:
Thursday, November 19th at 8pm ($5 Preview Night)
Friday, November 20th, 27th, and December 4th, 11th at 8pm
Saturday, November 21st, 28th, and December 5th and 12th at 8pm
Sunday, November 22nd, 29th, and December 6th and 13th at 2pm
Tickets are $15. Students, Seniors, and Broke are $10. Tickets can be reserved by calling 443-874-4917 or online at www.strandtheatercompany.org. Enter online code: BROKE to receive discount. Tickets are available one hour prior to each performance at the Strand box office.
The Strand Theater is a community theater dedicated to providing opportunities for women artists, writers, designers and directors. With a focus on producing original works, the Strand hopes to foster a love of theater for a new generation of patrons.
www.strandtheatercompany.org
