Redfern Art Center Announces Five Productions to be Signed
KEENE, 9/15/03 - Keene State College’s Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond announced this week that five productions will be signed for the hearing impaired. “We are extremely pleased,” said Brickyard Pond Director William Menezes, “to make it possible for those with hearing impairments to enjoy fine theater and the question-and-answer session sessions we have after many performances.” Menezes explained that the opportunity to make this available to the public would not have happened without the cooperation of several constituents. “Keene State Office of Disability Services and President’s Office, Keene State Theatre, our visiting artists, Brickyard Pond, and Keene’s Colonial Theatre are collaborating to make this possible.”
Four of the events are plays, with the fifth event a dance concert’s post- performance question-and-answer session.
The first performance to be signed will be the Aquila Theatre Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s masterful exploration of the destruction of a noble spirit, “Othello.” The London-based Aquila, one of the most popular theater companies to visit the region in the past 10 years, will be seen Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Brickyard Pond’s Main Theatre. There will be a question-and-answer period with the cast after the performance.
Keene State Theatre will present the première of Ginger Lazarus’s play “Mockba” Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 14-18, at 8 p.m. with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. The Wednesday, Oct. 15 performance will be signed. “Mockba” is a tale about five American college students studying in Russia who decide to stage Chekhov’s classic “Three Sisters.” Lazarus was awarded the 1999 John Gassner Memorial Playwriting Award for “Mockba.” Dan Patterson directs.
One of America’s greatest modern dance companies, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, will appear at Brickyard Pond’s Main Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. “Modern dance doesn’t come any better than this,” wrote a critic for the Chicago Sun Times. Though the performance does not have any spoken words, the Company has agreed to stay afterwards and discuss their work with the audience; the discussion will be signed.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company visits Keene’s Colonial Theatre with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fences” by August Wilson. It is the story of Troy Maxson, a black man in 1950s Pittsburgh whose failed dream to become a professional ball player alienates him from his athlete son. Weston was the winner of the 2002 Moss Hart Award for best professional theater production in New England. The performance is at 7:30 p.m.
The final show of the fall to be signed will be Keene State Theatre’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Performances run Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 12-15, at 8 p.m. with the Wednesday, Nov. 12, performance being signed. The power of love to cloud minds, break hearts, and test friendships is at the heart of this comedy. We savor Shakespeare’s ingenious plot twists and brilliant language, while following four young lovers as they straighten out their convoluted affairs. Ron Spangler directs.
Menezes pointed out that Brickyard Pond is also presenting a play without words, “The Star Keeper,” from one of Montreal’s most celebrated puppet companies, Théâtre de l’Oeil. The production takes place Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.
“It is a family show,” said Menezes. “It combines visual poetry, music, and fantasy. Using a variety of puppet styles, it tells the story of Pretzel, a chivalrous worm, who embarks on a wondrous adventure to return a fallen star to the heavens. It is truly a story for all ages and the finest example of non-verbal communication that I have ever seen.”
Tickets prices vary from show to show. Those wishing further information can go to the Brickyard Pond web site, www.keene.edu/racbp, or e-mail the Brickyard Pond Box Office manager, Laura Wilson at lwilson@keene.edu. The box office phone number is 603-358-2168.
