When a theater company names itself Company of Fools, one has to believe the members are a wee bit crazy. Over the next three weeks, the Fools, who are based in Hailey at the Liberty Theatre, will present 10 performances of David Lindsay Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Rabbit Hole," eight readings of four plays, and six workshops.
It's enough to make one's head spin. If it's Tuesday it must be "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds."
This hectic and challenging artistic period known as Fools Exposed "grew out of a desire to explore more deeply the relationship between artist and audience," core company artist Denise Simone said. "We wanted to find a project where we could share our process, pull back the curtain, so to speak, and go behind the scenes. We wanted to find a way to have a dialogue with our audience about what we did and the relevance of that work in our world today."
Fellow core company artist John Glenn is equally sanguine.
"This event brought us such immense satisfaction and joy last year," he said. "It's such a great opportunity to be able to connect to our audience and take down the fourth wall."
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 19, with "Rabbit Hole," each of the shows will feature actors from the community as well as guest artists, including stage and screen veteran Lynn Cohen, Virginia-based actresses Debra Wagoner ("Always...Patsy Cline") and Kelly Kennedy ("Frozen"). As well, New Yorkers Lynn and Ron Cohen, the latter a theater critic, actor and director, will teach a master acting class, and the Getting Back at the Critic workshop. Together the Cohens have taught at universities around the country.
The Idaho premiere of "Rabbit Hole" will feature Lynn Cohen, Anna Johnson, Jeff Maxwell, Denise Simone and Joel Vilinsky in a fully staged play under the direction of John Glenn.
Directed by Ron Cohen, "Seascape" by Edward Albee will be read on two nights in March. The winner of the 1975 Pulitzer Prize, this major work was critically hailed in its successful Broadway production. The reading will feature Lynn Cohen, Jennifer Jacoby Rush and Joel Vilinsky.
A huge and influential hit when it opened on Broadway, "The Heidi Chronicles" won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. Written by the late great Wendy Wasserstein, the play examines the progress of a generation from the socially and politically activist 1960s to the success-oriented 1980s, a time in which American women underwent profound and sometimes unsettling changes.
Andrew Alburger directs Maddie Cordovano, Scott Creighton, Kelly Kennedy, Christine Leslie, Claudia McCain (as Heidi), Keith Moore, Doug Neff and Debra Wagoner.
"The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds" by Paul Zindel won the Pulitzer in 1971. One of Off-Broadway's greatest successes, this study of an embittered widow and her two young daughters has been hailed as one of the most significant and affecting plays of our time. Claudia McCain directs Maddie Cordovano, Alexandra Peck, Debra Wagoner and Russell Simone Wilson.
"The Pulitzer Review" will cover the seven musicals that received the Pulitzer Prize for drama over the years, including "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls," "A Chorus Line," "Sunday in the Park with George" and "Rent." Directed by Dennis Rexroad and R.L. Rowsey, the musicals will include songs performed by Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, John Glenn, Kelly Kennedy, Cheryl Morrell and Debra Wagoner.
Thursday Workshop Exposures
· Act-Ive Partnerships: partners with a vision
Company of Fools' core artists will hold a lunchtime discussion about the impact of community partnerships on developing a vibrant, nationally recognized arts destination in the Wood River Valley.
· Exposing Your Creative Self
Taught by Denise Simone, this interactive workshop will untap the healing power of individual creativity. Space is limited to 25 participants.
· Getting Back at the Critic
Ron Cohen has written about and reviewed theater for decades for such publications as Women's Wear Daily, W magazine, Backstage and London-based Musical Stages. Join him as he explores the critical fraternity in New York City, how a critic works and the scoop behind the "scoop."
Saturday Workshop Exposures
· Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! But How?
Designed for everyone age 16 and above who wants to improve their skills at auditioning for musical theatre. Join instructors Dennis Rexroad and R.L. Rowsey as they explore how to choose an audition song, how to learn a dance combination, and how to improve your skills so you're better prepared for the next audition. Limited to 22 participants.
· Movement, Music, Muscles, Memory and iMagination!
Taught by Kelly Kennedy, this class will explore the process of creating new work through voice, movement, music, poetry and improvisation to create a world premiere in the time it takes to clean your room. Expect to vocalize, dance, count, contribute and collaborate. Space is limited to 18 participants.
· Master Class Acting Class
Taught by Lynn and Ron Cohen, four scenes will be presented by various actors and then explored by the Cohens. Their approach is not to direct but rather to discover what the actors feel they should accomplish and then share the various approaches that might be taken.
There are $25 passes available that allow the holder to attend all of the readings and workshops during Fools Exposed. Reservations for events with a limited number of participants are still required. This pass is non-transferable and non-refundable, and doesn't include "Rabbit Hole." A pass plus a ticket to "Rabbit Hole" costs $40.
Fools Exposed
What: "Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Where: Liberty Theatre, Hailey
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, Pay What You Feel Preview.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, and March 5.
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, Educator Night
7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, and March 7, Educator Night
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, March 1 and 8.
2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.
Cost: Tickets for "Rabbit Hole" are $25 for adults, $18 for seniors (62 and over) and $15 for students (18 and under). These ticket prices do not include the Pay What You Feel Preview, 10 for $10 and Educator Nights.
What: Workshops
· ACT-IVE Partnerships, Thursday, Feb. 21, noon at the Liberty Theatre.
· Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! But How? Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m. at the E. G. Willis Building.
· Exposing Your Creative Self, Thursday, Feb. 28, noon. At the E.G. Willis Building.
· Movement, Music, Saturday, March 1, 2 p.m. at the E. G. Willis Building.
· Getting Back at the Critic, Thursday, March 6, noon at the Liberty Theatre.
· Master Acting Class, Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m. at the E. G. Willis Building.
What: Readings
Where: Liberty Theatre, Hailey
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, "Marigolds"
2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 27, "Revue"
7 p.m. Sunday, March 2, "Heidi"
7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, "Marigolds"
7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, "Seascape"
2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, "Seascape"
7 p.m. Sunday, March 2, "Heidi"
Cost: Readings and workshops are $5.
To register for a workshop call 788-6520, for tickets to readings and "Rabbit Hole" call 578-9122 or purchase one hour prior to show time, at the Liberty Theatre, 110 N. Main St., in Hailey.
Fools Exposed is made up of volunteers, artists, board members audience members.
Photo by Kirsten Shultz
