Having completed its 2013-14 season with the acclaimed production of True West, Davenport's QC Theatre Workshop is gearing up for its third season of performances with two exciting and funny presentations: the Tony Award-winning comedy 'Art,' running August 15 through 30, and Bat Boy: The Musical, with auditions for the October show taking place on July 26.
Translated by Oscar winner Christopher Hampton from the original French play by Yasmina Reza (author of 2009's Tony champ God of Carnage), 'Art' is a biting and hilarious exploration of male camaraderie, competitiveness, and ego. Reza's comedy revolves around the purchase of an enormous white painting, with white lines, that threatens the relationship of three longtime friends: Serge, who can't grasp his pals' disapproval of his new artwork; Marc, who can't fathom the $200,000 purchase of an all-white painting; and Yvan, who can't understand why everyone can't just get along.
Described by the New York Times as "very funny" and "an impeccably tailored piece of work," 'Art' received the 1998 Tony for Best Play and went on to run for 600 performances. The show was also produced by the area's Curtainbox Theatre Company in 2010, and the QC Theatre Workshop's Artistic Director Tyson Danner is delighted that the cast for that production - Adam Michael Lewis, Aaron Randolph III, and Mike Schulz - is returning, in their original roles, for this new take on 'Art.'
"At the Workshop, we are incredibly lucky to attract such stellar performers show after show," says Danner, "and these guys were all eager to reunite. I can't wait for our audiences to see what a riot they will be!"
Each member of the show's acting trio is already acquainted with the Workshop venue: Lewis appeared there in the Prenzie Players' 2013 production of Two Gentlemen of Verona; Randolph was the author of last summer's original drama A Green River; and Schulz performed in the company's springtime presentation of True West.
But while this stage reunion is taking place with the full support of 'Art''s Curtainbox director Dave Furness and producer Kimberly Kurtenbach Furness, Danner - who will direct the Workshop's production- stresses that the season-opener is not simply a remount of a previous area presentation.
"I am glad we can offer this play to our community again. Having been out of the area during the previous production, I'm looking forward to leading the production with a fresh perspective," says Danner. "Plus, 'Art' will take place exactly two years after our first production, and it couldn't be a better match. I love that we get the chance to produce this comedic flip-side of RED."
'Art' will be staged at the QC Theatre Workshop (1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport) from August 15 through 30. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m., and due to occasional strong language, the show is recommended for mature audiences.
Meanwhile, three weeks prior to 'Art''s opening, the theatre will host auditions for its October production (performance dates TBA) of the off-Broadway smash Bat Boy: The Musical, which will take place at the Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.
Loosely based on the notorious Weekly World News story about a half-boy/half-bat who was discovered living alone in a cave, Bat Boy is the hysterical, clever, and surprisingly touching tale of a strange young creature and the townsfolk who despise him - a genre-bending hit that led the New York Times to rave, "It's remarkable what [this show's] intelligent wit can accomplish."
James Fairchild, from last fall's Workshop production of Last Call: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim and director of the District Theatre's A New Brain, will direct Bat Boy. Roles are available for male and female actors of all ages and types, with most characters open to the double- (and even triple- ) casting of performers. Those auditioning should be prepared to read from the script, and should prepare 32 bars, or one verse and chorus, of either a pop-rock song or an up-tempo musical-theatre selection. No monologues will be required, but those auditioning should come prepared to tell a joke.
As with the Workshop's eight previous productions, both 'Art' and Bat Boy: The Musical will be presented under the company's popular "Pay What It's Worth" policy, which allows patrons to determine their own ticket prices following each performance.
or info@QCTheatreWorkshop.org, or visit QCTheatreWorkshop.org.
Bat Boy: The Musical auditions
Saturday, July 26, 1 - 3 p.m.
'Art' performances
Friday, August 15, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 17, 3 p.m.
Friday, August 22, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 23, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 24, 3 p.m.
Friday, August 29, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.
QC Theatre Workshop
1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport, Iowa, 52804
QCTheatreWorkshop.org
Facebook.com/QCTheatreWorkshop
