Open Stage Theatre 2008-9 Season - "1, 2, 3, Laugh!"

The Mystery of Irma Vep

(Charles Ludlam)
October 30 - November 15

CLASSIC COMDEY!
“On a dark and stormy night” something prowls the English moors in this high-energy, mock-gothic, comedy classic. Watch as two men astonishingly play all the characters in this side-splitting romp and quick-change extravaganza. The fun begins as Lady Enid, young second wife of famed Egyptologist Lord Edgar, arrives at the family’s country estate and struggles to win Edgar’s heart from the memory of his late first wife while surviving the werewolves, vampires, ghosts and ghouls that make up the mystery of Irma Vep.

Satirizing everything from Alfred Hitchcock to Hamlet and from Abbot and Costello Meet the Mummy to Young Frankenstein, this showpiece of virtuosic acting was America’s most produced play of 1991, and became Brazil’s longest-running play in 2003. Join Open Stage as we celebrate Halloween 2008 with ghosts, ghouls and the season's funniest side-splitting highjinx.

DON’T MISS OUR BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY
– free, after our special 10pm Halloween performance

No Child…

(Nilaja Sun)
February 5 – 22

PITTSBURGH PREMIERE!
When teaching artist Nilaja Sun attempts to mount a production of the play Our Country’s Good at Malcolm X High School in the Bronx, things go far worse than she had hoped – or do they? This tour de force performance features 16 characters flowing seamlessly from the mouth of one performer – Pittsburgh’s own Rita Gregory. Don’t miss this insightful, funny and ultimately hopeful look at America’s broken education system.

In conjunction with this excitingly topical play, Open Stage Theatre is preparing to hold a series of panel discussions inspired by the issues behind No Child...:. Facilitated discussions on Education in America are tentatively scheduled to be held after each performance of the show! Be sure to be a part of the conversation.

Disinfecting Edwin

(Amy Hartman)
April 23 – May 9

A NEW PLAY!
Amy Hartman, Pittsburgh’s leading contemporary playwright (Mazel, The Chicken Snake) takes you on a hilarious journey through love and compulsion in her new comedy. Poor Augie; she’s so excited: held hostage in her own Texas bomb shelter by off-kilter – and clearly pregnant – Cecil; she isn’t sure whether to laugh or cry! Will she be rescued? Will she save herself? Will she and Cecil team up against her two-timing husband? Find out for yourself in the premiere of this rich, character-driven comedy!

Open Stage is proud to continue its 17 year long tradition of supporting local artists by producing this new play in its premiere production.