2013-2014

SEASoN51Theater for The Heart

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Dear Friend,

Welcome to Season 51 at CENTERSTAGE. This year, it’s all about the heart.With a roster of remarkable theater artists and stunning stories, it’s a season of uproarious comedy, breathtaking music, gorgeous poetry, and unexpected adventures.

Each of these plays says something fundamental about what it means to be human, about what it means to feel. To love, to laugh, to think and to ponder, to long for something or someone, to risk an adventure not knowing where you’ll end up. They are beautifully crafted plays, each with a daring and thoughtful take on matters of the spirit.

Want to join us on this adventure? Membership is the best way to do it. Not only do Members receive the best seats at the best prices, but they serve as the very foundation that allows this theater to thrive. Won’t you join us?

Warmly,

Kwame Kwei-ArmahArtistic Director

Theater for The HeartSEASoN51

Animal CrackersA Musical Comedy GemBook by George S. Kaufman & Morrie RyskindMusic & Lyrics by Bert Kalmar & Harry RubyAdapted by Henry WishcamperOriginal Orchestrations by Doug PeckSep 4–Oct 13

dance of the holy ghosts: a play on memory

Drama in the Key of BluesBy Marcus Gardley Oct 9–Nov 17

A Civil War ChristmasA New Holiday ClassicBy Paula VogelNov 19–Dec 22

Stones in His PocketsAn Acting Tour de ForceBy Marie JonesJan 15–Feb 23

Twelfth NightShakespeare’s Most Perfect ComedyBy William ShakespeareMar 5–Apr 6

The Liquid PlainAn Award-Winning Historical SagaBy Naomi WallaceApr 16–May 25

Wild with HappyA Heartwarming AdventureBy Colman DomingoMay 28–Jun 29

the MUSICALCOMEDYGEM

“Crackers is pure pleasure: Like Harpo, it’s always got another ace up its sleeve.”–Time Out Chicago

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Animal Crackers

Sep 4–Oct 13 Book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind Music and Lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby Adapted by Henry Wishcamper Original Orchestrations by Doug Peck

The toe-tapping, knee-slapping Marx Brothers classic gets a zany new revival in this gem of American musical comedy. The society party of the season has landed at the Rittenhouse estate, but the disappearance of a valuable painting threatens to spoil the affair. Thankfully, Captain Spaulding is on the case! Or is he? Starring 2012 City Paper Best Actor Bruce Nelson as Groucho Marx playing the ineffable Captain Spaulding, Animal Crackers proves that the comedy genius of the Marx Brothers is as spot-on as ever.

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dance of the holy ghosts

dance of the holy ghosts: a play on memory

Oct 9–Nov 17 By Marcus Gardley • Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah

Oscar Clifton is a Blues man living through his memories of the past, until his estranged grandson Marcus pays a visit. Together, they confront a history of loves, regrets, and missed opportunities. This acclaimed play by Marcus Gardley is a poetic family drama set in the key of Blues— a memory-scape skipping seamlessly across the decades.

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Drama in the key of blues

“The richness of [Gardley’s] language… brings to mind the work of August Wilson.”–The New York Times

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A Civil WarChristmas

“It’s hard not to be touched by the plain beauty.” –New York Post

“When the actors’ voices rise together in song… there arises from the dark history being told an ineffable

sense of wonder at the survival of faith and humanity even in hearts ravaged by loss.”

–The New York Times

A NEW HOLIDAY CLASSIC

A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS: An American Musical Celebration

Nov 19–Dec 22By Paula Vogel

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel spins a musical tale of hope and forgiveness. It’s a bitterly cold Christmas Eve in 1864 and all along the Potomac, from the White House to the battlefields, friends and foes alike find their lives strangely and poetically intertwined. Weaving together period carols and folk songs, this “beautifully stitched tapestry of American lives” (The New York Times) is sure to become a new holiday classic for the entire family.

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Stones in His Pockets

Stones In His Pockets

Jan 15–Feb 23By Marie Jones

When a big Hollywood film crew takes over a small Irish town, the locals line up to earn their “40-quid-a-day” as extras—and maybe pursue some dreams of their own. Charlie wants to write a blockbuster screenplay, while Jake would settle for a date with the lovely leading lady. Where they and their neighbors end up ultimately surprises them all. An “uproarious, joyful evening” (New York Daily News) with two actors playing more than a dozen characters, Stones is an acting tour de force both rollicking and poignant.

AN ACTING TOUR DE FORCE

“It is sheer, nutty, rarefied fun… worth a leprechaun’s ransom.” –New York Post

TWELFTH NIGHT

Mar 5–Apr 6By William Shakespeare

Revelry, disguises, swashbuckling, and (of course) pining lovers abound in what some call Shakespeare’s most perfect comedy. Twins Viola and Sebastian, separated in a shipwreck and presuming each other dead, wash ashore in the beautiful but mysterious land of Illyria. A tale of mistaken identity and mismatched ardor unfurls as lords and ladies, servants and masters wind a topsy-turvy path to happiness.

SHAKESPEARE’S MOST PERFECT COMEDYTwelfth Night

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“Twelfth Night is a perennial favorite… with its multifaceted plot mixing sweetness, sadness and silliness.” –The New York Times

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liquidPlain

Th

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Apr 16–May 25By Naomi Wallace • Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah

In this lyrical and award-winning new drama, two runaway slaves and an amnesiac sailor live on the docks of an 18th-century New England seaport. But as identities come to light and truths are revealed, plans for an escape to Africa are put in jeopardy and their lives are forever altered. Kwame Kwei-Armah, after directing the world premiere at Oregon Shakespeare Festival in summer 2013, will stage this sweeping historical saga for Baltimore audiences.

Winner of The 2012

Horton Foote Prize for

Promising New American Play

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AWARD-WINNING HISTORICAL SAGA

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WILD WITH HAPPY

May 28–Jun 29By Colman Domingo

Grief is a funny thing. Gil’s boyfriend has left him, his acting career isn’t exactly taking off, and his mother just passed away. He’s not taking it all very well. But luckily his boisterous Aunt Glo, a sensitive funeral director, and his outrageous best friend may be exactly what he needs. Colman Domingo’s new comedy, a recent smash hit at New York’s Public Theater, is a wild ride through love, loss, and, just maybe, The Most Magical Place on Earth.

“Absurdly amusing.” –Variety

“[Domingo is] extravagantly talented.” –Entertainment Weekly

A HEARTWARMING ADVENTURE

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FuLL SeASON MeMBeRSHiP is the gold standard for a reason: you guarantee the absolute best seat assignments for our entire season, and for as long as you continue to renew.

Why should you join? ● NO PER-ORDER SERVICE CHARGE—the booking fees are waived entirely.

● You’ll save up to 53% off as compared to buying show by show. It’s like seeing three shows for free!

● You will be guaranteed the best available seats for the Membership level you purchase.

● unlimited ticket exchanges, with no service charge, with 24 hours advance notice.

● $6 off additional full-price tickets you purchase— or half-off additional tickets for students and seniors

● The exclusive ability to purchase pre-paid vouchers for the LAZ Parking garage on Monument and Calvert.

● Special Membership drink discounts.

See all 7 shows in our 2013-14 Seasonflex PassesA flexible ticket good for one seat to any play in our 2013-14 Season*

You can use one pass per show for 6 different shows, or all 6 passes on a single evening. You can redeem

immediately or at the last minute. How you use them is up to you! It’s maximum flexibility. Plus you get all the benefits of Full Season Membership. Flex redemption for 2013-14 begins in July. *Must purchase a minimum of six.

GO Pass for theater-goers between 18–34 with commitment issues.

For just $48 come and see theater on YOUR terms. Much like a gym membership or Netflix

subscription you come when you’d like and watch what you want. There are no restrictions on

performance days or times. You can even come back to see the same show over and over. You can book in advance or the day of. How you use the GO Pass is up to you. Furthermore, you can bring your friends with GO Friend tickets for only $20 each.

Sponsored by

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early-bird pricing

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FULL SeaSON MeMBership pricing after april 26type ap full ap member savings a full a member savings b full b member savings

Previews $307 $242 21% $276 $203 26% $224 $118 47%Weekdays $344 $267 22% $308 $237 23% $258 $148 43%Weekends $419 $333 21% $383 $296 23% $329 $199 40%

flex pass*day price savings

Previews $30 per pass up to 32% off

Weekdays $36 per pass up to 28% off

Weekends $40 per pass up to 34% off

*Must purchase a minimum of six tickets to receive Flex pricing.

early-bird pricing FULL SeaSON MeMBershiptype ap full ap member savings a full a member savings b full b member savings

Previews $307 $222 28% $276 $182 34% $224 $105 53%Weekdays $344 $257 25% $308 $214 31% $258 $133 48%Weekends $419 $319 24% $383 $276 28% $329 $189 43%

Additional 10% OFF for Military, Senior, and Educators for Preview and Wednesday Matinee Full Season Memberships.* For an active member of any branch of the military; a senior citizen (age 62 and over); or an educator at any instruction level. (Based on availability) *ID Required

Performance DaysPreviews (first week of performances only): Tue, Wed, Fri at 8 pm; Thu at 7 pm; Sat 8 pm Sun at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

Weekdays: Tue, Wed at 8 pm; Thu at 7 pm; Sun at 7:30 pm, Wed Matinee at 1 pm

Weekends: Fri, Sat at 8 pm; Sat, Sun at 2 pm, Opening Nights

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2013–14 Order Form

Name ________________________________________

Phone ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________

______________________________________

Email ________________________________________

Select a performance: Preview Weekday Weekend

Membership package: Full Season Flex* Go Pass* (* Skip to the back of this page)

Section: AP A BNumber of members: ______________________________________________

Day: (see opposite page for times and prices) 1ST 2ND Choice Tue Eve Wed Eve Thu Eve

1ST 2ND Choice Fri Eve Sat Eve Sun Eve

1ST 2ND Choice Sat Mat Sun Mat Wed Mat

Special series: 1ST 2ND Choice AfterThoughts Thursday | 7 pm AfterThoughts Sunday Matinee | 2 pm Audio Description Sunday | 2 pm Audio Description Sunday | 7:30 pm

1ST 2ND Choice Meet the Actors Friday | 8 pm Night Out Preview Tuesday | 8 pm Opening Night Wednesday | 8 pm (priced as weekends) Open Captioning Sunday | 7:30 pm

See reverse for: Seating Preferences/Accessibility Needs and FLEX and GO passes.

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Special Packages– Make your Membership an Occasion: AfterthoughtsPost-show conversations designed to give deeper insight into the play. A chance for feedback and engagement. Selected Thursday evenings and Sunday matinees.

Meet the ActorsWe provide a casual atmosphere to chat with the cast after the show. Ask them your questions and get some autographs! Selected Friday evenings.

Night OutA pre-show happy hour for our LGBTQIA community. Come socialize with drink specials and music. Preview Tuesday evenings.

Opening NightA VIP event to celebrate the opening of a new show. Includes a post-show reception with designers, cast, and staff.

Audio Description and Open Captioning Accessible options for our vision and hearing-impaired patrons on selected Sunday performances.

Seating Preferences/Accessibility Needs: ______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

FLeX PASS: number of passes ________________ GO PASS: number of passes ________________ (minimum of 6) (one per person)

Please mail this form to: CENTERSTAGE Box Office, 700 North Calvert Street, Batimore MD 21202-3686

Choose a payment plan: FuLL CASH or CHeCK (payable to CeNTeRSTAGe).

CHARGe THe FuLL AMOuNT NOW

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TWO CReDiT CARD iNSTALLMeNTS. Half now and half will be charged automatically the following month.

THRee CReDiT CARD iNSTALLMeNTS. We’ll charge the first third now. The balance will be charged automatically in two monthly installments.

YOU CAN AFFORD TO JOIN! Patrons with special payment needs should contact Box Office Manager Mandy Benedix at 410.986.4030 to arrange a custom installment plan.

NOTe: ALL SALeS ARe FiNAL.

Calculate the total amount due: Membership Subtotal (from above or the front of this form) = $_________

Qualify for our Senior, Military, or Educator discounts? Call the Box Office to place your order.

Add on the 2 Play Labs for $10 + $__________ Friday | 8 pm Saturday | 8 pm Sunday | 2 pm

Parking: #____________pre-paid coupons @ $5 per coupon + $__________ Not available for Wednesday Matinees.

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TOTAL DUE ON THIS ORDER: = $__________

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2013-14 season photos by Brion McCarthy

❤Giving comes from THe HeART No matter the size of the gift, the choice to make a donation is a personal one. We recognize this—and that’s why we’re so appreciative of anyone who chooses to support CENTERSTAGE.

Ticket sales cover 40% of the cost of producing a show. And that doesn’t include the 25 education and community programs we offer each Season, most

of which are free of charge. We know you think the arts are important. That’s why we’re asking for your support, to help CENTERSTAGE continue to serve the Baltimore community.

Your gift will not go unnoticed— you will receive special donor benefits, in addition to those you receive as a Member. Visit www.centerstage.org/donate to learn more.

From our hearts to yours, we thank you.

PLAY LAB Every year, we hold a series of diverse readings, complete with open rehearsals that invite you to join the process. Be the first to hear and respond to these new works in progress. Add these on to your Membership and save 50%! Two readings for just $10. Titles and dates announced soon.

Theater for The HeartSEASoN51 early-bird

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Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDBaltimore, MD

Permit No. 4352

Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE, Artistic Director • Stephen Richard, Managing Director

www.centerstage.org | Box Office 410.332.0033 centerstagemd centerstage_md

700 North Calvert StreetBaltimore, MD 21202-3686