Theater Bartlesville is set to open its last show of the season this April 7, 8 and 9 and again the next week-end April 15, 16 and 17. After a whirlwind season of presenting the shows, Noises Off, Dracula, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and Charlie Brown, Theater Bartlesville is pleased to be able to present Annie Baker’s CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION. This 2010 OBIE Award winning show, for Best American Play, was also the second most produced play in America in the year 2011.
In the small town of Shirley, Vermont, five strangers gather at the Community Center to embark on a unique journey as participants in the free-spirited Marty's “Adult Creative Drama" class. Marty, played by Sidney Brammer, is the class instructor who leads the class through a series of acting exercises over a six week period of time. James, played by Alan Gentges is her quietly charming husband and Schultz, played by Bernie Meadows, is a somewhat lost, recently divorced carpenter. Theresa, played by Leasha Combes, is a vibrant, former actress and Lauren, played by Havilah Goodenough, is a self-conscious high school junior. According to the director, Shelby Brammer, “We have a wonderful cast offering funny and poignant performances of characters we can all relate to or have known before. On first reading, this show seemed rather simple, but having read it again and again and having been in rehearsals for six weeks, I've come to see what a complex and minutely drawn piece it is. As we watch five individuals in a summer amateur acting class reveal themselves while performing both hilarious and bittersweet acting exercises, we witness a lovely and realistic testimony to the power of creativity in a small community much like ours.”
CIRLCE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION is Shelby Brammer’s second show to direct at Theater Bartlesville, but her first show as the new Artistic Director. “I read a lot over the past five years about the playwright, Annie Baker, said Brammer, and knew she had really taken off. Since Theater Bartlesville had just completed a farce and two musicals, I thought this show would give our actors and audiences a chance to enjoy a different style, a sort of naturalism. In trying to come up with a smaller production that could end our season, I thought Bartlesville audiences deserved to check out Annie Baker's work and decide for themselves.” I urge audiences, even if they haven't heard of Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation, to take a chance, and check it out.
While CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION ends this highly successful 2015-2016 season, Theater Bartlesville will soon plunge into releasing next year’s 2016-2017 season under the direction of Shelby Brammer. According to Joanie Elmore, Managing Director, “We have a wonderful new season line-up that is sure to delight patrons and members alike. We look forward to soon revealing the names of our upcoming shows and think that next season will be one that will have something for everybody. Be watching for this announcement and join us next year as we continue to present quality Community Theater.”
Performances for CIRCLE MIRROR TRANFORMATION are April 7, 8 and 9 and again April 15, 16 and 17. All performances are at 7:00pm with the exception of one 2:00pm matinee on Sunday April 17.
You can see more photos of this great performance in our Photo Gallery.