11th Annual Essential Theatre Play Festival

May 25, 2009 - PRLog -- The Essential Theatre, Atlanta’s home for original voices and new perspectives, adds to its rich history of presenting the most provocative new plays in Atlanta with the 11th Annual Essential Theatre Festival. The festival plays run in repertory July, 5 - August 2, 2009, at Actor’s Express Theatre, 887 West Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

The 2009 Festival will feature the world premiere of Vynnie Meli's JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS, the 2009 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition. The story of JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS centers on the members of an all-female jazz band, touring through the Deep South during World War Two. The musicians are all African-American except for one Jewish woman, who has to disguise herself to fit in with the rest of the group, at a time when "mixed-race" bands weren't tolerated anywhere in the United States. (This was also a time when women weren't commonly accepted into the all-male world of jazz music.)

We’ll also be presenting the Georgia Premiere of as ICE GLEN by Joan Ackermann. This play is a romantic drama, set in 1919, about a reclusive poetess who does not want her poems published, and the editor to tries to persuade her otherwise. It's a beautiful play, immensely charming, touching and very funny.
"Beautifully written…a story of nature and change." —Talkin' Broadway.
"A lovely play which will leave you with a lot to think about." —CurtainUp.
"Funny, moving and witty." —Metroland (Boston).

The third play is FOOD FOR FISH, by Adam Szymkowicz, a melancholy comedy about longing. Three sisters yearn to escape the big city, while a lonely writer roams the streets, looking for solitary women from whom to steal a kiss. Also, there's a lot of characters (both men and women) who'll be played in drag. – The New York Times described it best, calling it “Fabulously weird and weirdly fabulous.

For Calendar Listings

JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS by Vynnie Meli, World Premiere
By Georgia playwright, Vynnie Meli; directed by Betty Hart
A powerful and provocative drama about an all-female jazz band touring the Deep South during World War II.
Winner of the 2009 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.

FOOD FOR FISH by Adam Szymkowicz. Regional Premiere.  
A comedy about longing that explores the interesting comical shifts in our perspectives of what men and women are supposed to be. “Fabulously weird and weirdly fabulous.” – New York Times

ICE GLEN by Joan Ackermann. Regional Premiere.
A wonderfully funny romantic drama about a poet who doesn’t want her work to be published , and the editor to tries to persuade her otherwise..
“Beautifully written.” – Talkin’ Broadway.  “A lovely play.” –CurtainUp

Ticket Prices:  Sun-Thursday: All Tickets (Gen. Admission) Advance online $15, At the door $18
Fridays-Saturday: Adult (Gen. Admission) Advance online $20.00, At the door $22 Student with ID / Senior (60+): $15.00 Advance online, At the door $18
Groups of 9 or more receive $5 Off General Admission per ticket

Reservations:  Actor’s Express Box Office 404-607-SHOW (7469) or www.EssentialTheatre.com

Dates/Times: 7/05/09- 8/02/09 Check our website www.EssentialTheatre.com for the schedule.

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The Essential Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional, non-Equity theatre company dedicated to giving Atlanta audiences the opportunity to enjoy exciting new plays.