PURE Theatreat The Cigar Factory701 East Bay Street

Charleston, SC 29401www.puretheatre.org

843.723.4444

Printing generously donated by a friend

S e a s o n 4 0 6 – 0 7

JANUARY 2007

SE PremiereA writer in a totalitarian state is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of child-murders that are happening in his town. Winner of The Olivier Award (London) for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play, from the brutally eloquent Irish writer responsible for Beauty Queen of Leenane, Lonesome West, and the Academy Award®–winning short fi lm Six Shooter. Directed by Peter Karapetkov. January 5, 6, 11*, 12, 13, 14+, 18*, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

by Martin McDonaghThe Pillowman

by Naomi Iizuka36 Views

SE PremiereA priceless, one-of-a-kind Japanese pillow book is discovered, and scholars, art dealers, and reporters all clamor for a piece of the monumental story that could alter the entire academic fi eld of Asian antiquity. Set against a backdrop of lies and fabrication, 36 Views unfolds into a beautiful, mystical progression of visual symbols, objects, and human relationships. Iizuka is a much-lauded recipient of Whiting, McKnight, NEA/TCG, Jerome, and PEN Center awards. Directed by Dana Friedman. September 1, 2, 7*, 8, 9, 10+, 14*, 15, 16, 21*, 22, 23

SEPTEMBER 2006

by Rodney Lee RogersKilling Chickens

World PremiereChicken-house processor Bob Wiggins holds his family together, both alive and dead. With a deceased wife who communicates only with him, one son whose marriage is falling apart, and his youngest battling a hypochondria-induced illness on his sofa, Bob’s got his work cut out for him. If only he could remember to take his medication. From the head of Southern playwright and PURE cofounder Rodney Lee Rogers springs this often funny and heartbreaking tale of holding on and letting go. Directed by Brian Golden. November 10, 11, 16*, 17, 18, 19+, 24, 25, 26+, 30*, December 1, 2

NOVEMBER 2006

SE PremiereWith a mixture of cutting truths and constant laughs, Grace examines the marriage of an intensely Christian couple, their disfi gured neighbor, a shaky business deal, and the way religious ideas make sense—and sometimes nonsense—of life’s events. Murder, romance, faith, and betrayal make for an explosive combination in this darkly funny and provocative new play from Craig Wright, writer for ABC’s Lost and HBO’s Six Feet Under. Pulitzer Prize Nominee. October 6, 7, 12*, 13, 14, 15+, 19*, 20, 21, 26*, 27, 28

Graceby Craig Wright

OCTOBER 2006

* = Thursday night post-show talkback

+ = Sunday brunch matinee

* Thursday Night Talk-back following the performance

JANUARY 2007

SE PremiereA writer in a totalitarian state is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of child-murders that are happening in his town. Winner of The Olivier Award (London) for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play, from the brutally eloquent Irish writer responsible for Beauty Queen of Leenane, Lonesome West, and the Academy Award®–winning short fi lm Six Shooter. Directed by Peter Karapetkov. January 5, 6, 11*, 12, 13, 14+, 18*, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

by Martin McDonaghThe Pillowman

InternationalPURE

American PremierePURE Theatre welcomes world-acclaimed director Alexander Morfov from the National Theatre of Bulgaria (Golden Mask Award nominee) for the premiere production of PURE International, a division of PURE Theatre with the mission of supporting global artistry, collaboration, and the celebration of the art and craft of theatre for a world audience. Morfov will choose a play that caters to and challenges the talents of the PURE Ensemble. February 9, 10, 15*, 16, 17, 18+, 22, 23, 24

FEBRUARY 2007

by Will EnoThe Flu Season

SE PremiereSet in a hospital and in a theatre, The Flu Season is a love story—a reluctant one, a love story in spite of itself. Winner of the 2004 Oppenheimer Award for best New York debut by an American playwright. “In Will Eno’s latest play, a love story goes bad (really bad), a play gets written in painful fi ts and starts, snow falls, it turns to slush. Maybe spring arrives.” From the pen that wrote Thom Pain (based on nothing), “this is a play to remind us why sunsets make us sad, how nostalgia is like fog, and why we live our lives as though we are in mourning for them.” (The Guardian). March 2, 3, 8*, 9, 10, 11+, 15*, 16, 17, 22*, 23, 24

MARCH 2007

by Laura WadeColder than Here

SE PremiereMyra, an ever-perfect homemaker, turns her full attention and formidable energy to the task of her lifetime—organizing her own impending funeral, on PowerPoint. Overwhelmed by a mountain of to-do lists, she learns, at fi rst reluctantly, then joyfully, to let go and to share, opening the way for a new and loving beginning here, at the very end of her life. Wade is a Pearson Playwright prizewinner and was recently named Most Promising Playwright by the London Critics’ Circle and nominated for an Olivier Award. April 27, 28, May 3*, 4, 5, 6+, 10*, 11, 12, 13, 17*, 18, 19

MAY 2007

PURE Lab

World PremierePURE Lab is a division of PURE Theatre that meets every week to develop new voices in American Theatre. Each April, PURE Lab chooses an original play by one of its own to receive a full production by PURE Theatre. The 2006–2007 PURE Lab production will be announced September 2006. April 6, 7, 12*, 13, 14, 15+, 19*, 20, 21

APRIL 2007

2004 – 2005 Season2003 – 2004 Season

PP r o d u c t i o n HH i s t o r y

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Lobby Heroby Kenneth Lonergan directed by Ken Forman •Best Realized Theatre ConceptCity Paper critics award

Tell (World Premiere)by Rodney Lee Rogers directed by Rodney Lee Rogers

Fully Committedby Becky Mode directed by Sharon Graci

The Mercy Seatby Neil LaBute directed by Franklin Ashley

Jesus Hopped the “A” Trainby Stephen Adly Guirgus directed by Rodney Lee Rogers•Best Play, City Paper critics awardCity Paper critics awardCity Paper

True Westby Sam Shepard directed by Sharon Graci

Underneath the Lintelby Glen Berger directed by Sharon Graci •Best One-Person Play, City Paper critics awardCity Paper critics awardCity Paper

What Comes Around(World Premiere)

by Rodney Lee Rogers directed by Rodney Lee Rogers

The Beauty Queen of Leenaneby Martin McDonagh

directed by Rodney Lee Rogers

Perfect Ten: 10-Minute Playsby various new local playwrights

American Buffaloby David Mamet

directed by Gus Smythe

Member

The League of Charleston

Theatres

PURE Theatre is an evolving stage and fi lm company dedicated to exploring the human condition through the medium of acting by utilizing exceptional theatre talent from the Southeast and across the nation. We seek to produce theatre that inspires, invigorates, enriches, and delights our audience, while working to establish Charleston, South Carolina as a premier venue for professional theatre and to responsibly and diligently advocate the profound necessity of the arts in all communities throughout America.

New for Season 4

• The PURE Pass • PURE International • PURE Lab • PURE Rising

Spinning into Butterby Rebecca Gilmandirected by Franklin Ashley

A Numberby Caryl Churchilldirected by R.W. Smith

Recklessby Craig Lucasdirected by Greg Tavares

This Is How It Goesby Neil LaButedirected by Dana Friedman•Best Actor/ActressCity Paper audience awardCity Paper audience awardCity Paper

Doolymoogwritten and performed by John Paulsen

Bring It to the Tablemini-festival of new works

from the PURE Lab

Lonesome Westby Martin McDonagh

directed by Sharon Graci

Thom Pain (based on nothing)by Will Eno

directed by Peter Karapetkov

Man from Nebraskaby Tracy Letts

directed by Mark Landis

2005 – 2006 Season

Post-show talkbacks after Thursday performances

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“After less than three years of existence, PURE Theatre has swiftly become Charleston’s go-to spot for avant-garde, challenging productions.” CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

“producing contemporary theatre at its best.” CHARLESTON MAGAZINE

“ From two-person casts in talking-head plays, to racial dramas, to avant-garde pieces and movement theatre, PURE Theatre presents the most diverse slate of offerings in town—from cast members and performance styles to the plays themselves. In the past season alone, Rebecca Gilman’s Spinning Into Butter, Caryl Churchill’s thought-provoking A Number, Craig Lucas’ schizophrenic Reckless, Neil LaBute’s brutal This is How it Goes, and, most recently, John Paulsen’s movement-based performance Doolymoog, have provided a hodge-podge of entertaining plays in a variety of styles, cast sizes, and cast members. . . . The folks at PURE Theatre seem more interested in serving up themes than in spoonfeeding audiences predictable fare at their intimate Cigar Factory home, and that risk is admirable. Combine it all with great talent, and PURE has a winning formula on its hands.” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

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Audience & Critics Awards

Best Realized Theatre Concept

Best Play

Best Actor/Actress

Best Theatrical Diversity

Best One-Person Play

PURE is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment of the Arts.

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t h e b e a u t y q u e e n o f l e e n a n e“strong is a gross understatement” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

a n u m b e r“a must-see for audiences interested in professional theater.” CAROL FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

t h e m e r c y s e a t“The two supremely gifted actors and the experienced director make it happen.” CAROL FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

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“known for staging plays with shocking situations that precipitate disagreements among patrons on how a show’s subject can be interpreted.” DOTTIE ASHLEY, POST & COURIER

“Buy tickets early: PURE’s last three shows have enjoyed mostly sold-out runs packed with return audience members excited to see what unique new direction the theatre’s taken this time.” CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

t h e b e a u t y q u e e n o f l e e n a n e“You’ll want to go every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the next three weekends.” CAROL FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

a n u m b e r“In one hour at the PURE Theatre production that opened Friday night, you get more real theater than you might reasonably expect during another company’s whole season.” CAROL FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

“smart, stimulating theatre” NICK SMITH, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

s p i n n i n g i n t o b u t t e r“a superb cast of seasoned actors, displaying the best in ensemble acting” WILLIAM FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

“polished productions of powerful plays like True West and American Buffalo” NICK SMITH, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

“no slick editing or special effects, just great acting . . . and the knowledge that what’s happening before our eyes is something new, never to be replicated in exactly the same way, and soon it will be lost forever. We feel privileged to be there for this transient, remarkable moment. When we see a great play, that feeling stays with us forever . . . Seeing PURE Theatre’s production of American Buffalo was just that kind of sublime experience . . . If you missed it . . . you missed out on a hell of an evening.” PATRICK SHARBAUGH, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

“superb acting and taut direction . . . American Buffalo is a beautiful play—funny, dramatic, thrilling, and moving—and PURE Theatre is giving it a top-notch production. If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to visit PURE’s intimate black box in the Cigar Factory, this is it.” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

u n d e r n e a t h t h e l i n t e l“required viewing for every actor, techie, author, director and theater lover in the city. The state. The world.” CAROL FURTWANGLER, POST & COURIER

u n d e r n e a t h t h e l i n t e l“one of the best performances Charleston audiences have seen in quite a while. This is what acting should be . . . a mind-bending, heart-bursting, beautiful production handled gracefully by PURE Theatre. It will leave you recognizing the power of theatre.” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

“producing contemporary theatre at its best.” CHARLESTON MAGAZINE

“An incredibly noteworthy production of a beautifully written play, PURE Theatre’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane is worth well more than what you’ll pay to see it, so take advantage of the opportunity while you can.” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

t h e l o n e s o m e w e s t“Marvelous ensemble acting, skillful directing, and McDonagh’s darkly funny script add up to an incredibly satisfying night of theatre at PURE.” JENNIFER CORLEY, CHARLESTON CITY PAPER

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T h e P U R E PA S S season tickets . . . pure and simple

PURE PASS holders receive admission to all eight productions in the 2006–2007 season, including one show for free ($20 value).

The PURE PASS entitles you to preferred seating and fl exible scheduling. You’ll also receive season updates and exclusive invitations to insider gatherings like wine & cheese premieres, as well as PURE PASS discounts on newly added events like fi lm screenings, panel discussions, classes, off-season shows, and visiting guest artist productions.

KEEP IT PURE! CONTRIBUTE! Less than 40 percent of PURE’s annual budget comes from ticket sales. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to ensure the continued vitality of PURE.

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As PURE grows, our community is enriched and our level of awareness, passion, and excellence rises. As PURE works to broaden our already diverse group of artists and audiences, your support is crucial to sustaining our mission.

PURE Theatre is an incorporated, charitable organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your gift keeps it PURE. Thank you for your support!

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at 843.723.4444 or rising@puretheatre.org

To subscribe and donate, please fi ll out a copy of this form and bring it to the theatre on a performance night or send to:

PURE Theatre The Cigar Factory701 East Bay Street

Charleston, SC 29401