NH Theatre Project Turns 25
  • Print

NH Theatre Project  2013-14 seasonMARK YOUR CALENDAR

New Hampshire Theatre Project celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year -- a quarter century of creating transformational theatre.  Along with touring productions like Dreaming Again and educational residency programs at schools and community organizations throughout New Hampshire, the NHTP 2013-14 Season at W.E.S.T. encompasses a variety of styles. (Click link for more info) 

 

The season opens with Six Characters in Search of An Author, running November 15 to December 1 Now considered one of the most influential plays in the history of world literature, this extraordinary script by Luigi Pirandello incited audience riots at its 1921 premiere.   A forerunner of Theatre of the Absurd, Pirandello was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1934. Director Blair Hundertmark leads a cast of NHTP regulars and newcomers in a provocative exploration of the nature of art.  As cast member Van Wile observes, “It’s a peek behind the curtain of theatre… except you find out there’s just another curtain.” 

Le Petit Prince, running January 10-26, is a NHTP company original, created and directed by Genevieve Aichele and CJ Lewis, with video design by Shay Willard. The adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved classic will explore the text’s spiritual overtones that resonate for all ages: How do our narrow worldviews limit possibility? Are “matters of consequence” more important than the “secret place of tears?”  How old must we be to truly understand how to love?   

Last year’s popular weekend of play-readings, the Intelligent Theatre Festival, expands to two weekends this year, March 21-30 The NHTP resident company along with guest artists, students and community members, will read at least six different plays, following by audience discussion.  Scripts are still being chosen, but will definitely include Sarah Ruhl’s contemporary comedy The Clean House, featuring a Brazilian house maid who hates to clean but loves to tell jokes, and a new script about the perils of space exploration by New Hampshire playwright James Patrick Kelly.  

NHTP’s Youth Repertory Company celebrates its own 15-year anniversary this season, with at least two alumni (Shay Willard and Robin Fowler) playing prominent artistic roles in mainstage productions.  April 4-6, the Junior Repertory Company under the direction of Meghann Beauchamp will present Robin Hood, an original script developed by Michael Megliola and several young playwrights.  May 16-25, the Senior Repertory Company presents the classic comedy Arsenic & Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, directed by Genevieve Aichele and Robin Fowler. 

New Hampshire Theatre Project performances run Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm General admission for mainstage productions is $24, with $20 tickets for students and seniors.  Tickets for the Intelligent Theatre Festival and Robin Hood are $10.  For information and reservations, call 603-431-6644 ext. 5. 

Gabrielle Archambault and Peter Josephson.  Photography by Meghann Beauchamp