GOOD PEOPLE - Opening Friday May 15, 2015

ONLINE TICKETS - GOOD PEOPLE AT BRUKA THEATRE

GOOD PEOPLE

A SOCIO-POLITICAL COMEDY ABOUT HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES

Written by David Lindsay - Abaire    Directed by Stacey Spain

MAY 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

JUNE 3A, 4, 5, 6 @ 8 PM 2015
Sunday Matinee ~ MAY 24 @ 2 PM

*Wednesday Artist Night.  $10 for Artists & Teachers

Reno, NV.  Stacey Spain directs the second Abaire offering, the searingly funny Good People at Brüka Theatre opening May 15, 2015 and playing for 4 weeks.  The play takes you to South Boston where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills, bingo is a night on the town, and sharp-tongued single-mom, Margie Walsh, has just been let go from yet another job.  Scrambling to make ends meet, she looks up an old flame, hoping he’ll help her make a fresh start in this humor-filled drama from Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire about how twists of fate determine our path.  Featuring Holly Natwora and Gary Cremeans II.

Reservations are available through our box office at (775) 323-3221. Individual tickets are $20 for general $18 for students, seniors and military and all tickets are $25 at the door. Reservations are also available at the Melting Pot World Emporium @ their new location: 1047 S. Virginia Street in Reno. We validate convenient parking at the Parking Gallery on First and Sierra Streets. Tickets available online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Check us out at www.bruka.org.

DOUBLE HEADER INTERVIEW

Producing Artistic Director Mary Bennett interviews Directors Stacy Johnson and Stacey Spain

This season Brüka produces two plays in continuim by the same author - David Lindsay - Abaire.  As Producing Artistic Director I believe we have a responsibility or perhaps a calling to create a map of a season by creating a vision that weaves entertaining and life expanding theatre and events together to make an impact and also continue to carry the work and standard of theatre forward in our region.  This year's vision was created around "Believe".  Inspired by the large sculpture placed in the Mapes Park across the street that was positioned so boldly, and was taken away so quickly, showing us the impermanence of all art, even strong steel sculptures.  Yet we still "believe" in art, community and so much more.  

This leads us to the thought process behind this David Lindsay - Abaire "double-header" for our 2014/15 season.  Why not share the great and varied work by an individual author of extreme talent, back to back for our audiences and artists to enjoy the power, intelligence, humor and evolution of Mr. Lindsay - Abaire's work and the surprisingly different worlds he creates.   Two exceptionally talented directors join us in this endeavor, Stacy Johnson for Wonder Of The World and Stacey Spain for Good People.  I had the opportunity to interview both of them via email to compare their experiences. Please see the interview in this newsletter called:  "Double Header". 

With any play, it is important to have a bit of background, on the play, the era, the author.   Whether you like to "Google" the information about a play you are about to see, or have seen or like to start a conversation around the water cooler (Please tell me people still do that) or find out about the directors behind the art.  So I am hoping to start a conversation about the work we are doing on stage and where it comes from.  First a bit about the playwright.  

 

Author David Lindsay - Abaire

Mr. David Lindsay - Abaire, hailing from Boston Massachusetts (the setting of Good People), has a vast and varied career that includes Wonder Of The World and Good People sandwiched in between he has managed to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play Rabbit Hole, which also earned several Tony Award nominations and adapted for film.    In the film department he also penned Rise of The Guardians for DreamWorks and worked on the new Poltergeist.  He is an avid tweeter and even re-posted a Brüka Theatre tweet, remaining accessible and relevant in this modern world.  Our Directors Stacy Johnson, a Utility Player, Actress and Director and Stacey Spain, Playwright, Director, Actress and Executive Director at Sierra Arts Foundation weigh in on their recent experience.  And now for that interview with our directors, with individual answers by their initials.  David Lindsay - Abaire is referred to as DLA. 

Pictured:  Directors Stacy Johnson & Stacey Spain

Stacy Johnson (SJ), you are just coming off Wonder of The World, and Stacey Spain (SS) you are in your final weeks of rehearsals for Good People.  As a director, an author can often wake us up to certain things in a larger vision.  Is there anything DLA has brought to your forefront?

SJ:  During Wonder of the World the biggest thing he brought forth to me was his take on destiny. The entire time he threw his characters into the zany situations and yet because of those they all came together.

SS:  That politics of people and place and class are still very much alive in the theater and I am grateful for excellently written work which asks an audience to think, consider, feel and explore without being didactic in the least.

This is Brüka’s DLA double-header, but there are a few more coincidences.  For example both directors have the same first name.  Have you seen any other similarities?

SJ: Both directors are extremely attractive. Hah! We both have very similar birthdays. The other Stacey was Born April 2nd I believe and I'm April third. 

SS:  YES!  My birthday is April 2nd, Stacy's is April 3rd.She played my daughter in Grapes of Wrath at TMCC some years ago and I can only hope my daughter Rachael grows up to be such an amazing person.  I directed Stacy at UNR when she was a student - so the only thing left is for her to direct me in something...you game girl?

What is your favorite line from the DLA you are directing?  

SJ:  Lois to Cass in the final scene: "You see that? The sun.  It came up. You're breathing. What more do you want?"

SS:  Either all of the cursing that goes on in the church basement bingo scenes or Margie's line:  "I never had anyone watching from a window for me."

What is your favorite part of directing?

SJ:  My favorite part was watching the show in itself evolve from our first rehearsal to closing night.

SS:  Getting to share the process with the actors, to see their work develop, to provide a safe place for them to try something outrageous and have it work.  To be invited in for the birth of these characters and then to have the honor of putting it all together into a whole.  

What is the most challenging part of Directing for you?

SJ: The most challenging thing for me was trusting my instinct that it all made sense. And blocking 7 characters on a stage at once so that no one was ever upstaged and we could see each other at all times.

SS:  Sleep.  Getting to sleep after rehearsal and waking early still thinking about how to shepherd the process through.  Feeling like I'll miss something important because DLA wastes nothing, every word is specific and real and completely matters.  Wanting to make sure I do justice to this writing and this world he has created. 

What is next on your horizon?

SJ:  I am currently performing with the Utility Players at the Sands Regency every Saturday night at 8pm. I will also be directing a piece next season here at Brüka.

SS:  Scary but I have to get back to writing the rest of my show Grace and Dignity.  I feel like working with Good People has been a primer for me on playwriting.  DLA's work has inspired me to keep working on my script and to do that in a fearless, funny and brutally honest way.  But after the show opens first I am going to take a nap.