FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2010
Media Contact: Sarah Pressler
240.644.1387
press@roundhousetheatre.org
Round House Theatre presents
UNIVERSES’ explosive look at post-Katrina America
AMERIVILLE
October 20 – November 7, 2010 at
Round House Theatre Bethesda
240.644.1100 or roundhousetheatre.org
Tickets priced from $10 to $60
“$10 Tuesday” features $10 Side Orchestra & Side Balcony tickets for all ages
Specially priced $10 & $15 tickets available at other performances for patrons age 30 & under
(BETHESDA, MD) Round House Theatre continues its 2010/11 season with the UNIVERSES performance ensemble’s Ameriville, a hit at the renowned Humana Festival which is now winning raves across the country.
Ameriville was written, created, and is performed by UNIVERSES ‑ Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz, Gamal A. Chasten, and William Ruiz (A.K.A. “Ninja”). It was developed with and directed by Chay Yew.
Ameriville runs October 20 through November 7, 2010 at Round House Theatre Bethesda, 4545 East-West Highway. Tickets are $10 – $60 and may be purchased by phone at 240.644.1100, online at roundhousetheatre.org, or at the Round House box office in Bethesda. Groups of 10 or more should call 240.644.1387. Ripley is recommended for age 17 & up.
An explosive fusion of storytelling and the infectious rhythms of jazz, Gospel, and hip-hop, Ameriville puts the state of the Union under a microscope – politics, history, race, poverty, and government – examining our country through the lens of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Deftly weaving drama, humor, poetry, music, and powerful performances, Ameriville says, “Here’s the situation. Now…what do you think?” The Denver Post hailed Ameriville as “sharply poignant, personal and moving.”
An ensemble of multi-disciplined writers and performers, UNIVERSES’ work is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. UNIVERSES was hailed by The New York Times as “exuberant” and “insightful” while The Village Voice said their “energy and realness is unmatchable.” UNIVERSES’ work, according to the Boston Globe, “absolutely demands to be seen.”
Round House Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison said, “I was completely blown away when I first saw the remarkable artists of UNIVERSES perform Amerivillle at the Humana Festival. I knew at once that we had to bring this powerful, entertaining, insightful tour-de-force to Round House. We’re thrilled to have them on our stage.”
Ameriville is sponsored in part by generous support from Susan Gilbert and Ron Schechter.
The Tuesday, November 2 performance continues Round House’s new “$10 Tuesday” program. Side Orchestra and Side Balcony seats at this performance are available for all ages for the specially discounted price of $10 – call 240.644.1100 or order online at rounhousetheatre.org. “$10 Tuesday” is made possible through the support of the Bernard Family Foundation.
Specially priced tickets for patrons age 30 and under are available at all other performances: $10 Wednesday through Friday and $15 Saturday and Sunday – contact the box office at 240.644.1100 as these age 30 and under tickets are not available online.
UNIVERSES
UNIVERSES is a national/international ensemble company of multi-disciplined writers and performers who fuse poetry, theatre, jazz, hip-hop, politics, Down Home Blues, and Spanish Boleros to create moving, challenging, and entertaining works. The group breaks the bounds of traditional theater to create their own brand, inviting old and new generations of theatre crafters as well as theatergoers and newcomers to reshape the face of American Theatre.
The Cast & Artistic Team
Ameriville was written, created, and is performed by UNIVERSES ‑ Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz, Gamal A. Chasten, and William Ruiz (A.K.A. “Ninja”). It was developed with and directed by Chay Yew.
The Ameriville artistic team includes choreographer Millicent Johnnie, set designer Brian Sidney Bembridge, lighting designer Russell H. Champa, sound designer Benjamin Marcum, video designer Brian Freeland, dramturg Morgan Jenness, tour production manager David Vieira, tour stage manager Elizabeth Harwood, and tour sound engineer Adam Bach.
Ameriville Performance Calendar, Ticket Info, & Audience Events
Ameriville runs October 20 through November 7, 2010 at Round House Theatre Bethesda, 4545 East-West Highway. The theatre is one block from the Bethesda station on Metro’s Red Line.
Tuesday and Wednesday performances begin at 7:30 pm; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 p.m.; and matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday begin at 3 p.m.
Ameriville is recommended for age 15 & up.
Tickets may be purchased by phone at 240.644.1100, online at roundhousetheatre.org, or in person at the Round House box office in Bethesda. Tickets range in price from $10 to $60.
Groups of 10 or more should call 240.644.1387.
Pay-What-You-Can performances: Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets for Pay-What-You-Can performances go on sale in person one hour prior to curtain. Cash and exact change only, limit of 2 tickets per person.
The Tuesday, November 2 performance continues Round House’s new “$10 Tuesday” program. Side Orchestra and Side Balcony seats at this performance are available for adults of all ages for the specially discounted price of $10 – call 240.644.1100 or order online at rounhousetheatre.org. “$10 Tuesday” is made possible through the support of the Bernard Family Foundation.
Specially priced tickets for patrons age 30 and under are available at each performance: $10 Tuesday through Friday and $15 Saturday and Sunday. Proof of age is required. Limit of two tickets per person. Call 240.644.1100 – these specially priced tickets are not available online.
Round House offers discounts on non-subscription tickets to patrons 65 and older. The price is $40 per ticket (including service charge) for center orchestra or center balcony seating at any Bethesda performance. Call 240.644.1100 for information.
Audio-described performance – Saturday, October 30 at 3pm
Parents’ Matinee – Sunday, October 31 at 3 p.m.
Patrons can drop off children (ages 3-12, must be potty trained) to an RHT teaching artist while they’re seeing the show at this designated Sunday matinee. The kids will enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of theatre games and arts activities. Reservations for childcare are required in advance and must be made by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27 by calling 240.644.1100.
Post-Show Talkbacks – Sunday, October 31 and Sunday, November 7
These Sunday matinees feature a post-show talk with members of the cast.
Sign-interpreted performance – Saturday, November 6 at 3pm
Reservations for sign interpreting services must be made by Wednesday, October 27.
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