Matthew Wiener, Actors Theatre fter 15 years with the boundary-pushing Actors Theatre, producing artistic director Matthew Wiener knows what he likes when it comes to selecting a season’s performances. “I love plays that are about important things but are funny,” he says simply. Take as an example “In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play).” Set in the late 19th century, this Tony-nominated play explores concepts of intimacy and how the medical field has historically viewed and treated “hysterical” women—including cure-byvibrator. “And yes,” Wiener adds, “it is that kind of vibrator.” But while Actors Theatre has an entire season of eyebrow-raising performances to anticipate, Wiener is quick to share the spotlight with the work of other companies as well. He’s looking forward to Stray Cat Theatre’s “Abraham Lincoln’s
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Big Gay Dance Party,” for one, partly because the audience gets to vote on the order of the three acts. And Wiener is directing “Noises Off ” at Phoenix Theatre, which also has him excited. “There’s a group of actors who are putting on a play called ‘Nothing On,’ which is a kind of classical English bedroom sex farce,” Wiener explains of the play-within-a-play. “The audience, they will have to hold their sides. It’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.” One performance where humor takes a backseat to morals, however, is Arizona Theatre Company’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Written by the renowned playwright August Wilson, the performance covers “the legendary singer who had to fight for every scrap of respect she got,” Wiener says. This is an example of Wiener’s other commitment. For while he seeks good dialogue and strong humor, he also likes plays—whether he’s directing or watching—that “amplify or touch the cultural conversation.” For more information, call 602-253-6701 or go to actorstheatrephx.org.
MATTHEW WIENER’S TOP PICKS
Phoenix Theatre: “Noises Off” (Aug. 25 to Sept. 12). Arizona Theatre Company: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Oct. 16 to Nov. 6 in Tucson; Nov. 11 to 28 in Phoenix). Actors Theatre: “In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)” (Oct. 29 to Nov. 14). Stray Cat Theatre: “Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party” (May 20 to June 11).
At Arizona Theatre Company, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ will explore the historic exploitation of black recording artists, delving deep into the heart of racism.
ED FLORES
Gamelan Çudamani (top and middle) is a visually arresting music, theater and dance work that draws on traditional and contemporary Indonesian art forms. The postclassical quartet ETHEL (bottom) breaks down barriers between chamber music and other musical genres. At MIM, they’ll perform with a Native American flutist and a Hawaiian slack-key guitarist. Fall 2010 19