2013 2014 SEASON
MET PROGRAMS MAINSTAGE SEASON MET brings inspiring, engaging entertaining theatre to downtown Frederick, MD. Each season, we include six shows in our mainstage series. MET’s intimate venue creates a visceral experience for performers and audiences alike.
Each year MET provides the community with dozens of opportunities. From edgy theatre to family programming and theatre classes, you’re bound to find something to interest the entire family.
COMEDY
MET’s resident troupe, The Comedy Pigs, holds the title of the MidAtlantic region’s longest running sketch comedy/improv show! In addition, MET brings you Laugh Station and more comedy events throughout the season from regional comedy troupes and comedians!
There’s Something for Everyone! FAMILY THEATRE Our Fun Company theatre series gives families the opportunity to explore theatre together and gives many children their first theatre experience.
SPECIAL EVENTS MET offers many special events throughout the year, such as our yearly tour of A Christmas Carol, our ever-popular RetroProm and our yearly community-based summer projects.
EDUCATION The Ensemble School brings actor training to the MET litany of programs. Our success preparing future theatre artists is evident as some of our previous students are now professional actors in the region, Los Angeles and New York.
“A hilarious and speedy take on Hollywood’s highs and lows.” BBC
(ABRIDGED)
COMPLETELY
HOLLYWOOD
BY REED MARTIN & AUSTIN TICHENOR ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY DOMINIC CONTI DIRECTED BY GENE‘ FOUCHE‘
SEPTEMBER 5 – 29 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 9/8 & 9/29 @ 7pm 9/15 & 9/22 @ 2pm
From the scribes who brought you previous abridged works on Shakespeare, America and the Bible (all produced by MET) comes a seriously silly show biz satire. Giving Hollywood more than just a nip and a tuck, Completely Hollywood (abridged) cuts through the celluloid to condense the 186 greatest films in Hollywood’s over 100year history into a complete compilation of classic cinematic clichés.
“Still one of the funniest plays in the English language.” The Hollywood Reporter
THE IMPORTANCE OF
BEING EARNEST BY OSCAR WILDE DIRECTED BY JOE BRADY
OCTOBER 17 – NOVEMBER 10 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 10/20 & 11/10 @ 7pm 10/27 &11/3 @ 2pm
In 1890s England, Jack and Algy both use the name “Ernest” when they want to instill a little excitement into their lives. All goes as planned until the two use the pseudonym while falling in love with Gwendolyn and Cecily, threatening their romantic ventures. Paths cross and hilarity ensues in what is considered Wilde’s wittiest and finest comedy.
“Sure to leave your sides splitting.” Broadway World
SANTALAND DIARIES BY DAVID SEDARIS DIRECTED BY SUZANNE BEAL
DECEMBER 5 – 29 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 12/8 & 12/29 @ 7pm 12/15 & 12/22 @ 2pm
Based on the outlandish and true chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display, this hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. For mature audiences.
“A brilliant original work of art.” Newsweek
WHO’S AFRAID OF
VIRGINIA WOOLF? BY EDWARD ALBEE DIRECTED BY PETER WRAY
FEBRUARY 13 – MARCH 9 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 2/16 & 3/9 @ 7pm 2/23 & 3/2 @ 2pm
A hilariously dark martial war of words between dysfunctional middle-aged couple, George and Martha, as they entertain a young professor and his wife. As the cocktails flow, the secrets spill and leave an indelible stain during an all-night battle of mind games and sexual intrigue. Albee’s Tony Award winning masterpiece still packs a punch as it builds to its climatic revelatory conclusion that has shocked audiences for years. For mature audiences.
“Horrific and hilarious.” The Hollywood Reporter
THE LIEUTENANT
OF INISHMORE
BY MARTIN MCDONAGH DIRECTED BY TAD JANES
APRIL 10 – MAY 4 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 4/13 & 5/4 @ 7pm 4/27 @ 2pm
On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed an Irish Liberation Army enforcer’s cat. He’ll want to know who when he gets back from a stint of torture and chip-shop bombing in Northern Ireland. He loves his cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay. McDonagh’s “blackest, funniest, most violent, most absurd play to date.” (Financial Times) won of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy (2003). For mature audiences.
“A play that’s smart, delicate and very, very funny!” New York Post
INORTHE NEXT ROOM THE VIBRATOR PLAY BY SARAH RUHL DIRECTED BY JULIE HERBER
MAY 29 – JUNE 22 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun 6/1 & 6/22 @ 7pm 6/8 & 6/15 @ 2pm
In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating “hysteria.” Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity, the play centers on a doctor and his wife and how his new therapy affects their entire household. For mature audiences.
SPECIAL EVENTS MET produces dozens of eclectic special events at various locations throughout the year. A
Christmas Carol Bring in the holidays with MET’s annual tour of Dickens’ heart warming Christmas classic – in two locations! Carroll Arts Center, Westminster – December 13-14 410-848-7272 • carrollcountyartscouncil.org
Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick – December 20-22
By J.M. Barrie
301-600-2828 • weinbergcenter.org
*Tickets for a Christmas Carol are not handled through the MET box office. Please call the individual theatre for tickets.
AT FREDERICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick
The everlasting classic account of two boys and a girl who follow Peter Pan and the fairy, Tinker Bell, into Never Land, where children never grow old and where Captain Hook and the pirates are outwitted. This version by the original writer is somewhat darker than the musical by the same name, so is recommended for ages 10 and up. August 8 – 17 8/8, 8/9, 8/10, 8/15, 8/16, 8/17 @ 7pm • 8/10, 8/17 @ 2pm
Come dance the night away at MET’s ever-popular 10th annual Retro Prom! Saturday, March 29 • 7:00 -11:30pm William R. Talley Recreation Center 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick
FAMILY THEATRE GO DOG GO
Adapted by Steven Dietz & Allison Gregory, Music by Michael Koemer
September 14 – 29 The dogs from the classic children’s book delve into life with gusto. They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a ferris wheel. They sing and dance and climb trees. A big and little musical world of doggy fun. Like a pop-up book that comes to life – and never stops.
JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! Adapted by Allison Gregory Based on the Book by Barbara Park
November 30 – December 29 Junie B. is a first grader with an attitude. The holiday sing-along should be fun, but when it’s time for the Secret Santa drawing, Junie B. picks the one person she’d rather not have – tattletale May. Don’t miss this family-friendly story, with a message about the importance of giving.
THE COMMEDIA PRINCESS AND THE PEA By Rebecca L. Byars and Lane Riosley
February 22 – March 15 Arlequin is afraid he’ll be stuck playing the role of the pea, but he ends up getting to play the prince. The troupe romps through a series of hilarious princess tests with great slapstick humor! A fairy godmother in this story? Rosetta’s playing the role, whether the troupe likes it or not!
THE STAR STEALER A World Premiere by Catilyn Joy
June 7 – 29 Bishop Magellan Orion wants to be an intrepid space explorer like his hero Xavier Zenith so he’s spending the summer in orbit before his parents send him off to the Intergalactic Academy. Soon, Bishop and his friends discover a greedy, star-stealing creature that threatens the entire universe!
COMEDY Comedy Pigs The
MET’s resident improv/sketch comedy troupe is back with a new season of gut wrenching fun! Stay tuned throughout the season for other weekends of comedy by some of the region’s funniest performers.
The Comedy Pigs 2013-2014 Season The Comedy Pigs Anniversary Weekend Aug 23 & 24 @ 8pm
LAUGH STATION From the wacky worlds of Matt Lee and Jack Colliver, the hit live series Laugh Station will premiere more episodes throughout the year as the crew continues its mission thorughout comedy’s final frontier.
Check our website for additional dates to be announced! marylandensemble.org
Sept 14 & 21 @ 10:30pm Oct 4 & 5 @ 9pm Oct 19 & 26 @ 10:30pm Nov 15 & 16 @ 9pm Jan 24, 25, 31, Feb 1 @ 8pm Feb 22 & March 1 @ 10:30pm March 21 & 22 @ 9pm April 19 & 26 @ 10:30pm May 16 & 17 @ 9pm June 14 & 21 @ 10:30pm
EDUCATION Summer Theatre Camp The Fun Company and
The Ensemble School offer summer theatre camp programs for ages 7-16. Choose from 4 different 2-week sessions. All camps include a final performance on the last day. For information call the box office or visit our website. From left: Photos 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9 by Joe Williams, photos 1, 2 & 4 by Misti Morningstar, photo 5 by Bettina Strauss
Classes in
Acting • Improvisation • Musical Theatre • Auditioning Movement • Voice and Speech • Special Topics Ages 7 to Adult 12-Week Sessions begin in September and February Small class sizes! Call the Box Office or visit the website for a class schedule www.marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744
Important Information SUPPORT MET
Make a tax deductible contribution! Be a corporate sponsor! Advertise in our Playbills! There are lots of ways to get involved! Call our box office at 301-694-4744 for more information.
LOCATION
MET is located at 31 West Patrick Street in the FSK Hotel in Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland. For directions, visit our website marylandensemble.org or call the box office at 301-694-4744. Our theatre is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs. Downtown Frederick has numerous cultural offerings, visitor tours, wonderful shopping, antiquing and dining all quartered within a 16 block, nationally-renowned Arts and Entertainment District. For more information on Downtown Frederick, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County at fredericktourism.org or the Downtown Frederick Partnership at downtownfrederick.org.
301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org .
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SHOW DATES AND TIMES
Mainstage show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8pm and select Sunday matinees (2pm) and evening shows (7pm). FUN Company performances are on Saturdays and selected Sundays @ 2pm. Individual Tickets: $24/$20, Thursday evenings $15, $12 for Fun Company shows , $12 for Comedy Pigs shows. $1.50 service charge per ticket will be added.
MAINSTAGE SERIES TICKETS
Season Tickets: $110 • One ticket for each of these shows: Completely Hollywood (abridged), The Importance of Being Earnest, Santaland Diaries, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play • A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show • A voucher for a Fun Company show Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable. Flex Pass: $120 • 6 tickets good for any of these shows: Completely Hollywood (abridged), The Importance of Being Earnest, Santaland Diaries, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play • A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show • A voucher for a Fun Company show Tickets are NOT show specific and can be used for any MET Mainstage show *Schedule subject to change
FUN COMPANY FAMILY THEATRE SERIES TICKETS
Season Tickets: $40 • One ticket for each of these shows: Go Dog Go, Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, The Commedia Princess and the Pea, The Star Stealer
GROUP SALES
Discounts are available on group sales of ten or more tickets. Call 301-694-4744 for more information.
301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS
2 GREAT WAYS TO BUY TICKETS AND SAVE! SEASON TICKETS
Purchase Season Tickets and see six MET Mainstage plays for just $110. You’ll save $56 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets). Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable.
FLEX PASS
The Flex Pass is six tickets for any MET plays of your choice and can be purchased for $120. Whether you use all six tickets on a given evening, or throughout the season, you’ll save $46 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets).
SIMPLY FILL OUT THIS FORM, CALL THE BOX OFFICE, OR ORDER ONLINE: 301-694-4744 • MARYLANDENSEMBLE.ORG Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________ City____________________________ State___________ Zip ______________________________________________________ Phone__________________________________________ e-mail ___________________________________________________ I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Season Tickets, $110 each Save $56
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I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Flex Passes, $120 each Save $46
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I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Fun Company Season Tickets, $40 each
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Handling Charge Enclosed is a tax deductible contribution
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Check Enclosed Charge my (circle one)
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Card Number_________________________________________________________________ Expires ___________________ Signature ______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Mail to Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Frederick, MD Permit #597
31 w patrick st • frederick, md 21701 marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744