Page 8 - Boca Exposure - March '21

Page 8, Boca Exposure
Palm Beach Dramaworks And Actors’ Playhouse

Announce Coproduction Of The Belle Of Amherst

For Online Streaming, April 2 cast during the pandemic was out of the question; they
There were also practical considerations. A large
To 6 Starring Margery Lowe needed to do a one- or two-person play of substance.
Actors’ Equity Association has very stringent rules and
Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) Producing Artistic procedures that must be adhered to, and Hayes said PBD
Director William Hayes and Actors’ Playhouse Artistic spent thousands of dollars to get special union-approved
Director David Arisco are pleased to announce that their filters that will purify the air in the theatre. “That’s
companies are joining forces on a virtual coproduction of just one indication of the many rigorous protocols we
The Belle of Amherst, William Luce’s one-woman play – and the Actors’ Playhouse – plan to implement when
based on the life of Emily Dickinson. Margery Lowe audiences return to our theatres.”
portrays the enigmatic poet and Hayes directs. The show Anyone uncertain as to whether they’re subscribed
will be filmed on PBD’s mainstage, without the presence to the upcoming season of PBD or Actors’ Playhouse, or
of an audience, and will be streamed from April 2 to 6. wishes to subscribe now to receive a free ticket to The
Belle of Amherst, should call PBD’s box office at (561)
514-4042, Ext. 2, or Actors’ Playhouse box office at (305)
444-9293.
Hayes and Arisco are planning to announce their
2021/22 seasons in the next few weeks. “It’s our way
of saying, ‘We’re still here, we’re still creating art, and
we’d love your attendance when you feel comfortable,”
in an author’s note in the published version of the play, they said.
and also said he wrote the piece hoping to “depict an Tickets went on sale Feb. 18. For technical reasons,
individualist of the highest order” and “the humanity and tickets can be purchased only through PBD’s website:
reasonableness of Emily Dickinson’s life.” www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or box office: (561)
“We’re very excited to be working together and The play is a showcase for a gifted actress – Julie 514-4042, Ext. 2.
mounting a full production even as our theatres remain Harris originated the role on Broadway in 1976 and won Actors’ Playhouse is an award-winning nonprofit
closed,” said Hayes and Arisco in a joint statement. a Tony Award – and Arisco and Hayes believe they have regional professional theatre company celebrating 33
“We’ve both done a lot of virtual play readings during the ideal artist in Lowe, who portrayed Dickinson in PBD’s years of artistic excellence. Located in the historic
the pandemic, and we wanted to try something different, world premiere production of Joseph McDonough’s comic Miracle Theatre on Miracle Mile in downtown Coral
to bring a full production into people’s homes. We want fantasia Edgar & Emily. “Margery is a lovely actress, and Gables, Actors’ Playhouse is a Florida Presenting Cultural
to set an example of two organizations that are moving she has a great warmth onstage,” said Arisco. “She’s an Organization and one of 13 major cultural institutions
forward and figuring out new ways to do things. We’ve interesting combination of maturity and youthfulness in in Miami-Dade County. The company produces five
known each other for a long time, and we share a mutual her performances, so she’s a terrific choice.” Hayes added, mainstage and four professional children’s theatre
respect – for each other, and for each other’s work. So, “Having seen Marge embody Dickinson in a very different productions annually, a year-round theatre conservatory
it just seemed like a no-brainer at this moment in time play, and having developed a professional bond over 15 and summer camp program, educational arts outreach
to do a co-pro and share our talents, our ideas, and, of years and numerous productions, I know she has the range, programs, and the Young Talent Big Dreams countywide
course, the costs.” the skill set, and the artistry to pull this off brilliantly.” youth talent contest in partnership with The Children’s
Tickets are $30, and all proceeds benefit PBD and Michael Amico is the set designer, Brian O’Keefe Trust. To learn more about Actors’ Playhouse, visit www.
Actors’ Playhouse, supplying much-needed revenue at is the costume designer, Kirk Bookman is the lighting ActorsPlayhouse.org.
a time when the theatres are earning no income. Once a designer, and Roger Arnold is the sound designer. Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit
ticket is purchased, the play can be viewed at the ticket The artistic directors were also drawn to The Belle of theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the
holder’s convenience any time from April 2 to 6. Amherst because of the poet’s growing popularity. She now heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the
Patrons who subscribed to the 2020/21 season of either has a fan base of teens and young adults, thanks to the series award-winning company produces five mainstage shows
company and did not ask for a refund, rolling over their Dickinson that is streaming on Apple TV+, a coming-of- and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the
subscription to the 2021/22 season, get to watch for free. age story with a contemporary sensibility that stars Hailee theatre, in schools, and online. Committed to fostering the
“It’s a thank you for having trust and confidence in our Steinfeld. In 2017, jazz saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom released future of theatre, PBD has become a hub for playwrights
organizations,” said Hayes and Arisco. an acclaimed album called Wild Lines: Improvising Emily in Florida and around the country to nurture their work
The shutdown of theatres last March compelled Dickinson, which does precisely what the title suggests. through initiatives including drama (in the) works and the
artistic directors all over the country to consider new Her poems have been translated into many languages, from annual New Year/New Plays Festival. PBD is a member of
ways to deliver content to their audiences. In Florida, French and Spanish to Persian and Kurdish. And Arisco says the Theatre Communications Group, Florida Professional
it also prompted them to talk and brainstorm. “It seems that he and Hayes are “making inroads” into two theatres Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm
logical that we’re entering a new era for regional theatre,” in London and Dublin, where Dickinson is a favorite. Beach County. www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
said Arisco, who will participate in some rehearsals and
be present during filming. “The need for co-pros and
collaboration now seems more evident. We realize we’re For only pennies a day, Link+
not antagonists, we’re not competing. This could lead to is a life preserver for any and all
future coproductions when we’re back in our theatres,
because even though we share a region and we share MERICAN individuals and a MUST for seniors.
critics, we don’t share an audience.”
Hayes has been advocating for collaboration and FEATURES:
unity among Florida companies for years, and the
pandemic strengthened his resolve to reach out. “Almost » 24/7 Professional Call Center
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with management of theatre companies that I’d rarely » Medication Reminders
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Luce, who adored Dickinson’s poetry, called his play 24HR RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE WITHOUT
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