Six full-length plays have been announced, in addition to one-acts and an "anthology" work by several contributors. The internationally recognized fount of new American works (this is where The Gin Game and other hits got their start) will boast 11 world premieres in rep on ATL's three stages Feb. 24-March 30, 2008.
No fewer than 17 emerging and established playwrights will be represented, artistic director Marc Masterson announced Dec. 14.
Full-length plays are Great Falls by Lee Blessing (New York City), This Beautiful City by Steven Cosson (New York City) and Jim Lewis (New York City), Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo (New York City), Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley (Los Angeles), the break/s by Marc Bamuthi Joseph (Oakland, CA) and All Hail Hurricane Gordo by Carly Mensch (New York City).
Ten-Minute plays are Tongue, Tied by M. Thomas Cooper (Portland, OR), Dead Right by Elaine Jarvik (Salt Lake City, In Paris You Will Find Many Baguettes but Only One True Love by Michael Lew (New York City) and One Short Sleepe by Naomi Wallace (native of Prospect, KY, residing in Skipton, North Yorkshire).
The dramatic anthology, Game On, is written by Zakiyyah Alexander (New York City), Rolin Jones (Los Angeles), Alice Tuan (Los Angeles), Daryl Watson (New York City), Marisa Wegrzyn (Chicago) and Ken Weitzman (Atlanta). This year's festival marks 30 years of continuous support from its underwriter, The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc.
Descriptions of the festival's world premiere line-up follow.
FULL-LENGTH PLAYS
All Hail Hurricane Gordo by Carly Mensch, directed by Sean Daniels. "The routines of daily life get blown apart when two brothers take in a plucky young houseguest. While India is running away from her relatively normal family, Chaz is struggling to find normalcy in the one he already has. Is it possible to be your brother's keeper and have a life too? Co-produced with The Cleveland Play House." BILL OF FOUR TEN-MINUTE PLAYS
One Short Sleepe by Naomi Wallace. "A young Lebanese student spins a web of connections between what he knew, what his sister saw, and the war that threatened them both." DRAMATIC ANTHOLOGY
Game On by Zakiyyah Alexander, Rolin Jones, Alice Tuan, Daryl Watson, Marisa Wegryzn and Ken Weitzman, music and lyrics by Jon Spurney, directed by Will MacAdams. "We're ready to play with guts and heart and rise to the challenge of examining American culture through the prism of sports. Sports touch all of our lives whether we are fans, players, tax- or tuition-payers. In this Olympic and election year, what do sports tell us about ourselves?" *
The festival plays will be presented in rotating repertory in Actors Theatre's 637-seat Pamela Brown Auditorium, 318-seat Bingham Theatre and 159-seat Victor Jory Theatre.
Two weekends featuring festival plays are slated for industry professionals. Theatre Professional Weekend (March 21-23) is for artistic directors, literary managers and playwrights. Press, producers, directors, casting agents from stage, film and television are invited to Special Visitors Weekend (March 28-30).
For information or reservations call (502) 584-1205 or (800) 4-ATL-TIX, or visit Actors Theatre's website at www.ActorsTheatre.org.