The Florida troupe was created from the ashes of the Key West Theatre Festival, which folded earlier this year. Run by executive director Mare Contrare, The Key West Playwrights Company "is dedicated to bringing new works of the theatre written by critically acclaimed writers to Key West."
Contrare previously told Playbill On-Line that readings rather than full productions would be the focus of the company, and she hoped to anchor shows with star names or major-marquee playwrights. The trio of artistic directors includes Israel Horovitz, Terrence McNally and Joe Pintauro.
Resurrection Blues, an allegorical play about the crucifixion of a messiah figure in a South American country (and the media personalities positioned to cover the event), has been seen regionally at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia. In March 2004, The Old Globe in San Diego will stage the play's West Coast premiere.
The Key West reading will feature local actors Richard Grusin, Murphy Davis and Eugenia Andruchowicz, among others.
The reading is 8 PM Dec. 11 at The San Carlos Institute in Key West. Tickets are $50. Tickets are available online at www.keystix.com or by calling (305) 295-7676. For more information about the KWPC season, call (305) 296-8868. *
Playwright Terrence McNally, one of the artistic directors of the Key West Playwrights Company, said in a statement, "Key West has always been a theatre-friendly place. Those of us who have supported The Red Barn and Waterfront Playhouse can only be happy that this ambitious new program of play readings has begun with Arthur Miller and his new play. Quality theatre has nothing to do with locale. It has everything to do with commitment from the presenters and the welcoming enthusiasm and interest of the audiences. Tennessee Williams [who lived in Key West] would approve."
The evening's reading will open with an introduction by one of the artistic directors of The Key West Playwrights Company.
The reading will be followed by a talkback session with members of the cast and conclude with an invitation-only post-show party event.
