Returning, after two years’ hiatus, under the auspices of producer Doug Bragan’s Douglas Theater Corp., this third not-so-annual event features 16 non-Equity companies in as many one-act plays, organized in programs of four (during previews, programs of two). The selections range from experimental drama to camp melodrama to medieval farce to musical comedy to good ol’ American naturalism. “One might select one of the four packages because of a particular play included in it,” says a press release. “In addition to that play, three others are presented, showcasing other companies whose work one will be pleased to discover.” One had better be pleased, since tickets to single plays are not available at this point (though a waiting list is being kept at the box office). At the Theatre Building, March 24 through April 15. Saturdays, 2 and 7 PM; Sundays, 1 and 6 PM. (Previews through March 23; Thursday and Friday, 8:30 PM, Saturday 6:30 and 9:30 PM; Sunday 1, 3:30, and 7:30 PM. $12 per two-play program) $14-$19 per four-play program; “marathon tickets,” good for one whole day (two programs), $27. Prices apply to advance sales; tickets purchased day of performance cost an additional $3. The preview schedule is as follows (see listings below for descriptions of the plays). March 22, 8:30 PM–5 Very Live and Pathelin. March 23, 8:30 PM–Why the Lord Came to Sand Mountain and Otto. Starting March 24, the schedule is as follows:
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SPRING DANCE; WAITING FOR BUDDHAT; GAS MASK 101; LADIES First: Cactus Theatre remounts its recent production of Horton Foote’s study of southwestern life. Second: Dan Kobayashi’s “lighthearted nightmare” with a supernatural theme is performed by Mina Sama-No (world premiere). Third: Arlene Cook’s play, presented by Mary-Arrchie Theatre, is a coming-of-age story about college guys in 1970. Fourth: Different Drummer performs a revue of songs–“some not often performed in polite company”–by Cole Porter. March 25 and April 1, 6 PM; April, 8 and 15, 1 PM.
