The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis and Indiana Repertory Theatre are bringing playwright Steven Dietz to Indianapolis for a One-on-One discussion on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 1:00 pm. The event will be moderated by Lou Harry, Arts & Entertainment Writer for Indianapolis Business Journal and take place on The Phoenix Theatre Mainstage. This one-on-one is being held in conjunction with both theatres producing plays by Dietz this spring. Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is producing Becky's New Car from March 23 through April 11, 2010 and Phoenix Theatre is producing Yankee Tavern from April 8 through May 1, 2010.
This event is free to the public and will consist of approximately 45 minutes of one-on-one with Lou Harry and Steven Dietz, then approximately 15 minutes set aside for a question-and-answer time with the audience. Following the event, refreshments will be provided in the Phoenix lobby. No tickets or reservations are required, but feel free to call 317.635.PLAY (7529) for directions or additional information.
Dietz, whose plays range from the whimsical (More Fun Than Bowling) to the dramatic (God's Country), is a master of smart dialogue and wily storytelling. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dietz graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, after which he moved to Minneapolis and began his career as a director of new plays at The Playwrights' Center and other local theaters. During these years he also formed a small theatre company (Quicksilver Stage) and began to write plays of his own. Yankee Tavern was published in 2007, followed by Becky's New Car in 2008. Dietz now divides his time between Seattle and Austin, Texas where he teaches playwriting and screenwriting at the University of Texas at Austin.
Bryan Fonseca, Producing Director at the Phoenix, is directing The Edge-of-your-seat thriller Yankee Tavern and is excited about this collaboration with IRT. "It just seems like a natural fit for us to come together in support of a contemporary playwright like Steven Dietz. In this struggling economy, it is important to raise awareness of theatre in general as well as talented current playwrights." Fonseca went on to say that it is not often that a playwright is produced by two theatres in the same town at the same time, so it seemed fitting for IRT and the Phoenix to work together to bring not only two of Dietz's most well-known plays to life, but to bring the playwright to the public as well.
"We've always enjoyed the collaborations we've done with the Phoenix, whether its bringing a playwright to town, or co-hosting an arts community discussion," said IRT artistic director, Janet Allen. "Our plan to do two Steven Dietz plays sprang from a conversation Bryan and I had over a year ago, and it was such fun to imagine a little Steven Dietz festival between our two theatres."
This collaboration is also great for patrons. Through a package dubbed the Doubled Dietz Deal, the IRT and Phoenix Theatres are offering both plays for only $50. Call the IRT box office at 317.635.5252 for more details on this great offer; it is not available online.
First up to be produced is Becky's New Car, March 23-April 11, 2010 at IRT. IRT's own Playwright in Residence James Still is directing this comedy, which was described as "...a smooth, sharp and enjoyable ride..." by the Seattle Times. Becky's job at the car dealership, and her middle class lifestyle are, well, "fine.". But her 26 year-old freeloading son is living in her basement, and her 28-year marriage to Joe leave her with a nagging suspicion that she's missing out on something in her life. That "something" turns out to be a widower millionaire who falls for Becky at first sight. Does this mean that Becky has a chance to test drive another kind of life that could lead her to happiness?
Up next, Bryan Fonseca directs Yankee Tavern on the Phoenix Mainstage, April 8-May1, 2010. Alfred Hitchcock meets Oliver Stone in this fascinating and funny play set in a dusty old New York City bar. The young owner just wants to pour beer, marry his fiancée and live happily ever after. When a stranger walks in and orders a drink for himself and his invisible buddy, a thriller is set into motion that grips you until the very last word.
