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When Rhubarb Theatre artistic director Julie Alexander departed Nashville earlier this year--joining husband and former Nashville Film Festival AD Brian Gordon overseas in Newcastle, England--the future of her six-year-old progressive theater company seemed in doubt. Eventually, Alexander passed the reins over to actress Trish Crist, who has appeared in some of Alexander's most important productions (Birds in Church, My Secret Weapon, Last Chance Texaco) and who shares Alexander's vision for local premieres and originals that focus, one way or the other, on the subjects of tolerance and diversity, as usually depicted in slice-of-life situations. Crist recently announced a four-play lineup that runs into summer of 2010, and it is clear that she intends to exert firm creative control, since she's the author or compiler of the material that will be initially presented. First up is What, a series of 20 Crist-penned vignettes that explore essential humanity: fear, shame, joy, desire, denial, identity. A more-than-capable cast has been assembled--Crist, Chris Basso, Jack E. Chambers, Megan Murphy and Dave Shetler--and, in a firm salute to the collaborative theatrical spirit, each player directs four of the pieces. Crist has dubbed her setting "Seinfeld-like," though we can probably expect more genuine dramatic moments than wisecracks (though those are promised, too). The play contains adult language and is intended for mature audiences.
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 5. Continues through June 13, 2009
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 5. Continues through June 13, 2009
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