Emerald coast theatre company presents NORTHWEST FLORIDA DEBUT OF “art,” a tony-award winning comedy by yasmina reza
Six performances will be staged March 6-8 & 13-15 at The Market Shops in Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2015) — Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) continues, a not-for-profit professional theater company based in Miramar Beach, Florida, continues its 2015 season by staging the Northwest Florida debut of “Art,” a comedy by French playwright Yasmina Reza.
The English translation of ‘Art’ debuted on London’s West End in 1996 and opened on Broadway two years later winning both the Tony Award and New York Drama Critics’ Circle for Best Play. It also received rave reviews when it debuted in New York including the New York Post, which described it as “wildly funny and naughtily provocative”.
Newsweek also lauded “Art” saying “Reza is a fiendishly clever writer and likening the comedy as “ a marriage of Molière and Woody Allen.”
Set in modern day Paris, the story revolves around three friends — Serge, Marc and Yvan — who find their previously solid15-year friendship on shaky ground when Serge buys an expensive abstract painting. Marc is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes “art.” Yvan is caught in the middle of the conflict and tries to please and mollify both of them.
Directed by ECTC artistic producer Nathanael Fisher, “Art” will be staged two weekends, March 6-8 and March 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. in suite 15 at the Market Shops, located at 9375 US Highway 98, near the entrance to Sandestin and Hilton resorts in Miramar Beach.
The performance is at 7:30 p.m. with an art gallery preview featuring local Northwest Florida including Andy Saczynski, Mary Hong, Velia Lala, Lori Drew and others prior to each show starting at 6:30 p.m.
“We are fortunate to have a thriving visual art scene here on the Emerald Coast and so it makes sense that we place a high value on it. For this production, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to collaborate with several of our talented local artists to create a special cultural evening that I hope will resonate with everyone,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher.
The three-member cast includes Don Goodrum (Serge), Jason Hedden (Yvan) and Allen Walker (Marc).
Don Goodrum, an actor, director and playwright that has more than 40 years experience. Since moving to Florida in 1999, he has played roles as challenging and diverse as Henry II in “The Lion in Winter,” Max Bialystock in “The Producers” Ebenezar Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” and the Devil in “The Devil and Daniel Webster.”
Jason Hedden is an actor, director and teacher based in Panama City Beach. He is currently an associate professor of theater at Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) where he is directing the world premiere of “Miracle of the White Leaves: The Musical.” Hedden holds an MFA in acting and devised theater from The Ohio State University and undergraduate theatre degrees from The University of South Florida and GCSC. Professional credits include roles with Seattle Shakespeare Company and Book-It Repertory Theatre. Hedden was last seen on stage in his original solo show, “Resurrecting van Gogh,” produced by ECTC in 2014.
Allen Walker is a local actor from Panama City who teaches Latin at Arnold High School. He was last seen as Scrooge in ECTC’s debut of “A Dickens Christmas.” Other favorite roles include Furtwangler in “Taking Sides,” the title role in Pericles, and Einstein in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” Allen is also a company actor with the Seaside Repertory Theatre, where he will soon be seen as Arlequin in “Com’media Robin Hood.”
Tickets are $20 per person. Due to language, the play is recommended for adult audiences. Seats are limited, advance purchase is recommended. To purchase tickets, visit emeraldcoasttheatre.org or call (850) 687-1637.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Link to images and promotional materials for “Art” HERE:
VIDEO LINKS
WHAT IS ECTC?: Link to a video of Nathanael Fisher as he describes ECTC’s vision and mission.
ABOUT EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY
Emerald Coast Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2012 by Nathanael Fisher, MFA, and his wife, Anna Fisher. Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, ECTC’s mission is to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. ECTC operates year-round with a two-fold mission to provide both educational and professional offerings to the Northwest Florida community. Educational outreach includes after school and home-school programs, touring and staged productions, summer camps, workshops and classes. The professional theater efforts are focused on family-oriented productions, festivals and collaborations as well as acting and improv workshops and classes for adults.
