B. O. P. takes on the Scopes “Monkey” Trial

A cast of 30 of Bisbee’s finest actors, directed by Rae E. Jones, has begun rehearsals for Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee. This intense courtroom drama captures the emotion-packed division between fundamentalist religious believers, bent on keeping the teachings of evolutionary biology (as put forth by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species) out of the classrooms, and civil libertarians pressing to retain free speech and fighting to keep religious censorship out of education. William Roberts and Eugene (Gene) Conners square off as fictionalized versions of William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow (Mathew Harrison Brady and Harold Drummond in the play), oratorical giants of their day. These courtroom scenes were “torn from the headlines” long before Law & Order was cool. The real life Dayton, Tennessee, has been changed to Hillsboro, Ohio, circa 1925.

Rae likes this play because these issues arise again and again in our society and the dichotomy of beliefs seems to be at a new emotional high at this time, separating our citizens into warring camps. She believes that open-minded playgoers of all beliefs will come away from the theater with considerable food for thought after seeing this drama.

Performances of “Inherit the Wind” are scheduled for 7:30 pm on January 21, 22, 28, & 29, 2011, with 3:00 pm matinees slated for January 23 and 30. Mark your calendars now so as not to miss what promises to be an outstanding show. All performances will be held in the theater at Central School Project in Old Bisbee.

Special Price for Yellow Boat Matinee

Spread the Word!

Bisbee’s Obscure Productions is offering special family prices for the matinee performance of The Yellow Boat by David Saar The show is Bisbee’s Obscure Productions family theater for patrons 8 years old and up. The matinee will be Sunday, September 26, at 3:00 pm. Families of parents (or parental units) and children will be admitted for just $5 each. Mention that you heard it on the blog.

The Yellow Boat is Open -- Don't Be Afraid

The Yellow Boat by David Saar opened last Friday to great acclaim -- from the few people who saw it. It's like nothing you've seen before from BOP. There's music and dance, but it's not Urinetown. There are poignant parts that might make you tear up, but it's not a tragedy.

The Yellow Boat is a lovely and triumphant celebration of the life of Benjamin Saar, who was once a real live kid, an artist. Benjamin contracted HIV from treatment for hemophilia. All through his life he drew. He drew trains and monsters and boats and rainbows. Benjamin was funny and smart. His father's play gives us all of this, and with the help of a fine cast, BOP honors Benjamin and entertains you.

Yes, there is sadness, and there is regret for a life that was too, too short. We have tissues. Don't be afraid to cry. Don't be afraid to laugh either. There are some good ones.

A 180 degree flip

We were still unable to cast The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told by Paul Rudnick. So, we did a 180 in terms of content, but not in terms of artistry.

Our next production will be The Yellow Boat by David Saar. It's family theater, which we haven't done in a while, and not at all at Central School Project. The Yellow Boat is based on a true story. David Saar and his wife Sonja had a son, Benjamin, who was born with hemophilia. Benjamin is an artist, who express his joys and pains through drawing and painting. He contracted HIV through treatment for hemophilia. The Yellow Boat is the story of his journey expressed not only in words, but in color, dance, music and movement.

Please join us in September for this beautiful play.

For ages 8 and up.

Dates:
September 17, 18, 24 & 25 at 7:30 pm
September 26 at 3:00 pm

We're Baa-ack

Wondering where BOP has been? Maybe, maybe not, but we're back in the game. We had some casting issues, which necessitated our postponing the June/Pride production of The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told by Paul Rudnick. We are going to try again to cast this extremely funny and touching play. I read a lot of plays before choosing this one, and we want to produce it because it is so, so good.

Auditions will be July 18 at 1:00 pm at Central School Project. We're looking for men and women 18 years of age and older. (The show is quite "adult.") If we don't know you as an actor, please bring a short memorized monologue, not original work. You will all read from the script. For more information on the show, see our website:
https://sites.google.com/site/bisbeesobscureproductions/

There's a script you can read at the Copper Queen Library. If you google the name of the play, you'll see what other companies have done with the script. We will perform the script as written but focus not on the lewd but on the love -- you'll see.

Please spread the word about the auditions. Experience is not required but courage is. Please call and talk to us if you have any questions: 520-432-2901.

I hope to see many of you on the 18th. Tell your friends.

gilles

Here Today Opening Tonight

Love, it's all about love -- whom to love and how.

Pearl Watkins has created a comedy drama that will have you laughing just when you thought you were going to cry -- and feeling tears prick your eyes just when the comedy is at its peak. At the beginning of the play Alan and Sophie argue about their crumbling relationship. Sophie is sexually inhibited, Alan is frustrated, so Sophie decides to move out. They become involved with new same-sex partners who happen to be twins separated at birth. Add the mother of the twins, languishing in a loveless marriage, and a wealthy long-lost lover determined to find her, and we have six characters caught up in the pursuit of ideals that may not even exist. However, their selfishness is transformed after a visit to the mysterious House of Sheets, and they find themselves united by the shock of a common loss. By the end of the play they have all attained a degree of happiness, probably transient but no less real and meaningful while they have it.

The lovely couples in the photograph are Cobban Barnett & Christa Smith, Ginger O'Leary & Carl Purush Siberon.

We're bringing it back -- the Bisbee Women's Review. I know it is supposed to be "Revue."

From Merriam-Webster.com:

Etymology: French, from Middle French reveue review — more at review

Date: 1872 : a theatrical production consisting typically of brief loosely connected often satirical skits, songs, and dances

Back in the 80s, someone spelled it "Review," and we're keeping that tradition. Also in keeping with the early beginnings of this show, all tickets are $5 at the door. When we say get there early, we mean it. We only have 80 seats, and sellouts are possible.

We have some fabulous acts in a wide variety of styles: music by Jenny Druckman and friends, Pat Panther and the women of the Occasional Chorus; dance from Abigail Stage, Angelika Johnson and Joan Reichel. Pearl Watkins, Rae Jones and others will handle the drama and humor. And there's more -- come to the show to find out.

For those of you who remember the Women's Shows at the Old Baptist Church, we want to tell you that Central School Project has upgraded amenities with water-saving toilets. Please follow the directions.

We're looking forward to seeing all of you, including our friends of the male persuasion, at these exciting, entertaining performances. One weekend only: March 12 & 13 at 7:30 pm and March 14 at 3:00 pm. Remember, first come, first seated.

We're open!

Urinetown, The Musical opened last night to a standing ovation and many, many, enthusiastic comments:

"The best thing I've seen in Bisbee!"

"Wonderful"

"Thank you!"

Tickets are going fast, so if you want a wonderful evening or afternoon of theater, head to one of our great ticket vendors.

Atalanta's Music and Books, Main Street, Old Bisbee
Bisbee Visitor Center, Main Street, Old Bisbee
Bisbee Food Coop, Lowell
Oscar Yrun Community Center, Sierra Vista

Great response

We took our cast to the Saturday night Art Walk last night. They sang three songs from the show, "Urinetown," "Follow Your Heart," and "Run, Freedom, Run." Kudos to all the singers: Renee Gardner, Jeremy Heisner, Michael Holland, Joe Holder, Rae Jones, Kathy Shaughnessy, Margo Macartney and Elizabeth Henley.

Thank you to the audience, who stood in the cold to hear the great music. Tell all your friends.

And many thanks to The Source Within, a lovely store with lovely people, who lent their space, their sidewalk and some electricity to the evening's entertainment.