2011/2012 Season
EAT THE RUNT
Written by Avery Crozier
Directed by Sean C. Murphy
"In the wildly eccentric production of “Eat the Runt” at San Jose’s Renegade Theatre Experiment, there’s lots of great enlightenment and entertainment...What I found most fascinating about the show is not that the characters change. My personal fascination was that every little nuanced movement has to illicit a different reaction every single night. There is the piece that requires an actor to learn lines of eight characters. That is not the biggest challenge. What is much more challenging is to create fresh, organic truths within minutes of the audience’s casting selections. And when it comes to these needs for the play to fly, the actors seemed to be having fun with the material, which came through nicely." David John Chavez, The Examiner (29-Sep-2011)
"Renegade has another surefire hit on their hands…A great show if you’re in the mood for some mad cap entertainment and hilarity…just pure fun and merriment from start to finish." Jeanie Smith, SF Bay Times (22-Sep-2011)
"From concept to execution this is mind-boggling excellence. Mind. Boggling. Excellence....It’s hard to imagine better casting for this to be honest. Professional, brilliant, committed, entertaining, this cast puts the live in live theatre...This is the mark of true art…It is with great pleasure, for so many reasons, I give this show the first ever 5 out of 5 jewels in the tiara." Princess Susannah, Artsalot (15-Sep-2011)
"The comedy is quite entertaining...Crozier's writing leaves the opportunity for unexpected humor and role reversals...the comedic timing was spot on-remarkable, given the seemingly short timing of their being cast for the role...the ending is full of twists and turns that are perfectly executed." Jen Nowell, The Metro (15-Sep-2011)
"Worth Seeing Again! - I've seen this show twice, and both times were outrageous and hilarious. This is an amazing production. You can only get this experience from theater. If you only see two plays this year, see this one twice. The second time was even better since I could really appreciate the effect of mixing up the actor/role combinations. There's also a twist that is very well written long before the reveal when you know what to look for. I'm hoping I can see it a third time." PulpPoet , RTE patron on Artsopolis (26-Sep-2011)
"Terrific Show! - This was a very enjoyable show and I highly recommend it. Looking forward to seeing it again." mjsutton, RTE patron on Artsopolis (25-Sep-2011)
"Delicious !! - Eat the Runt is a lip smacking, thigh slapping gut busting good time. I just saw it again and it was funnier than the first time, surprise ending and all! The writing is clever, the direction smart and the cast brilliant. I am hungry for more and may just go back for another serving." Cromagmom, RTE patron on Artsopolis (22-Sep-2011)
"So Well Done - So I have to say now having seen a live production, I have the greatest respect and admiration for all the actors in this production. It was well executed and very entertaining." theatreg33k, RTE patron on Artsopolis (22-Sep-2011)
"Highly recommend - My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed Eat the Runt. Fine start to new season. Great script well acted." mm, RTE patron on Artsopolis (20-Sep-2011)
"Must see! - Great play. I already bought tickets to see it again. Glad to find such a gem of a theater in my own back yard. I will be looking to see your other plays this season. Thank you for a great night." Anna_Shapiro-Mackler, RTE patron on Artsopolis (18-Sep-2011)
"Clever, original, hilarious-interesting casting device - "Eat the Runt," used a really interesting concept. The audience got to decide which actor played which role. Because of this, all actors had to learn all parts. Even without this device, the play was hilarious. I laughed out loud several times! Looking forward to seeing it a second--and maybe third--time with the actors cast in different roles. A scene in the second half is worth admission alone. (It's about someone speaking in tongues, but I won't give more away)! I haven't laughed so hard in years. I can't recommend this cutting edge theater enough! The tickets are relatively inexpensive. You can also come to see a show twice, and get get half priced tickets the second time). The audience seats are comfortable. Come support community theater! Artistic director Sean C. Murphy and staff are doing an admirable job with the productions." April_Durrett, RTE patron on Artsopolis (17-Sep-2011)
"Great show! See it more than once! - I've seen this show a few times now, and it's definitely worth seeing more than once. Every actor has to be able to play each role, and from what I've seen so far, each of them can play each part very well. It's fun seeing the differences that they individually bring to the characters. If you're thinking of seeing this show multiple times, consider the Experimenter's pass; it's a good way to support RTE and to see a lot of great theatre in the process!" rgmisra@alum.mit.edu, RTE patron on Artsopolis (17-Sep-2011)
"A Wild Ride Start to Finish! - I loved this piece. The actors were remarkably versatile and facile. The pace was perfect and the writing very clever. I don't usually like gimmick pieces, which this admittedly is, but I had a fantastic time at this production. Highly recommended!!" MissDinna, RTE patron on Artsopolis (16-Sep-2011)
"What a surprising show! I will have to see it again, just to see how things change. I highly recommend this show for those with a good sense of humor!" Bonny Masters, RTE patron on Artsopolis (13-Sep-2011)
8 actors. 7 roles. You, the audience, cast the show. The ultimate theatrical experiment!
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season, take an exhilarating ride through the anxiety-ridden process of finding a job with a new edition of RTE's 2003 hit, EAT THE RUNT.
In EAT THE RUNT, we follow Merritt, an applicant for a grant writing position at a major art museum, who must meet and win over all the museum's eccentric staff in the interview process—where the hilarious and unexpected is bound to happen.
In a play written with no gender pronouns, all of the actors learn all of the roles, and the audience casts the show every night. With over 40,000 possible combinations, every performance will shed new light on each of the characters and relationships. What defines a character's identity, when there is the possibility of any gender, age, or race can play the role? Cultural stereotyping one night may become sexual harassment the next.
Only you can decide. It’s never the same show twice.
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9 CIRCLES
South Bay PREMIERE
Written by Bill Cain
Directed by Kathleen Normington
"It's a dense...provocative journey . . . a gritty, at times revealing trip" Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle (21-Oct-2010)
"This is theater that shakes your foundation and leaves you breathless" Chad Jones, Theatre Dogs (20-Oct-2010)
Winner, 2011 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award
Winner, 2010 Sky Cooper New American Play Prize
Winner, 2010 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award
"Don't Miss out, go watch! - 9 circles is an intriguing story with all around great actors. It takes you into the perspective of a soldier and the struggles he faces while over in the Iraqi War and after he is discharged. It makes you realize the distorted condition and seriousness that many soldiers are affected with during and after the war. Each actor played his or her role effectively. They convinced the audience of the characters they were trying to portray. Not only was the acting noteworthy, but also was the set design; the props used were ideal and they used the space well for the somewhat small acting area they had to work with. If you are looking for a well acted, interesting story plot, and emotional experience, look no further, go see 9 Circles directed by Kathleen Normington!" mweck12 , RTE patron on Artsopolis (8-Nov-2011)
"Well-done - I thought the play was very interesting. I have never seen a play like 9 Circles before. All the actors did amazing jobs acting, and for a small space, performed beautifully. Sometimes I found myself getting confused, but it wasn't so much where I didn't understand the entire play. I liked the concept of the 9 circles for each setting, and how each "circle" portrayed another moment of Daniel's life. The play was very emotional, and helped me realize more about what soldiers go through. We say that we understand, but we never truly can unless we're there and "9 Circles" did a fabulous job of portraying the psychological aspects of a soldier's journey. It is truly an eye-opener that I recommend to anyone who is interested." Kristine_Tazel, RTE patron on Artsopolis (7-Nov-2011)
"Excellent - I went to go see the preview performance on Friday night. Before the play started, they mentioned that it was the final rehearsal they were having before, open night. During the performance, it do not even seem like it was just a rehearsal, the dedication was obvious. I hadn't heard of this play before, so i did not know what to expect. The flyer of course showed just a snip it. Right of the bat, this play was very emotional. It really touched you on the inside. The actors were great, all just filled in what was their part. For only having 4 actors, it was really extraordinary. Daniel Edward Reeves, Max Tachis, was great. HE led the play and it just looked like he had no trouble at all. Just the way he performed and was able to convince the audience what he was acting was true. This topic of the war in Iraq is not always talked about and having a play like this that shows 9 Circles, is good for a lot of people learn." Candy_Garcia, RTE patron on Artsopolis (7-Nov-2011)
"The play 9 circles set up by the Renegade Theatre was an amazing play. The company did a great job in becoming their characters and becoming one with the scene. All of the small details added to the effect of the play and suspension of disbelief. The play was well directed and the stage space was efficiently used. I think that this group did extraordinarily well in portraying the point in which they attempted to make with the soldier and his situation. Although I cannot speak for others, this play did, throughout the two hours, catch my attention. There were no "predictable" parts that would have made any of the scenes boring. It was a good play." cowmanftw, RTE patron on Artsopolis (7-Nov-2011)
"Renegade Theatre Experiment won with this show - 9 Circles directed by Kathleen Normington was a hit. I attended the show on Fri. Nov. 4th on what Sean C. Murphy called the cast's final dress rehearsal. After seeing the production one could hardly call what the audience saw a rehearsal. 9 Circles appeared to be polished, smooth, and very well rehearsed. I very much enjoyed the entire production from lighting to wardrobe. The Historic Hoover Theatre was a treat to go to as well. I had never been to the facility before and fell in love with its intimate setting. The space was perfect for the small cast and made the intense moments realistic. It made it so the audience could really empathize with the lead character, played by Max Tachis. Everyone else in the play portrayed multiple roles and did a good job of making each character distinctly different from one another. The audience reacted appropriately to the actions onstage which, I believe, helped the story along quite well. There were no "predictable" parts that would have made any of the scenes boring. It was a good play." Catie_Goldstein, RTE patron on Artsopolis (7-Nov-2011)
"A Must See - With only four actors and performed in a little historic theater this production of 9 Circles was an exceptional play. Even though it was challenging for each actor because they had to play several different roles they manage to change in and out of character and there was no difficulty depicting which character each actor was meant to be. I especially like that this theater was in a small setting with only around 50 audience members. The audience felt intimate and close to the actors. I could see all the actions and this was enhanced towards the end of the play when the audience felt like they were a part of the play. The story line was serious, yet there were some humorous parts that made the story more lively and funny to watch. One thing that I did not like about this performance was that there was no intermission and it was fairly long. Overall it must be hard to put on a play with such a small cast of actors, but they did an excellent job." ElizaJohnson, RTE patron on Artsopolis (6-Nov-2011)
"Riveting - I saw the preview of "9 Circles" and I found it to be fascinating. It was enlightening because it gave a very real look at the war and an intense look inside the mind of a soldier. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that everyone can relate to this story on some level. Daniel Reeves, the main character, wants to be normal and fit in like everyone else. He is in the army because he wants to feel normal, which is a feeling that we all know. Not only was this show a commentary on the war, it also offered a perspective on human emotions and the need to fit in. The play had four actors that all delivered riveting performances. Even the characters in the background added to the intensity and emotion as they seemed to represent the voices in Reeves' head. Overall, this is a very intense show that shines a light on the war and what it means to be human." Iceburg, RTE patron on Artsopolis (6-Nov-2011)
"Pleasantly Surprised - This is not what I expected when I heard that the play revolved around a veteran of the war in Iraq. I was pleasantly surprised though. 9 circles tackles some of the harsh realities of war that our soldiers face on a daily basis. It follows Daniel Reeves (Max Tachis) through the difficulties he faces upon his arrival home. Max expertly plays his role and truly embodies the character's mental issues and dark humor. While there is humor sprinkled throughout the show, the jokes are more likely to cause an internal chuckle, rather than incite a laugh-riot. Strong language is present in the dialogue but it is not arbitrary. It is incorporated well and feels natural to the situation and character. If you are looking for a play to ponder over for days to come, this is a great choice for you. Helpful hint: While seated and waiting for the show to begin, note the music playing. You just might recognize it!" Jake_Karnes, RTE patron on Artsopolis (6-Nov-2011)
"Designers and actors made an amazing performance - The play was great! What I enjoyed most was the use of sound flowing over the stage at planned moments that would blend into a scene and intensify the emotions of the characters as well as strengthen the interactions of the characters. The lighting and scenic design were amazing, and creatively used, through different techniques of lighting that would focus the audience on the emotions of a scene, and let actors play with the light in order to make a performance way worth seeing. The performance of the actors was great, as they mastered the skill of switching between different characters, changing their accents and adhering to the different personalities with appropriate hand gestures and movements altogether. All actors played their roles so convincingly, and it never came up when I was confused by seeing the same actor as a different character, because the actor would do a great job at adapting to the different characters. I would recommend this play to everyone!" EricPyka246, RTE patron on Artsopolis (6-Nov-2011)
"The performance was really intense, based on how the actors expressed their emotions and objectives in each scene through physical action and shouting. The story itself was really unique, to learn about a soldier with a personality disorder and going through hell to just admit he is guilty for his crime. I really enjoyed the performances by Max Tachis and Keith C Marshall, they both showed a variety of emotions and humor to make them really memorable. While the performance was exciting to watch, there was a heavy usage of dialogue in most of the scenes, which made it a little hard to keep up with the story. Other than that, all the actors should great focus in their parts. They all stayed in character and kept strong focus even when they were just sitting or walking back and forth on stage. Overall I recommend watching this play, the acting and story will keep you guessing what will happen next." Hannah_Duenwald, RTE patron on Artsopolis (5-Nov-2011)
Am I monster?
Bill Cain's award-winning psychological drama follows a young, honorably discharged soldier and the twists and turns in his mind as he is prosecuted for rape and murder he may have committed against Iraqi civilians during the war.
Following Dante's nine circles of hell, every scene takes us further into a troubled mind, as the young vet battles with lawyers, drill sergeants, priests, psychiatrists, and ultimately, himself.
What makes a killer? What makes a monster? And what is an act of mercy?
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Green Whales
WEst Coast PREMIERE
Written by Lia Romeo
Directed by Ana-Catrina Buchser
"Adults will enjoy "Green Whales" and will find, besides raw and bizarre humor, some serious contemporary ideas to consider. You may never see another play quite like it." Jeannine Chatterton-Papineau, infoZine (22-Mar-2010)
"Green Whales plays at times like a Thurber short story about the war between the sexes...when it comes down to that bittersweet elixir that pours dangerously easily like Smirnoff, but tastes just like coffee - it may or may not be good for you. When Goethe wrote, "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing," he might have drunk from the same glass that Lia Romeo shared with us three hundred years later. " Steve Shapiro, KC Metropolis (8-Mar-2010)
Darkly funny, painfully romantic, and full of ethical dilemmas. From Lia Romeo, author of RTE's 2010 World Premiere hit RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, comes the wonderfully skewed GREEN WHALES.
Karen Wilson is a normal 38 year old woman—she's mourning her mother's death, dealing with an alcoholic sister, has a history of romantic disasters, and holds a fulfilling job as a university professor. Except—she has a genetic disease that makes her look 13 years old. Every man she has ever dated gets creeped out, so she finds herself perpetually dateless. When her sister sets her up with an intelligent, available man who may just have an attraction to younger girls, she faces the dilemma: let him believe she's 13, and find a few moments of romantic bliss, or tell him the truth, and risk pushing him away.
How does our outward appearance hide our true inner identities? And when the two are so different, how can one woman find a true connection with someone? Don't miss this truly unconventional love story!
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| Location: | Historic Hoover Theater 1635 Park Avenue San José , CA 95126 All performances begin at 8pm except Sunday. Sunday performances begin at 7pm. |
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