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News
'Bill of (W)Rights' uncovers U.S. freedoms some take for grantedBy Mary Gottschalk Renegade Theatre Experiment lives up to its name with its upcoming production of Bill of (W)Rights, opening at Historic Hoover Theatre on Sept. 7. As the title implies, it deals with first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as the basic rights Americans take for granted, including religious freedom, trial by jury, freedom of speech, the right to bear arms and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. "This play seemingly mocks the freedoms we have, but we're using the same freedoms to produce it," says Susannah Greenwood, director. "Some are very abstract and some are quite realistic. All are politically charged and make you think. We don't care if you like it or don't like it, or if you agree or don't agree. We want people to think and [we want to] elicit some reaction." Greenwood calls this Renegade production both "bold" and "really experimental." While most plays have a single author and are traditionally presented on stage in a theater with a passive, sitting audience, Bill of (W)Rights breaks that mold. Bill of (W)Rights is essentially 10 plays from nine playwrights, and staging isn't confined to the actual theater. Rather, the audience will be mobile, breaking into two segments and moving from space to space to view the vignettes. Additionally, the plays focus on the interpersonal, rather than abstract concepts. In one, an unfaithful man pleads the Fifth Amendment to his family. In another, two soldiers citing the Patriot Act commandeer a woman's home. In a third, a mother searches her daughter's school bag and discovers a pack of cigarettes. Sean Murphy, artistic director of Renegade, says no matter what personal political philosophy an audience member has, he believes the play is going to appeal to everybody, and also, it's going to challenge everybody. "There's a lot of stuff in here. When I see a rehearsal, I come away with a button pressed. Ultimately, we hope it sparks discussion so that when people leave the theater, there will be topics to discuss and think about," Murphy says. The Renegade Theatre production is the West Coast premiere for Bill of (W)Rights, which was commissioned and staged by Jack Reuler and Michael Bigelow Dixon at Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis in 2004. In the original production, Reuler used a cast of six directors and 24 actors in eight different settings. For the Renegade production, which is only the third time Bill of (W)Rights has been presented, Greenwood is the sole director and there are 11 cast members playing multiple roles. Greenwood says as rehearsals have progressed the actors have discussed their own feelings and the pertinence of the show to news headlines today. "Freedoms are being taken away or changed," she says. "These principles are still very pertinent. They are utopian, but also basic, fundamental freedoms." Renegade Theatre Experiment presents "Bill of (W)Rights" at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave. Performances are Sept. 7 through 23. Tickets for Thursday performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. are $18 general and $13 for students, seniors and educators. Tickets for Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. are $20 general and $15 for students, seniors and educators. Tickets are available at www.renegadetheatre.com and at the door. 'Fight for Your Rights' fundraiser Renegade Theatre Experiment is hosting a "Fight for your Rights Fundraiser Party" in celebration of the West Coast Premier of Bill of (W)Rights on Sept. 9. The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. with food, drinks and musical entertainment by dRAW PINKY performing politically-themed rock. Additionally, there will be a silent auction. At 8 p.m., Bill of (W)Rights will be performed. Tickets are $55 general and $35 for season subscribers. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.renegadetheatre.com and at the door. |
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