THEATRE + COMEDY

Houston’s funniest history class begins June 2 with the regional premiere of The Complete History of America (abridged), a hilarious three-person hit that’s part irreverent history class, part stand-up comedy routine. Created by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, members of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, the show has enjoyed popular success in cities around the world, including New York, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, San Diego and many more.

The New York Times calls the show “intellectual vaudeville”, and the Montreal Gazette says “History has never been this much fun. Or as delightfully mutilated!” The Complete History of America (abridged) runs runs in Stages’ Yeager Theater June 2 - 27, 2010. Previews June 2 & 3; Opening June 4.

“It seems like this season, more folks have asked for a good belly-laugh at Stages, and the minute I encountered this show I knew I had found the right one for us,” Stages Producing Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin said. “The show is pure, pure fun and it adds up to a rich, joyous evening in the theatre. This is one history lesson you’ll never forget!”

Audiences will learn a little and laugh a lot as the three clownish cultural guerillas—played by Susan O. Koozin (Grey Gardens, The Great American Trailer Park Musical), David Matranga (Man from Nebraska, Grey Gardens) and Kregg Dailey (Panto Sleeping Beauty)—lead their rollicking lesson. They’ll tackle such controversial questions as: Who really discovered America? Why did Abe Lincoln free the slaves? And how many Democrats does it take to screw in a light bulb? Houston theatre veteran Brian Byrnes (Polish Joke) directs.

On June 2, in conjunction with the first preview of The Complete History of America (abridged), the ACLU of Texas will conclude its 2009-2010 Play Group subscription series with a post-performance talk by history professor Sidney Buchanan, who is known for reciting lectures in song or poetry. Tickets are $40 and include light refreshments.

Stages will also offer patrons the opportunity to purchase a special dinner package in partnership with Mockingbird Bistro. The package includes a ticket to the show and a mouth-watering three-course prix fixe menu at Mockingbird. For the patrons’ convenience, all reservations are made through the Stages Box Office—it’s one-stop shopping at its best! Dinner packages are $65 each.

Special Event:

For the 2009-2010 season Stages is launching a new Play Groups program designed to help groups and organizations create more value for their members and forge new connections in the community by building on the Stages experience. Our inaugural partner in this program is the ACLU of Texas, who have lined up an outstanding series of speakers to complement our 2009-2010 plays. Each event gets you a ticket to the MainStage play, plus a great speaker and some light refreshments for each designated ACLU of Texas Night.

ACLU of Texas Night: June 2, 2010
Speaker: Professor Sidney Buchanan, retired professor of Constitutional Law, University of Houston Law Center
No stranger to the theatre, Professor Buchanan has a reputation for reciting his lectures either in song or in poetry.
Single tickets $40

Stages Repertory Theatre
Characterized by courage, generosity, ingenuity, and intimacy, Stages Repertory Theatre advances theatre and enlivens culture by producing new work, interpreting established work in new ways, and nurturing talent for the performing arts field. In addition to its MainStage season of plays, Stages presents the EarlyStages series, introducing young audiences to the power and magic of live theatre. Stages also offers a range of additional education and outreach programs that encourage conversation about important ideas and issues, provide insight into other cultures and viewpoints, and help develop each new generation of citizens, artists and audiences.

Now concluding its 31st season, Stages is a member of the Fresh Arts Coalition and a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for not-for-profit theatres. Stages operates under an agreement with Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.