MST New/Now Series: I Am Barbie

Presented by Main Street Theater at Main Street Theater - Rice Village

May 12-May 29, 2011

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Main Street Theater concludes its inaugural season of the New/Now Series with the world premiere of Walton Beacham’s I Am Barbie, a tell-all exposé of one of the greatest icons of the 20th century! With a preview on May 12, I Am Barbie opens May 13 and runs through May 29 at Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

“The absurdity of...

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Main Street Theater concludes its inaugural season of the New/Now Series with the world premiere of Walton Beacham’s I Am Barbie, a tell-all exposé of one of the greatest icons of the 20th century! With a preview on May 12, I Am Barbie opens May 13 and runs through May 29 at Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

“The absurdity of Barbie’s creation, life and deification in the nuclear age may be one of the clearest social signposts of the second half of the twentieth century. . .and she’s still going strong.”
--Walton Beacham

What if Barbie could talk? What if she could really tell you what it was like to be a sex symbol and role model all at once- and to have all those careers - all those outfits! Well, now she can. In this world premiere production, Barbie is 50, and she’s got a voice. She’s here to let you in on it all. Ken and Skipper are along for the ride, as well as her creator and mother, Ruth. Buckle your seat belts: it’s a wild ride…

Recommended for mature audiences due to profanity and adult situations.

About Playwright Walton Beacham
Walton Beacham holds degrees from Georgia Tech (B.S.), Georgia State University (B.A. Literature), and the University of Arkansas (M.A. Literature, M.F.A. Fiction). He has taught math, physics, literature, and creative writing at the University of Arkansas, University of Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth University where he was Associate Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing. He was Book Editor for the Sunday book section for the “Richmond Times Dispatch,” contributor to the “Richmond Mercury,” and contributor to “The Nation.” He left his position as Associate Professor of English to become vice president of Salem Press, and then founder and president of Beacham Publishing Corp (1985-present). His two-act play Blood Sunday was selected through a juried competition for a reading on the main stage of The Players Theatre in Sarasota, Florida in July 2007. His short play, Stormy, won Theatre Odyssey’s 2009 short play festival. The first scene of Barbie was produced as part of Theatre Odyssey’s 2010 short play festival.

Discussion Series
Main Street is pleased to continue its Post-Show Discussion Series. Following the performance on Saturday, May 14, playwright Walton Beacham, director Cheryl L. Kaplan, and the cast will engage in a talkback with the audience. There is no extra charge to attend.

About the Production
Cheryl L. Kaplan directs I Am Barbie after directing last season’s world premiere of Driftwood. Ivy Castle-Rush (Arcadia) is Barbie; Justin O’Brien (Breakfast at Eight) plays Ken and G.I. Joe. Celeste Roberts (Master Class) is Barbie’s creator and “mother”, Ruth, and Seán Patrick Judge (This) plays Barbie’s engineer, Jack. Jennifer Dean (Driftwood) plays She-Ra, among other characters. Sarah Beth Roberts (Afternoon of the Elves) plays Skipper and others. The design team includes Jodi Bobrovsky (set and properties design), Macy Perrone (costume design), Carrie Cavins (lighting design), and Janel J. Badrina (sound design). Janel J. Badrina is also the production stage manager.

Pictured are Ken (Justin O’Brien) and Barbie (Ivy Castle-Rush). (Photos by www.RicOrnelProductions.com)

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Main Street Theater - Rice Village

2540 Times Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005

Full map and directions

Tickets:

Tickets range from $24 - $30, depending on date and section. The preview performance is $10. Opening night is a benefit performance for MST, and tickets are $75.

Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office, 2540 Times Blvd., via phone at 713.524.6706, or online at MainStreetTheater.com.

Times:

Running May 13 – May 29, 2011 (Preview May 12)
Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sundays at 3:00pm

Discussion Series
Main Street is pleased to continue its Post-Show Discussion Series. Following the performance on Saturday, May 14, playwright Walton Beacham, director Cheryl L. Kaplan, and the cast will engage in a talkback with the audience. There is no extra charge to attend.

Phone: (713) 524-6706

Parking: Parking in the Village can be difficult, especially for Sunday Matinees. MST recommends that you arrive at least 20 minutes early to allow time to park and get to the theater. Remember, there is no late seating once the show starts.

Limited off street parking is available directly in front of the Rice Village Theater, and there is street parking all through out the village. Parallel parking can also be found on the east side of Kirby.

When the weather is nice, you might chose to park in the Village parking garage. The closest entrance can be found at Kelvin and Amherst, one block east and one block south of the Theater. There may be a nominal fee, but parking is free should you choose to dine at one of the Village Arcade eateries before the show.

We do ask that you be respectful of our neighbors and not park in any off street parking that is in front of open businesses. What's more, because of the nature of Village parking, many businesses will enforce towing.

The best way to beat the parking blues is to come early, find a convenient place near the theater and walk to a Village eatery for dinner or brunch!

From Southwest Houston (Sugar Land Area)
Take 59 North, pass the 610 Loop, and exit Kirby (just after The Compaq Center). Turn right onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

From North Houston (The Woodlands/Downtown)
Take 45 South to 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

From Southeast Houston (Clear Lake/Galveston)
Take 45 North to 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

From I-10 coming from the West (Katy)
Take 610 Loop South to 59 North and exit Kirby (just after The Compaq Center). Turn right onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

From I-10 coming from the East (Beaumont)
Take 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

From Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market
Turn left onto Montrose. Make a right on Bissonnet. Pass Shepard and Greenbriar. Turn left onto Kirby. Pass Sunset Blvd. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).