This press release just in from Georgia Ensemble Theatre…

ROSWELL (May, 2010) – Artistic Director Robert J. Farley has announced the Georgia Ensemble Theatre & Conservatory’s 2010-2011 schedule of plays, the 18^th season for the north metro Atlanta professional theatre.  The season represents a variety of comedy, drama and music, and includes a world premiere. Information on Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s extensive programming may be found on the Theatre’s website at www.get.org, or by calling 770-641-1260.

The Plays

September 2-19, 2010

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

Comedy

Written by Tom Griffin

Directed by Tess Malis Kincaid

This touching and funny play focuses on four adult men living in a group home, along with their caring but overworked counselor.  Mingled with scenes from their daily lives, where “little things” sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy.  We are reminded that those with special needs, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find meaning in their lives.

November 4-21, 2010

THE 25^TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Musical Comedy

Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Directed by Alan Kilpatrick

A quirky group of six adolescent outsiders vie for the spelling championship of all time, under the tutelage of three equally quirky grownups.  This hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst shows these unlikely heroes learn that winning isn’t everything, and losing doesn’t make you a loser.  This Tony Award-winning musical debuted on Broadway in 2005.  Who knows? … you just might be invited on stage to compete in The Bee yourself!

January 6-23, 2011

TOKENS OF AFFECTION

Romantic Comedy – World Premiere

Written and Directed by Topher Payne

This brand new romantic comedy from Atlanta playwright Topher Payne explores “empty nesting,” the complications of romance and family dysfunction. What is a husband to do when his wife of 37 years announces she’s leaving?  Both seek solace at the homes of their grown children, to panicked and hilarious results.

February 24-March 13, 2011

INHERIT THE WIND

Drama

Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee

Directed by Robert J. Farley

Georgia Ensemble Theatre proudly presents one of the greatest epic plays of the 20^th Century, based on the famed “Scopes Monkey Trial.”  Inherit the Wind is not about science versus religion.  It is about the right to think, and is a true celebration of the American spirit.  This drama peers deep into the heart and soul of America in the search for enduring faith and hope.

April 7-24, 2011

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY

Greatest Hits: Volume One

Musical Comedy Revue

Created and Written by Gerard Alessandrini

Directed by Don Farrell

Don’t miss our salute to the great American musical with this hilarious musical send-up.  The Off-Broadway sensation, Forbidden Broadway, has performed in New York with updated versions over the course of almost 30 years. Georgia Ensemble Theatre is proud to bring you the latest!  You’ll love this funny and endlessly entertaining tribute to some of Broadway’s greatest legends, actors and shows that will delight the theatre buff in all of us.

Theatre for Youth

In addition to the mainstage subscription series, Georgia Ensemble Theatre will also present two productions for young people through school performances: Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary in November of 2010, and the powerful multi-media Holocaust drama And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank by James Still in Winter/Spring of 2011. These productions are available for school and group bookings by contacting the Theatre’s Education Department at 770-641-1260, x232.

About Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic Director:

Robert J. Farley, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Georgia Ensemble Theatre, is marking his 42^nd year in the theatre as a Stage Director and Artistic Director.  In June of 2008 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pasadena Playhouse in California for his significant contributions to the enrichment of the American theatre.  Early in his career, Bob staged five productions of the rock musical Hair that performed to over two and a half million theatre-goers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  He was the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Alaska Repertory Theatre in the 1970’s, and was Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre Company here in Atlanta in the late 1980’s where he directed the record-breaking production of Driving Miss Daisy that toured to both Russia and China.  In 1992, he co-founded Georgia Ensemble Theatre with his partner Anita Allen-Farley.  Directing highlights at Georgia Ensemble Theatre have included productions of Arsenic and Old Lace, Great Expectations, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, Our Town, Southern Comforts and Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story.

About Georgia Ensemble Theatre:

Now approaching its 18^th year, Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory produces a mainstage season of five plays annually as well as one Theatre for Youth production, and a tour of the powerful Holocaust multi-media play And Then They Came for Me: Remembering  the World of Anne Frank for middle and high schools.  The Theatre’s Conservatory provides quality theatre education classes for youth and adults, avocational and professional actors.  The Theatre also includes extensive outreach efforts in its programming for seniors, under-served youth, partner schools, and other non-profit organizations.  GET is fortunate to count many corporate partners among its long-time supporters, including Bank of North Georgia, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Northside Hospital, Macy’s and Publix. The Theatre has more than 2500 season subscribers, which includes more than 400 Tenure Club members (those who have subscribed to the Theatre for 10 consecutive years or more).

Performances and Tickets for the 2010-2011 Season:

All GET mainstage performances will be at the Theatre’s home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell, GA  30075.  Performances are on Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm; with two Saturday 4pm matinees per production.  Early Bird pricing is available through June 6^th, with prices ranging from $100 to $140 for all five productions.  Senior and student discounts are also available for Wednesday evening and all matinee performance series.  For further information, visit our website at www.get.org.  Season tickets may be purchased by calling 770-641-1260.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre is the Official Resident Professional Theatre Company at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.