[ This Just In! ]
For Immediate Release
Date: January 29, 2003
"Dream Team" Amassed for SVT Comedy Premiere
AUSTIN, TX--Salvage Vanguard Theater has amassed one of its most talented teams ever for the world premiere of Lisa D'Amour's new comedy 16 Spells to Charm the Beast.
Salvage Vanguard Theater introduced Austin to the work of Lisa D'Amour in 1995 with Black Velvet Bernhardt, D'Amour's first professional production. Since that time, Lisa D'Amour has had numerous productions of her work seen in Austin and around the country. A graduate of the Univesity of Texas Graduate Playwriting Program, D'Amour is a former Jerome Fellow and a current McKnight Fellow.
"I am thrilled to be returning to Salvage Vanguard to work on 16 Spells." says D'Amour. "Deanna Shoemaker and this amazing cast and crew are a dream team -- I am constantly amazing at the way they manage to energize and illuminate my script. Lucky me, to be able to return to Austin, home of visionary artists who aren't afraid to laugh!"
Deanna Shoemaker, the director, is a paid Resident Company Member with Salvage Vangaurd Theater. Her past directing work has been nominated for numerous awards. Shoemaker has assisted on and acted in several Salvage Vanguard productions. 16 Spells to Charm the Beast marks her directing debut with the company.
"I fell in love with Lisa's play because of its sumptuous language, crystal sharp style, otherworldly magic spells, and lush emotional core," says Shoemaker. "The cast for this play is my personal dream team!"
The actors in the show are all local award winners. Lana Dieterich and David Jones star as Lillian Davis and the Beast. Monika Bustamante, Cyndi Williams, and Harvey Guion make up the supporting cast. The sets are by Ann Marie Gordon (Scavengers), lights by Diana Duecker (MotherBone), music by Golden Arm Trio (MotherBone), and sound by Buzz Moran (The Intergalactic Nemesis).
"This is the first show we've done in five years that I haven't directed," says company Artistic Director Jason Neulander. "I couldn't be happier with the team or with the progress in rehearsal. Plus, it's a comedy for goodness sake! How often do we do that?"
No often. Salvage Vanguard's last production of a comedy was Karen Cronacher's Scavengers in 1997. That production sold out its entire run.
16 Spells to Charm the Beast, a terribly unusual love story by Lisa D'Amour. Directed by Deanna Shoemaker. With Lana Dieterich, David Jones, Cyndi Williams, Monika Bustamante, and Harvey Guion. Thursdays through Saturdays, February 21 through March 8. One Sunday performance March 2. All performances at 8:00 PM at the Off Center (2211-A Hidalgo St). $6-15. For tickets and information: (512) 474-SVT-6; http://www.salvagevanguard.org
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