Beowulf Alley Theatre Presents Readers Theatre in May
Fronting the Order by Warren Bodow
Beowulf Alley Theatre will present a staged reading of Warren G. Bodow’s play, Fronting the Order on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Admission is by donation. Beowulf Alley Theatre is located at 11 South 6th Avenue (downtown between Broadway and Congress). For more information, please refer to the website, www.beowulfalley.org or call the theatre at (520) 882-0555.
It’s the summer of 1959 and the Eisenhower era is drawing to a close. The U.S. is feeling the sting of space dominance when the Russians launch Sputnik and Americans are determined to take back world leadership. The solution? Education, say many: better schools, bigger libraries, education in the home will ensure that we regain leadership in everything! So on a rainy August Friday afternoon, a crew of four encyclopedia salesman set about the task to sell knowledge to the families of our future leaders.
As we witness the humorous and bombastic interplay of the four salesmen, we feel the underlying tensions festering in late-50s America. We witness how the men represent their wares to their prospects. Even as we laugh, our sense of right and wrong is buffeted as the play forces us to consider whether deception must always be negative, or in the service of a greater good, it is simply a handy tool.
Warren G. Bodow, formerly President of New York classical radio station, WQXR (recently sold by The New York Times to WNYC and Univision Radio), is a self-proclaimed “second act” playwright. Since 2005, he and his wife Ellen have been part-time Tucson residents. Last fall, his full-length play, Race Music, presented as a staged reading at Beowulf Alley’s Reader’s Theater in 2009 was produced by Diverse City Theater Company in New York City. Mr. Bodow’s three short plays about Valentine’s Day were the February 2009 offerings for Beowulf Alley’s Out to Lunch Theater. His full-length play, Harry the Hunk on His Way Out, was presented as a staged reading at Beowulf Alley prior to its New York Equity Showcase run at The Cherry Lane Theatre in October 2007. Mr. Bodow is a member of Tucson’s Old Pueblo Playwrights and has served on the Boards of the New York State Broadcasters Association and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
Reader’s Theatre at Beowulf Alley, RT@the Alley, is a project to give Tucson Metropolitan area playwrights an opportunity for the public to hear the words of a finished play that has been thoroughly vetted and thoughtfully crafted based upon a critique process and following guidelines on our website at http://www.beowulfalley.org/html/playwrights_submissions.html
The community is invited to become involved as volunteer readers to read characters and assist with this monthly event. The ability to read dramatically is necessary. We also invite members of the community to join the committee to read and comment of plays under selection consideration and to assist with front of house and concessions on the nights of the readings.
Participation is limited to those who have their own local housing and transportation and can be available at pre-arranged time. Questions and inquiries regarding participation in the Reader’s Theatre project may be made via e-mail at theatre@beowulfalley.org. Script submissions are ongoing and may be mailed (please do not e-mail) to:
Beowulf Alley Theatre Company
Reader’s Theatre Program
11 S. 6th Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85701
