New play by Allison Moore takes a funny look
at the crumbling structures of lives
Know Theatre is pleased to announce COLLAPSE by Allison Moore which as our next production of the 2011-2012 Season. The production will be directed by former Artistic Director of Know Theatre Jason Bruffy, with scenic and lighting design by Andrew Hungerford, costume design by Noelle Wedig, and sound design by Doug Borntrager. The production will show February 4 – March 3, 2012.
In 2007, the Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring another 145. Hannah’s husband David was driving one of the cars that went off the bridge. He’s suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but refuses to attend a support group. Hannah’s life is falling apart. She can’t get pregnant, she’s one step away from losing her job, and she thinks her husband, who hasn’t been to work for months, may be an alcoholic. All he does is sit around the house, watering the plants with beer. When her flaky sister, Susan arrives from California for an open-ended stay Hannah seems ready to unravel for good. Collapse is an uncomfortably funny exploration of the crumbling structures that undergird our bridges, our economy, and our most intimate relationships.
“I’m excited to be able to produce this brand new show right at the tail end of its rolling world premiere through the National New Play Network. Ms. Moore has created a script that is both humorous and tragic. It shines a light on people dealing with a unique tragedy, but shines a light on how all of us deal with adversity and fear we all face in daily life,” says Eric Vosmeier, Producing Artistic Director. “I’m delighted to have Jason Bruffy back in town to direct and I look forward to having Torie on stage again following her Know debut during Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party.”
COLLAPSE premiered at the Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, CA and was developed as part of Aurora’s Global Age project in February 2011. Collapse is currently a part of the National New Play Network rolling world premiere collaboration with Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, Curious Theatre in Denver, and Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas.
“Most of my work plays with tone in some kind of way,” says Allison Moore. “This particular one is a comedy of anxiety. That seems to me to be an honest way to deal with very difficult topics, in a hopefully engaging way. There’s a whole lot of denial, which is funny, because there’s a lot of humor in watching people vehemently deny anything is wrong,” Moore said.
This season, tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the week of the performance (beginning Mondays at noon). Season subscription five-show flexible passes are available for $75 and guarantees the advance ticket price all season long. Tickets can be purchased by visiting knowtheatre.com or by calling the box office at 513.300.KNOW (5669)
Cast
Hannah – Annie Fitzpatrick*
David – TBA
Susan – Torie Wiggins
Ted – TBA
*Member of Actors Equity Association
Production Team
Director – Jason Bruffy
Scenic & Lighting Design – Andrew Hungerford
Costume Design – Noelle Wedig
Sound Design – Doug Borntrager
Production Dates
8pm: February 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, March 1, 2, 3
3pm: February 25
Additional Information
Allison Moore (Playwright): Allison Moore is a displaced Texan based in Minneapolis. Her play, Slasher, premiered at the 2009 Humana Festival and has been produced at theaters around the country. Other plays include: My Antonia (2010 Illusion Theater), End Times (Kitchen Dog Theater), American Klepto (2006 Illusion Theater), Hazard County (2005 Humana Festival), Split (2005 Guthrie Theater commission), Urgent Fury (2003 Cherry Lane Mentor Project, Mentor: Marsha Norman), and Eighteen (2001 O’Neill Playwrights’ Conference). Her newest play, Collapse, will receive a rolling world premiere in 2011 at Aurora Theater (Berkeley), Curious Theater (Denver) and Kitchen Dog Theater (Dallas). She is a two-time Playwrights’ Center Jerome Fellow, two-time McKnight Fellow, and Bush Artists Fellow.
Jason Bruffy (Director) is a Director and Producer who has worked all over the country both regionally and in New York City. He has directed and produced over 50 productions to date. Off-Broadway companies include: Soho Repertory Theatre and Ensemble Studio Theatre. Regional companies include: Interact Theatre (PA), Orlando Shakespeare Theatre (FL), Florida Studio Theatre (FL), Salt Lake Acting Company (UT), Know Theatre of Cincinnati (OH), Cincinnati Opera (OH), Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (OH), and Wayside Theatre (VA). Jason has served as Resident Director of Ensemble Studio Theatre, Associate Producer of Soho Rep (Obie Award winning Born Bad), Associate Artist of Florida Studio Theatre and Artistic Director of Salt Lake Acting Company and Know Theatre of Cincinnati. He is also the founding producer of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. As an actor Jason has been featured in national commercials for Visa, Gillette, as well as numerous stage productions. Jason Bruffy has been recognized as Person of the Year in 2009 by Cincinnati CityBeat, as well as a Cincinnati’s Theatre Entrepreneur and Arts Risk Taker (Cincinnati Enquirer), Arts Innovator (Cincinnati CityBeat), Forty under 40 Business Leaders (Cincinnati Business Courier), and one of 40 people who shaped Cincinnati in 40 years by Cincinnati Magazine. Jason Bruffy is a proud Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SSDC). http://www.jasonbruffy.com
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