ALLEY THEATRE
www.alleytheatre.org
The Alley Theatre Announces a Season of
Extraordinary Characters!
2003 - 2004 Season
HOUSTON, Texas-The world's most famous detective. A three-card-monte dealer and his sideshow performer brother. A
mathematics genius. A faith healer who may or may not possess actual power. Half a dozen of Shakespeare's loveliest
creations. And a cast of all-singing, all-dancing Roman comedians. These are a sampling of the extraordinary characters that
make up the Alley Theatre's upcoming 2003-2004 season, beginning in October. The lineup - the 57th in the Alley's history -
features roles infused with intellect and emotion. From the one-man tour de force of Fully Committed to more than 20
hilarious characters in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the plays of the 03-04 season offer a wonderfully
rich spectrum of individuals for audiences to encounter. Without a doubt, this is a season that the Alley Resident Company of
Actors can sink their teeth into.
"Live theatre is where we best encounter those extraordinary characters that engage, entertain, amuse and challenge us. And
the new season at the Alley is overflowing with some of the most original and brilliantly comic creations ever imagined. I chose
these plays to fully complement the Alley's remarkable resident company and to create the most fun-filled, intriguing and
wide-ranging repertoire we have explored," said Artistic Director Gregory Boyd.
This season the Alley will officially begin referring to its 824-seat stage as the Patricia Peckinpaugh Hubbard Stage, named in
honor of the long-time Alley supporter and board member upon a $5 million gift from the Brown Foundation to the Alley's
Staging the Future Campaign. Also taking a leading role in support of the Alley, Stanford Financial Group will serve as the
2003-2004 season sponsor - the sixth consecutive year the company has made a significant commitment to the Alley.
-0-0-0-0-0-
The Alley Theatre's 2003-2004 Season
By Arthur Conan Doyle and William Gillette
Directed by Gregory Boyd
Hubbard Stage
October 10 - November 2 (press opening October 15)
The Alley Resident Company of Actors is featured in a lavish, exciting and rarely performed American classic. The only stage
version of the adventures of the famous detective authorized by his creator, Sherlock Holmes was first produced in 1899 as a
vehicle for American actor-playwright William Gillette, who played the part for 30 years, and influenced the development of
the character for generations. This thrilling, romantic adventure pits Holmes and Dr. Watson against their greatest adversary,
the cunning Professor Moriarty. Alley Resident Company Actors Todd Waite and James Black face off as the detective and
his nemesis, with Alley Resident Company Actors John Tyson, Elizabeth Heflin, Charles Krohn, Jeffrey Bean, and James
Belcher included in the large cast. Designed by Jekyll & Hyde designer Vince Mountain, whose evocative Victorian settings
range from Baker Street to Moriarty's underground lair and the Stepney Gas Chamber to the fog-bound streets of London's
east end.
Appropriate for all ages.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Fully Committed
By Becky Mode
Neuhaus Stage
October 17 - November 16 (press opening October 22)
Finally! A play about restaurant culture for a city that loves restaurants! This devastatingly funny Off Broadway comedy hit
follows a day in the life of an out-of-work actor who answers the red-hot reservation line at Manhattan's number-one
restaurant. A cast of desperate callers will stop at nothing - coercion, threats, bribes, hysterics - in their zeal to land a prime
reservation, or the right table.
Jamison Stern - who has appeared in a number of productions at the Alley including The Invention of Love, A Flea in Her
Ear, As Bees in Honey Drown and as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors - plays Sam in this national sensation that was
named one of the top 10 plays of 2000 by TIME Magazine. Robert Hurwitt of the San Francisco Examiner wrote, "A
heartwarming tale with a pleasantly cynical edge that complements the hearty servings of sophisticated satire. No matter what
you've had for dinner, you couldn't ask for a more satisfying dessert."
-0-0-0-0-0-
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story
of Christmas
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Stephen Rayne
Hubbard Stage
November 28 - December 28 (press opening November 29)
A holiday production unlike any other, the Alley's version of Dickens' popular A Christmas Carol takes a ghostly turn when
three spirits visit greedy old Ebenezer Scrooge on the eve of Christmas Day. Through encounters with characters from his
past, present, and possible future, Scrooge learns what ill fate lies in store for him should he continue on his heartless course.
An unforgettable tale and an amazing journey for audiences of all ages, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas
never fails to remind of the power of redemption and, like the glee that overtakes Scrooge in the play's final joyous moments,
overwhelms us with warm sentiments of the holiday season. This production is sponsored by ConocoPhillips, Cooper
Industries and Lyondell Chemical Company.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Proof
By David Auburn
Directed by Alley Theatre Resident Company Actor James Black
Hubbard Stage
January 9 - February 1 (press opening January 14), 2004
An enigmatic young woman, haunted by her late father - a mathematician of genius - struggles with the implications of a
mysterious notebook containing a mathematical proof of major impact. A mystery, a love story, an offbeat romantic comedy,
and an engaging treat for the intellect, the spirit and the heart, the play received both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best
Play in 2001. Proof is filled with revealing truths, brilliant surprises and unexpected laughter. Alley Theatre Resident Company
Actors John Tyson and Elizabeth Heflin share the stage in one of the most intriguing new American plays in a very long time.
Following the Alley run, Fort Worth's Casa Mañana will present the Alley's production of Proof.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Topdog/Underdog
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble Member Amy Morton
Neuhaus Stage
January 16 - February 15 (press opening January 21), 2004
This play contains mature subject matter
Lincoln and Booth are brothers, named by their father as a joke. Lincoln sits in an arcade all day, dressed as his presidential
namesake and is assassinated over and over. His brother, Booth, sits in their run-down apartment, practicing to be a great
three-card Monte hustler, as Lincoln was in his youth. Suzan-Lori Parks' 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is a sharp, poetic
look at the endgame between two brothers in America. Featuring Alley Theatre Resident Company Actor and Steppenwolf
ensemble member K. Todd Freeman and Alley Resident Company Actor David Rainey in a co-production with Steppenwolf
Theatre.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Gregory Boyd
Hubbard Stage
February 20 - March 14 (press opening February 25), 2004
Shakespeare's romantic comedy of gender confusion, mistaken identities, misdirected passions and high comedy boasts some
of his most memorable characters and engaging storytelling. Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and many of the Alley Resident
Company of Actors - James Black, Elizabeth Heflin, John Tyson, Todd Waite, James Belcher, Paul Hope, Jeffrey Bean and
Annalee Jefferies, among others - revisit Shakespeare following the recent popularity of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream
and The Comedy of Errors.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Our Lady of 121st Street
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
Neuhaus Stage
March 19 - April 18 (press opening March 24), 2004
When a group of former schoolmates gather to attend the funeral of the beloved Sister Rose, they learn that her body has
been stolen. As they wait for the outcome of this sordid crime, the vibrant characters unearth memories, seek forgiveness, and
re-forge splintering relationships. Their fiery yet subtle interactions form the heart of this stirring dark comedy by one of
American theatre's most celebrated up-and-coming playwrights
-0-0-0-0-0-
Life x 3
By Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton
Hubbard Stage
April 2 - April 25 (press opening April 7), 2004
Henry and Sonia have finally put their son to bed when a knock at the door throws them into disarray. Henry's boss Hubert
and his wife have arrived a day early for a dinner party - an important dinner party that Henry had carefully planned to impress
Hubert. As the evening disintegrates, the play takes us through the same scenario three different times, with the noncompliant
tot, nothing to eat but Cheez-its and Chocolate Fingers, and several bottles of wine all playing a part. Life x 3 was a comedy
hit in London in 2000 and New York earlier this year.
-0-0-0-0-0-
A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, adapted from the plays of Plautus
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Gregory Boyd
Hubbard Stage
May 14 - June 6 (press opening May 19), 2004
Stephen Sondheim's Broadway triumph was the first for which he contributed the score (music and lyrics) after his astounding
successes as lyricist for Gypsy and West Side Story. Co-written by Larry Gelbart (MASH, Tootsie), A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum remains today, arguably the funniest musical comedy ever. And now Forum achieves
another distinction, becoming the first full-fledged Broadway musical comedy undertaken by the Alley Resident Company of
Actors. They appear as they have never appeared before in a topsy-turvy plot drawn from the great comedies of Plautus
involving romance, deception, temptation, mistaken identity, and an almost human sacrifice. All this, and singing and dancing
too.
* * *
ALLEY IN THE COMMUNITY
The Alley also continues its involvement in the community by offering a number of
programs - many of them FREE of charge - to the public:
AUDIO DESCRIPTION AND CAPTIONING
The Alley offers open-captioned and audio described performances. Please visit www.alleytheatre.org or call 713/228-8421
for more information.
BARBARA JORDAN PROJECT
The Alley celebrates the fourth year of this citywide initiative to instill confidence and courage in public speaking among middle
school age students. The Barbara Jordan Project - inspired by the legendary Houston native - includes teacher training in a
public speaking curriculum for middle schools, a speech competition for middle school-age students, and an essay contest for
all Houston-area seventh graders in Ms. Jordan's honor. For more information, call 713/228-9341 ext. 424.
BETWEEN THE LINES
The Alley offers free seminars for educators, who attend panel discussions about the production, have lunch and go to a
Saturday matinee performance. The series is free but registration is required. For more information and to sign up, visit
www.alleytheatre.org.
HYPE - HOUSTON YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS EXCHANGE
Late summer brings the return of the Alley's Houston Young Playwrights Exchange, better known as HYPE. Hear the words
of these teenage writers in a public showcase at the Alley Theatre August 8 and 9. For more information, call 713/220-5700
ext. 425. HYPE is sponsored by J. Walter Thompson with additional support from the Writer's League of Texas through the
Texas Commission on the Arts.
LIVING HISTORY SERIES
The 2003-2004 season includes the return to local schools of the Alley's Living History Series, which includes three
productions: John & Juan, a bilingual production about the shared history of Mexico and Texas (touring in May in honor of
Cinco de Mayo), Barbara Jordan: Texas Treasure, a play about the life of the distinguished Texas Congresswoman and
legendary orator (touring in February for Black History Month), and Prather's Poety Jam, a rapping and rhyming play touring
during the month of April for national poetry month. The public will have an opportunity to see these productions for only $5
per ticket at the Alley. Dates and performance times will be announced at a later date. To arrange for a production to visit
your school, call 713/228-9341 ext. 424.
THE MARGARETT ROOT BROWN HOUSTON READING SERIES
Continuing a relationship with Inprint and the University of Houston Creative Writing Program that began three seasons ago,
the Alley is the home to the Margarett Root Brown Houston Reading Series featuring six readings with some of the world's
leading writers. Each reading is followed by an on-stage interview with the writer, an audience question/answer session and a
book sale and signing. Seating is $5 general admission at the door; students and seniors are free of charge. For tickets, call the
Alley Box Office at 713/228-8421; for more information visit www.inprint-inc.org.
PAY WHAT YOU CAN
The Alley Theatre continues its efforts to make the theatre accessible to patrons who may not otherwise be able to attend
performances for financial reasons by offering Pay-What-You-Can performances of its Hubbard Stage productions.
(Pay-What-You-Can prices are available for select seats, limited two per person - cash or check only - with a $2 minimum
for each ticket. Pay-What-You-Can tickets are available in-person, the day of the performance only.
SPANISH TRANSLATIONS
Spanish-speaking guests are able to enjoy Alley productions thanks to two Spanish-speaking actors - translating dialogue in
real time - and personal headsets. Availability is limited. Ticket holders should call the box office at 713/228-8421 for
schedule details and headset reservations.
THEATREHIGH
The Alley's teen drama program, TheatreHigh, is a free weekly workshop for young thespians between the ages of 15-18.
Held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the Alley, the sessions focus on all aspects of the creation of theatre. Interested high school
students should call 713/220-5700 ext. 425.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COLLABORATION
Alley staff and artists will lead an advanced course about the creation of productions and theatre management. Led by Alley
Associate Director of Design Kevin Rigdon, "Applied Theatre: Alley Theatre in Production" will be offered during the spring
semester only. For more information, visit www.uh.edu.
AUDIENCE PROGRAMS
TUESDAY TALKBACKS
Alley patrons are invited to attend post-show Tuesday TalkBacks with the cast and members of the artistic staff every
Tuesday after the opening date. These question-and-answer sessions are held immediately after the evening performance.
Specially scheduled TalkBacks on nights other than the first Tuesday are arranged for select productions.
INFORMANCES
For select performances, the Alley's artistic staff leads Informances, or pre-show presentations, offering extensive background
information to the audience about the play they are about to see.
PLATFORM EVENTS
The Alley hosts special onstage conversations with visiting artists, playwrights and authors. Guests are invited to hear
anecdotes and gain insight into the minds of some of today's leading theatre professionals. Information about these special
engagements may be found on www.alleytheatre.org.
TICKET INFORMATION
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Season subscriptions start as low as $98 and may be purchased by calling 713/228-8421, or in person at the Alley Theatre
Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue.
1ST ACT
Now in its fourth season, this innovative program is especially designed for young professionals and arts enthusiasts in the 22
to 40 age range. "1st act" membership includes tickets to all three productions on the Neuhaus Stage, along with invitations to
pre- or post-performance parties, special networking events and opportunities to mingle with Alley artists. For more
information on how to become a "1st act" member, contact Beverly Randall at 713/228-9341 ext. 398 or visit
www.alleytheatre.org.
SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT: A FAMILY NIGHT OUT
"Saturday Spotlight: A Family Night Out" is a subscription package hinged around creative drama workshops for children
ages six to 10. While parents are watching a production on the Alley Theatre's Hubbard Stage, children are participating in
theatre games and active exercises that emphasize teamwork and creativity, while also learning the elements of making a play.
Led by the Alley's education department, the sessions present an opportunity for parents and their children to visit the Alley
Theatre together, yet experience it in ways that are unique to them. "Saturday Spotlight" is also available to single ticket
buyers. For more information, call the Alley Box Office at 713/228-8421.
PRE-SHOW MIXERS
The Alley hosts a pre-show Wednesday mixer for each of its five Hubbard Stage productions. The mixers - held at a variety
of downtown restaurants - encourage like-minded theatregoers to meet each other and enjoy an Alley production. For more
information, contact Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee at 713/228-9341 ext 399.
SINGLE TICKETS
Single tickets to productions in the 03-04 season go on sale August 15, 2003. All single tickets will be available online at
www.alleytheatre.org., by phone at 713/228-8421 or in person at the Alley Box Office at 615 Texas Avenue. Single tickets
range in price from $20 - $52.
GROUP TICKETS
Groups of 10 persons or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of up to 40% per ticket by calling the group sales
department at 713/228-9341, ext. 346.
All plays are subject to change.