mnartists.org: No Manifesto Theater Company

Down the Road by Lee Blessing

No Manifesto Theater Company — Fri, 10 Oct 2003 15:42:55 GMT

Down the Road centers on convicted serial killer, Bill Reach, and Dan and Iris Henniman, the husband and wife writing team helping him write an account of his crimes. Reach has admitted to the murders of 19 women, but there may have been more. Over many weeks of interviews, Dan and Iris grow increasingly uncertain of the ethics of their work. Are they simply documenting history, or are they catering to a society hungry for the grotesque- feeding them rape, murder, and mutilation? Are they, in fact, helping to turn Bill Reach into a celebrity?

Long Ago & Far Away

No Manifesto Theater Company — Thu, 29 May 2003 15:59:37 GMT

Standing at the threshold of change, a young couple weighs the realities and excitement of moving ahead against lingering in the warmth of good times and the emotions of the past. In a sudden twist of fate, the past swells into the present, memories merge and the membrane of reality is shown to bear no more weight than a wall of musical notes, the plaintive strains of Long Ago and Far Away. No Manifesto Theater Company shows off its range with this surprising work by David Ives. Known for his short comedies, with Long Ago and Far Away Ives writes with great depth and truth, showing that he is equally adept at dramatic playwriting. "The honesty of the writing is what first drew me to this play," says Artistic Director Sarah Kesher. "It is an unexpected show, with an unexpected ending that I believe will leave the audience thinking deeply for days following the performance." Matching Ives' playwriting talent flawlessly with the skilled acting and directing talent of their core company, No Manifesto Theater Company delivers a strong, ambient, and thought-provoking performance; A story for those who have come to distrust the fuzzy memories of the "good times" and the vague promises of "better days" to come. Sunday, August 3 7:00 pm Monday, August 4 10:00 pm Wednesday, August 6 8:30 pm Friday, August 8 2:30 pm Saturday, August 9 4:00 pm Pillsbury House Theater 3501 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis Tickets: $10 (passes and other discounts available) Order tickets online at uptowntix.com or call 612-604-4466

Much Ado About Nothing

No Manifesto Theater Company — Mon, 03 Feb 2003 22:22:18 GMT

Boy meets girl, boy gives girl letter jacket, girl dies - and this is Shakespeare? Widely recognized as a center of high drama, a modern high school is a fitting background for Shakespeare's tale of confused love, raw emotion, and racing hormones. No Manifesto Theater Company, under the artistic direction of Sarah Kesher and Forrest Brandt, brings this version of Much Ado About Nothing to the stage for the second time, having played to sold out audiences in 1999 with Theater Zoë of Minneapolis. The updated and familiar setting makes Shakespeare's language accessible to the Shakespeare weary as well as to teenagers who might see some of their daily lives reflected in a story from nearly 400 years ago.