From ACTORS COLLABORATIVE TOLEDO
Actors Collaborative Toledo and The Village Players Theatre collaborate to present a duo of area premieres in July on The Village Players stage. “Ben Hur” by Patrick Barlow will be performed on July 22-24 and “Rocket Man” by Steven Dietz will be performed on July 29-31.
“Ben Hur” is based on one of the timeless stories of one of the best-selling books of the nineteenth century, this stage adaptation comically condenses the epic tale so that it can be told by just four actors. Directed by Irina Zaurov and featuring Lane Hakel, Eric Huffman, Joshua Keidan, and Aimee Reid. The story follows an amateur theatre troupe as they produce the massive tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hur. Complete with chariot race, sea battle, and stage combat, Patrick Barlow weaves his compressed style popularized by “The 39 Steps” into one of the largest stories ever told.
“Rocket Man” is a serious comedy about the road not taken. Donny Rowan has placed everything he owns on his front lawn. Along with a sign that reads: “Here’s my life. Make an offer.” He has placed his E-Z Boy recliner in his attic underneath a skylight—where he can sit, staring at the stars. Somewhere in the universe, he believes, is a place where all the roads we never chose converge.
“Rocket Man” explores one man’s obsessive desire to find this “parallel world”—and the profound effect of his decision on his family and friends. “Rocket Man” is directed by Dave Nelms and features Heath Huber as Donny. The cast also includes Jeffrey Albright, Aubrey Hess, Jennifer Lake, and Marissa Rex.
Both shows will be performed on the Village Players Theatre located at 2740 Upton Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43606. Show times for “Ben Hur” are July 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and July 24 at 2 p.m.
Show times for “Rocket Man” are July 29 and 30 at 8p.m. and July 31 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for both shows can be purchased in advance at www.act419.org.
