New kids on the block
Rogue Planet
Artistic staff: Montica Pes, Jen Apgar, David Crowe
Prior productions: Last spring's hip-hop take on Measure 4 Measure at the Art Farm, 835 Wylie St.
Coming up: Acclaimed dirty-talk drama Closer by Patrick Marber, directed by Montica Pes, featuring Jen Apgar, Stacy Melich, Jayzon Smith and David Kronawitter. Sept. 20-Oct. 14 at Art Farm. Call 404-627-6160.
Statement of Intent: "We believe passion for the work is paramount. Releasing ourselves from a prescribed orbit, we obliterate our limitations, expand all expectations and explode with a visceral body of work illuminated by Atlanta's theater artists. Expect the unexpected."
Histrionics: The Family Theatre
Artistic staff: Stephen R. Sisson, Wil Ennis
Coming up: Landmark 1968 gay play The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley, directed by Stephen R. Sisson, featuring Sisson, Wil Ennis, Michael Malone, Dave Lucas and others. July 6-Aug. 31 at the Art Farm, 835 Wylie St. Call 404-762-1533.
Statement of intent: "This particular take is a little lighter, more tongue-in-cheek approach to The Boys in the Band, its bitchy dialogue and its dark themes. We knew we had to make some adjustments to the original script before we served it up to the Atlanta community. What could possibly be more outrageous than a red, white and blue gay birthday party set in Atlanta on the eve of July 4, the Bicentennial year?"
Out of Hand Theater
Artistic staff: Maia Knispel, Ariel de Man, Brian Kimmel, Allan Read
Coming up: The "tragic farce" Les Parents Terribles (Indiscretions) by Jean Cocteau, directed by Ariel de Man. Aug. 24-Sept. 16 at 7 Stages Back Stage Theater. Naomi Wallace's Standard Time planned for October. Call 404-522-6176 or visit www.outofhandtheater.com.
Statement of intent: "Out of Hand Theater is an ensemble of artists committed to creating theater as an event. At this event, the audience physically enters the world of the play. Through the creation of a sensory world we seek to illuminate the playwright's mad genius."
Actor's Theatre of Atlanta
Artistic staff: Jay Freer, Tom Beaulieu
Coming up: The summer-based theater offers Neil Simon's Chekhov homage The Good Doctor, directed by Freer, July 13-Aug. 19 and Lee Blessing's hostage drama Two Rooms, directed by Peter Bennett, July 27-Aug. 18, in repertory at Post Theater, Fuqua Center, Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road. Actors include Stuart Culpepper, Rhoda Griffis, Mary Lucy Bivins, Robert Duncan and Quint Von Canon. Call 404-556-2828
Statement of intent: "Actors Theatre of Atlanta (ATA) will serve the community of Atlanta and the Southeast by providing the type of theater experience that can only be created by a trained, experienced ensemble of actors and theater artists. Each production will be a unique jewel-box experience where the audience will feel they are part of something special, part of an adventure."
