Invisible Theatre News

CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION : UNIQUELY DIFFERENT "CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION" By Chuck Graham, Tucsonstage.com The mystery of communication is being explored quite inventively with Invisible Theatre's production of "Circle Mirror Transformation" by Annie Baker, directed here by Betsy Kruse Craig. The play won an Obie in 2010 for Best New American Play. To some extent, to fully enjoy "Circle Mirror Transformation" you have to be ready for something a little different. Be assured, however, the effort will be well worth it, because this play will also stick in your head on the way home. Each of us could be asking "How much different would my life be today if I had just spoken out that one time, so long ago?" The cast is excellent and well balanced. It's always fun to see McKasson back on stage, her eyes twinkling bright as ever. Henriksen, a veteran Los Angeles actor, makes an engaging Tucson debut. Petty, just starting her career upo...

Impressive Performances | Review | Tucson Weekly : Impressive Performances Invisible Theatre takes us inside an acting class by Sherilyn Forrester , Tucson Weekly Circle Mirror Transformation is a strange and intriguing play by Annie Baker. Under the direction of Betsy Kruse Craig, the Invisible Theatre offers us a solid rendering of the piece. (The title refers to another acting exercise.) The five actors who portray the students embody them with enough thoughtfulness and depth that we get to know enough about them to care for them. Molly McKasson (absent too long from Tucson stages), James Henriksen, Brian Wees, Carrie Hill and Lucille Petty are a fine ensemble. The production's design components are impressive. Special mention goes to sound designer Gail Fitzhugh, who realized that with so many scene changes, the music that leads us from one moment to another is really like another character. Fitzhugh has created this presence with just the right feel and effect. Read the ent...

Talent shines in play about acting | Invisible Theatre : Talent shines in play about acting “Circle Mirror Transformation” is billed as a comedy, but it's also a heady drama about the limits of self discovery Posted Nov 5, 2011, 10:15 am Dave Irwin TucsonSentinel.com Written by Annie Baker, “Circle Mirror Transformation” won the 2010 Obie Award for Best New American Play and made a number of lists for top ten plays of 2009. It’s refreshingly unorthodox structure and setting - a rural classroom of actors playing non-actors who want to be actors - provides a meta-analysis on the nature of acting itself. It’s pure post-modern, but with a hint of quaint. It must be said up front that portraying an amateur actor ironically requires considerable acting skill. Fortunately, this production has a balanced, talented cast that doesn’t overwhelm the intimate Invisible Theatre space. Director Betsy Kruse Craig keeps a subtle hand on the proceedings, letting the action simmer nervous...

Talent shines in play about acting “Circle Mirror Transformation” is billed as a comedy, but it's also a heady drama about the limits of self discovery Posted Nov 5, 2011, 10:15 am Dave Irwin TucsonSentinel.com In “Circle Mirror Transformation,” four small town wanna-be actors, eager to expand their horizons, start in a local community class with their instructor. Over six weeks, covered in 90 minutes of vignettes, they go through a series of enlightening and humiliating psychological exercises, guided by their teacher, Marty. Written by Annie Baker, “Circle Mirror Transformation” won the 2010 Obie Award for Best New American Play and made a number of lists for top ten plays of 2009. Fortunately, this production has a balanced, talented cast that doesn’t overwhelm the intimate Invisible Theatre space. Director Betsy Kruse Craig keeps a subtle hand on the proceedings, letting the action simmer nervously until it explodes. Photo: Tim Fuller The c...

'Circle Mirror': Life, after all, is an acting game Kathleen Allen Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Sunday, November 6, 2011 "Circle Mirror Transformation," a gentle, well-done comedy that Invisible Theatre opened Tuesday. All actors have got to start somewhere. And unfortunately for many of them, that's in a basic acting class. But this class exacts a transformation in these students as they go through the motions. Of course, any class led by the teacher Marty (Molly McKasson) is bound to have an impact. McKasson infuses her with passion, generosity and compassion, and it's hard to refuse Marty her goofy games. ...good things can come in small packages. This production is a case in point. TIM FULLER / COURTESY OF INVISIBLE THEATRE Clockwise from bottom are Molly McKasson, Brian Wees, Carrie Hill, Lucille Petty and James Henriksen in "Circle Mirror Transformation," a small play overflowing with improvisational acting exercises. It opened Tuesd...

Take a peek inside the actors' studio AZ Daily Star, "Circle Mirror Transformation" Preview: No need to be insider to enjoy play focusing on accepting yourself Take a peek inside the actors' studio The play takes place in an acting class at a small community center in Vermont. But don't let that scare you. "People may think you have to be an insider" to get it, says Betsy Kruse Craig, who is directing the Annie Baker play. "But it's so not about an acting class. It's about accepting who you are." It's sort of a motley crew that has signed up for the class: a high schooler who longs to play Maria in "West Side Story"; a man struggling to get over a divorce; an actress who never made it in New York; and the husband of the woman teaching the class (at the urging of his wife, no doubt). TIM FULLER / INVISIBLE THEATRE "Circle Mirror Transformation" stars Molly McKasson, center, and, clockwise from McKasson, Brian Wees...

'In the Mood' romance, laughter and fun By Regina Ford Green Valley News Thursday, September 15, 2011 Nothing lifts the spirit more (and doesn’t induce a hangover) than escaping with a bit of comic relief. That’s exactly what Invisible Theatre offers with its current stage production of “In the Mood.” This light romantic comedy by Kathleen Clark is staged in a posh, high-rise Manhattan apartment. For anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting IT’s founder, you won’t at all be surprised at how bold the set for “In the Mood” is and really comes to life. Claassen, herself, is larger than life in her attire and her stage is just a vibrant. The woman knows color. Claassen forever turns heads. She and James Blair designed the set and transformed her intimate theatre into an incredible luxury NYC apartment — heavy on the black, white and red . It’s simply striking. The apartment even has a (sometimes) working elevator upstage center, which is intentional and part of the scri...

Arizona Daily Wildcat :: Acting profs set right tone By JASON KRELL Published September 15, 2011 There’s a good chance you haven’t heard of the Invisible Theatre before, unless you’re a theater student at the UA. This is an egregious error. Sadly, many students fail to appreciate the benefits that theater can offer. Might I suggest spending a night seeing “In the Mood”? Not only was it fun to see UA professors practicing what they preach in the classroom, but the show itself was phenomenal. It seems ridiculous not to find anything that could use improvement, but “In the Mood” really covered its bases. Read the entire article here: Arizona Daily Wildcat :: Acting profs set right tone

CLEVER CONVERSATION "IN THE MOOD" by Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com With I.T.'s own Susan Claassen directing, "In the Mood" takes us back to those delicious times of words with bite. The director has found the perfect couple to portray the casual grace we associate with the art deco elegance of penthouse living. These two have so much chemistry together, they deserve to star in their own play. ... Sleek and statuesque Betsy Kruse Craig swirls with the intensity of a self-made woman who knows what she wants and knows how to get it. Equally affecting is Bruce Morganti, the cool one. He's the freshly pressed guy who acts like he couldn't care less, but beneath that nonchalant exterior he's always thinking two moves ahead of everyone else. Read more: http://tucsonstage.com/LINKS/IT_Reviews/In_the_Mood_Review/in_the_mood_review.html

'In the Mood' fast-paced fun with delicious dialogue, sets Kathleen Allen Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Friday, September 9, 2011 There are many things remarkable about Invisible Theatre, but this one always astounds: The big sets on the tiny stage. Not big in size, but big in concept and execution. That stage is constantly being transformed in impressive ways. And so it is with "In the Mood," which the company opened Wednesday. ... This is a fast-paced comedy with delicious dialogue by Clark, seamless directing by Claassen, and actors who embrace the froth with a giddy sense of delight. "In the Mood" will put you in the mood for some hearty laughter and good fun. Jack Neubeck, as an actor hired to pretend he's a carpenter, and Polly Schlitz, as the pianist with a scheduling conflict, are among the stellar cast of Invisible Theatre's "In the Mood." Read more: http://azstarnet.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_cec86781-9e7d-5398...

'In the Mood' ready, after many tweaks Kathleen Allen Arizona Daily Star   | Posted:  Friday, September 2, 2011 A playwright's work is never done. At least that's true for Kathleen Clark, who wrote Invisible Theatre's season opener, "In the Mood." The play had its premiere at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, Mass., last month. And still, Clark is tweaking it. And so is Susan Claassen, who is directing the comedy. ... TIM FULLER / INVISIBLE THEATRE Socialite Perri (Betsy Kruse Craig) is preparing a surprise party for her husband when her old beau Nick (Bruce Morganti) shows up in the romantic comedy "In the Mood." "I think what happened at Berkshire was that our aim was to try to get the comedy working, and we achieved that goal," Clark said. "But then some of the emotional world got lost, so Suz and I are putting back in some of the emotional world of the characters, and deepening it a bit. It'...

IT is IN THE MOOD for a sparkling 41st Anniversary Season!

In The Mood NEW PLAY AT INVISIBLE THEATRE ISNEW YORK BOUND By Chuck Graham TucsonStage.com "In the Mood" by Kathleen Clark has been a work in progress, and it may still be one. Clark isn't sure. Invisible Theatre's own Susan Claassen is directing the production of "In the Mood" that opens here Sept.7 to kick off the venerable company's 41 st season. "In the Mood" is set in a very upscale penthouse apartment with its own private elevator. The story begins with a woman (Betsy Kruse Craig) planning a surprise birthday party for her husband (Kevin Black). When the elevator gets stuck with her unsuspecting husband inside, the dominoes begin to fall. This high-rise tale turns on mistaken identities, infidelity, a stressed out marriage and love lost…then found. "In the Mood," is described as "a charming comedy that sings with witty repartee and sparkling humor." Also in the cast are Jack Neubeck, Lori Hunt, Bruce Morganti ...

http://www.tucsonmorningblend.com/videos/123756184.html Ann Hampton Callaway   Friday, Jun 24, 2011 “At Last” the Platinum Award-winning incomparable Ann Hampton Callaway will be back with IT in a not-to-be-missed evening and only Tucson appearance! She will touch your heart with her wit and magnificent musical artistry! Invisible Theatre's Sizzling Summer Sounds 2011

Cabaret returns to Arizona Inn NY SINGER BRINGS A COSMOPOLITAN FEEL TO IT EVENT Cabaret returns to Arizona Inn By Cathalena E. Burch Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Friday, June 17, 2011 Invisible Theatre launches its 2011 Sizzling Summer Sounds cabaret concert series this week with two events - "High Standards" with a cast of popular Tucson performers and "An Evening With Ann Hampton Callaway" featuring the critically acclaimed New York cabaret singer. PHOTO COURTESY OF INVISIBLE THEATRE New York cabaret singer Ann Hampton Callaway will perform as part of Invisible Theatre's Sizzling Summer Sounds. "We wanted to be able to showcase world-class talent that lives here and comes in in a setting where people really listen to the music," Claassen said. "I like to say it's a cosmopolitan experience on Tucson time: Have dinner, a cabaret show and hang out with the artists in the lounge and still be home by 10." Performances: "High Standards...

Pure Entertainment | Review | Tucson Weekly Invisible Theatre's Sizzling Summer Sounds series returns to the Arizona Inn by Sherilyn Forrester Over the next month, there are 10 different concerts slated, with most of them featuring multiple performances. Some will showcase the very best of Tucson's musical talent, and some will feature out-of-town headliners in an intimate, cabaret-like setting. After each performance, the audience will be able to mingle with the singers and musicians in the Audubon Lounge. "This is such a special opportunity," says Claassen. "All these folks are so accessible, and they're all people you'd want to know." Jack Neubeck will be featured in Sizzling Summer Sounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 21 and 22. Neubeck, joined by Haskell and Katherine Byrnes, will be featured in the first offering, called "High Standards," on June 21 and 22. He can hardly contain his excitement about getting to perform "some ...

Sizzling Summer Sounds (520) 882-9721 June 21-July 16! Sizzling Summer Sounds Presented by the Invisible Theatre 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, Tuesday, June 21, through Saturday, July 16 Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St. $35; discounts and packages available 882-9721 Ann Hampton Callaway will bring her mastery of multiple musical styles in for three performances, June 23-25. The award-winning composer/lyricist/singer/pianist/actress will not only sizzle, but with her full-hearted approach to making music, she is sure to smolder as well. Although she now calls New York home, Callaway grew up in the Chicago area and says music was ever-present, so much so that it was "like breathing. I'm really grateful that I experimented with many different art forms, but I felt music was the most beautiful way to draw all the things I love and do into one field of endeavor." Callaway says that she was particularly inspired by Carole King. "Whatever year Tapestry ...

Faux Bard of 'Premier!' tickles | Invisible Theatre A fun script and one of Tucson's favorite actors Posted May 5, 2011, 7:33 pm Dave Irwin TucsonSentinel.com The Invisible Theatre production of “Premier!” is billed as “a charming comedy.” And it certainly is. It also has just enough gravitas in its post-modern musings to make it a bit more than that without interfering with the laughs. Read the entire review here: Faux Bard of 'Premier!' tickles