COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA, ALL MY SONS, And ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST Hit OAT Co. As Part Of Its 5th Season

For its fifth Season, OAT Co. Artistic Director, Susanna Burney has come up with the theme: “Past is Prologue,” in an ongoing effort to define and explore the American identity through the lens of great American theater.  “What we’ve done in the past, makes us who we are today,” observes Burney, “but how will it effect us?  Will it swamp us?  Or will we make a change for the better?”

The Fifth Season, “Past is Prologue,” will feature staged readings of three great American plays:

October 13-14, 2009

Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge.  A marriage struggling to survive under the weight of regret and the fallout of alcoholism.

February 1-2, 2010

All My Sons by Arthur Miller.  The past cannot be buried for an
industrialist who made a fatal decision.

March 15-16, 2010

Another Part of the Forst by Lillian Hellman.  Hellman’s prequel to The Little Foxes portrays a mercantile family building an empire on the scrap heap of post-Civil War Alabama.

All staged readings will play one night at Theatre Off Jackson, and a second night at another venue in the greater Seattle area in order to reach out to different communities. Past second venues have included Fremont Abbey, Seattle Public Theater at The Historic Bathhouse Theatre, and ArtsWest.

Local playwright and provocateur, Paul Mullin, will continue to curate mediators to lead discussions following each staged reading.  Last season’s talkback guests included Misha Berson, John Longenbaugh and Scot Augustson.

This season’s production will be a lesser known play by one of our great American Playwrights.  OAT Co. is very excited about producing Angels Fall,  by Lanford Wilson.  When four strangers are stranded at a Catholic parish on The Edge of an Indian reservation, everyone, including the priest and a local young doctor, are forced to face their demons and make some changes.  First produced in 1982, Angels Fall  is an emotional, funny, and timely play that deserves closer attention in these times of change and turmoil.  Angels Fall will run June 4-26, 2010 at Theatre Off Jackson.

So no one will hesitate to attend for lack of funds, all performances are pay what you will.

For more information about Our American Theater, its past productions and its mission, to get involved, or donate, please visit: www.ouramericantheater.org.

Our American Theater Company (OAT Co.) is dedicated to exploring and bringing to life the voices of the American Theater, from the classic, the obscure, the unsung to the new. Working with actors, directors, designers and educators; through readings, discussions, and productions that help define our American identity, and its contemporary role in our complex world today.