BNW Continues Tradition of Facing Election Year Topics Head-On with "The Rainbow Election: Mommies and Mormons and Gays, Oh My!"
Minneapolis, MN - June 4, 2012 -- The Brave New Workshop Theatre (BNW) today announced the title of its 2012 Election year show -- "The Rainbow Election: Mommies and Mormons and Gays, Oh My!", which previews July 12 - 19, opens July 20 and runs through November 3, 2012.
"The Rainbow Election: Mommies and Mormons and Gays, Oh My!" is the 277th comedy revue by the BNW, and extends the theatre's long tradition of devoting its creative muscle to the satirizing of all things political during the Summer and Fall of every Presidential election year.
Never shying away from election year hot-buttons, past BNW election year reviews have included: "The Lion, the Witch and the War Hero: or, Is McCain Able?" (2008); "The Recession Follies: BUSHwhacked (1992); and "Dull Man Running: or, The Bush Little Gore House in Texas." (2000) In 1972, the BNW cast mounted "The Future Lies Just Ahead" (featuring Nixon on the poster), an odd foreshadowing to the President's demise shortly thereafter. In 1996, Dudley Riggs himself registered as a candidate for President and the cast mounted the show "Campaign in the Neck: The Election is Riggsed." (Dudley lost that election to Bill Clinton, but somehow managed to get more votes than Dole and Perot; at least in Uptown).
"The Rainbow Election" will feature returning BNW cast members Josh Eakright, Bobby Gardner, Andy Hilbrands and Taj Ruler. Also returning to the stage (after a one-show break) is Lauren Anderson, who will make her 27th BNW-show appearance, and who started her BNW stage career with the 2004 election show, "Electile Dysfunction: or, Two Johns, a Dick and a Bush." Joining the cast for his first show is Matt Erkel, who appeared in both stagings of "Dudley: Rigged for Laughter" (2010 at the History Theatre, and 2011 at the opening of the new BNW Theatre in downtown Minneapolis). Additional writing support will be provided by Heather Meyer. The show is directed by Caleb McEwen, with assistant direction by Katy McEwen. Peter Guertin returns as music director, and James Roop will provide technical direction.
The cast began the writing and rehearsal process May 25. Show images and additional show information will be available in the coming weeks.
About Brave New Workshop
About the Brave New Workshop (BNW): The Brave New Workshop has been writing, performing and producing sketch comedy and improvisation since 1958-- longer than any other theatre in the United States. Founded by former circus performer Dudley Riggs and currently owned by husband and wife John Sweeney and Jenni Lilledahl, the BNW has become a legendary comedy institution, where audiences enjoy improv and sketch comedy nearly every night of the week. The company's talented performers create satirical, irreverent, and intelligent original works. Alums of the Workshop stage include Louie Anderson, Pat Proft, Al Franken, Tom Davis, Mo Collins ("Mad TV"), Peter MacNichol ("Ally McBeal", "24"), Melissa Peterman ("Reba"), Cedric Yarborough ("Reno 911", "The Boondocks") and Rich Sommer ("Mad Men", "Harvey"). The Brave New Workshop's Creative Outreach business services division trains and entertains Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Hilton/Hampton, General Mills, and Target. Additionally, the Brave New Workshop Student Union boasts the most comprehensive improv training curriculum in the country.
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Where: Brave New Workshop Theatre, 824 Hennepin Ave, Downtown Minneapolis, MN 55403
When: July 12 - November 3, 2012.
Schedule Details:
Five Preview Performances: ($18)
Thurs, July 12 (7:30p)
Fri, July 13 (8p)
Sat, July 14 (8p)
Weds, July 18 (7:30p)
Thurs, July 19 (7:30p)
Opening Night: ($36)
Fri, July 20 (8p)
Regular Run: ($25 - $30) - Thursdays thru Saturdays, through November 3
Thursdays (7:30p) ($25)
Fridays (8p) ($30)
Saturdays (8p) ($30)
Tickets:
Go on sale June 8
$25 - $30 (with discounts for preview performances, students, seniors, green commuters and groups)