2016 South Stage Season
Innovative Theater & New Works
Uncanny Valley
Drama by Thomas Gibbons
March 19 - April 3
Drawing on current research in artificial intelligence and robotics, UNCANNY VALLEY charts the relationship between Claire, a neuro-scientist, and Julian, a nonbiological human. As Julian is “born” a few body parts at a time over the course of the play, Claire teaches him how to be as human as possible: mirroring people’s speech, engaging in smalltalk, playing a musical instrument. Their deepening friendship and Julian’s growing “humanity” lead to the revelations of an unhealed sorrow in Claire’s personal life and, ultimately, the purpose for which Julian has been created. UNCANNY VALLEY explores the painful divide between creator and creation, the inherent unpredictability of consciousness, and how we are redefining what it means to be human in the twentyfirst century.
Drama by Thomas Gibbons
March 19 - April 3
Drawing on current research in artificial intelligence and robotics, UNCANNY VALLEY charts the relationship between Claire, a neuro-scientist, and Julian, a nonbiological human. As Julian is “born” a few body parts at a time over the course of the play, Claire teaches him how to be as human as possible: mirroring people’s speech, engaging in smalltalk, playing a musical instrument. Their deepening friendship and Julian’s growing “humanity” lead to the revelations of an unhealed sorrow in Claire’s personal life and, ultimately, the purpose for which Julian has been created. UNCANNY VALLEY explores the painful divide between creator and creation, the inherent unpredictability of consciousness, and how we are redefining what it means to be human in the twentyfirst century.
Framed
**WORLD PREMIERE**
Mystery/Thriller by Richard Weill
May 7 - 22
Two defense attorneys, Tom Russo and Gene Murphy, confront the overwhelming evidence of guilt against high-profile murder defendant Jennifer Creighton. Murphy, the diligent but risk-averse old pro, resists making outlandish and unprovable claims on Jennifer’s behalf. Meanwhile, the media-savvy Russo, craving the spotlight, convinces Jennifer to gamble her fate on a risky, headline-grabbing defense. But is Russo pursuing this sensational, high-risk strategy because it serves Jennifer’s interests, or furthers his own? What’s really going on here? And has Russo made a dangerous assumption when offering to take Jennifer’s case?
**WORLD PREMIERE**
Mystery/Thriller by Richard Weill
May 7 - 22
Two defense attorneys, Tom Russo and Gene Murphy, confront the overwhelming evidence of guilt against high-profile murder defendant Jennifer Creighton. Murphy, the diligent but risk-averse old pro, resists making outlandish and unprovable claims on Jennifer’s behalf. Meanwhile, the media-savvy Russo, craving the spotlight, convinces Jennifer to gamble her fate on a risky, headline-grabbing defense. But is Russo pursuing this sensational, high-risk strategy because it serves Jennifer’s interests, or furthers his own? What’s really going on here? And has Russo made a dangerous assumption when offering to take Jennifer’s case?
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OPEN MEETING CLOSED
A New Play Comedy by Michael Perlmutter June 18th - July 16 Four women have closed their open AA meeting today to confront Helen, the woman who has slept with all their husbands . . . well, almost all. Enter the newcomer, looking for her first meeting, and you have the mix for an AA meeting / Intervention gone hilariously wrong. |
Family Trees
**WORLD PREMIERE**
Comedy by Jason Furlani
December 2 - 18
This is a comedy about honoring family both here and gone and freeing ourselves of the labels put on us by those closest to us in life. When an advertising exec and her shiftless kid brother travel to Schenectady, NY, to fulfill their mother’s last request, they find they must confront nosy neighbors, financial burdens, and the odd tradition of burying their ancestors in the backyard, in order to redefine the meaning of "family."
**WORLD PREMIERE**
Comedy by Jason Furlani
December 2 - 18
This is a comedy about honoring family both here and gone and freeing ourselves of the labels put on us by those closest to us in life. When an advertising exec and her shiftless kid brother travel to Schenectady, NY, to fulfill their mother’s last request, they find they must confront nosy neighbors, financial burdens, and the odd tradition of burying their ancestors in the backyard, in order to redefine the meaning of "family."
