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West of Eden by Letitia Sweitzer










Valhalla by Paul Rudnick













After Ashley by Gina Gionfriddo

Peter's Update: Valhalla by Paul Rudnick

A few years ago, I directed the Essential Theatre’s production of Paul Rudnick’s THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD, which took a look at stories and themes from the Bible, seen through a gay perspective (starting in the Garden of Eden, with Adam and Steve). It’s still one of my favorites shows that we’ve ever done, and not just because it was funny as hell (line for line, I think Rudnick may be the funniest playwright working today). What I found most captivating about the script was the scope of its theatrical imagination and the depth and breadth of its exploration of spiritual issues. Expecting to read a campy joke-fest, I found that I had discovered a playwright capable of creating the kind of magic only live theatre can provide.

I felt the same way when I read Rudnick’s VALHALLA, which was just opening in New York when our production of MOST FABULOUS was playing. I didn’t get around to reading it for some time, because I have to admit that a comic historical fantasy about an opera-obsessed European monarch of the 19^th Century didn’t sound like something I could, uh, relate to. It turns out that Rudnick’s play isn’t just about Ludwig, the Mad King of Bavaria (he was a real guy – look him up). It’s also about two gay teenagers trying to grow up and find themselves in a small Texas town in the 1930’s and 40’s; it’s about Princess Sophie, “the loneliest humpback in Europe;”it’s about World War Two movies and song-and-dance numbers and fairy-tale castles and, yes, about opera.

But mostly – I think – it’s about being willing to go mad to create something of beauty. Which is something that just about anyone who works in the world of non-profit theatre (and just about any art form) can relate to. I think VALHALLA is an incredibly funny play, but it also makes me cry, and that’s what made we want to direct it. That’s the kind of experience I’m hoping we can give to the people who come to see it.

If you’d like to find out more about King Ludwig, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_II_of_Bavaria.

2008 Power Plays 10th Anniversay Festival Casts

VALHALLA by Paul Rudnick

Directed by Peter Hardy

Topher Payne

Matt Felten

Kate Graham

Greg Morris

Sunny Williams

Alejandro Gutierrez

AFTER ASHLEY by Gina Gionfriddo

Directed by Ellen McQueen

Brent Rose
Tim Batten

Dina Shadwell

Allen Hagler

Dowd Keith

Rob Glidden

WEST OF EDEN by Letitia Sweitzer

Directed by Tristan Ludden

Paul Boehlert

Helen Ingebritsen

Blake Covington

Dewayne Morgan

Aaron Gotlieb

Performance Dates & Ticket Info

Performance Dates & Times

WEST OF EDEN Tuesday, July 8, 8:00pm PWYC Wednesday, July 9, 8:00pm Saturday, July 12, 8:00pm Sunday, July 13, 7:00pm talkback Tuesday, July 15, 8:00pm PWYC Thursday, July 17, 8:00pm Saturday, July 19, 8:00pm Sunday, July 20, 2:00pm sold out Wednesday, July 23, 8:00pm Thursday, July 24, 8:00pm Saturday, July 26, 2:00pm sold out Sunday, July 27, 7:00pm

VALHALLA Friday, June 27, 8:00pm Saturday, June 28, 8:00pm Sunday, June 29, 7:00pm Saturday, July 5, 8:00pm Thursday, July 10, 8:00pm Sunday, July 13, 2:00pm Monday, July 14, 8:00pm Saturday, July 19, 2:00pm Sunday, July 20, 7:00pm Tuesday, July 22, 8:00pm PWYC Friday, July 25, 8:00pm Sunday, July 27, 2:00pm

AFTER ASHLEY Wednesday, July 2, 8:00pm Thursday, July 3. 8:00pm Sunday, July 6, 7:00pm Friday, July 11, 8:00pm Saturday, July 12, 2:00pm Wednesday, July 16, 8:00pm Friday, July 18, 8:00pm Monday, July 21, 8:00pm Saturday, July 26, 8:00pm

Ticket Prices:

Fri and Sat;

ONLINE: $20 adults and $15 (senior/student discounts)

AT THE DOOR: $22 adults & $18 (senior/student discounts)

Mon, Weds, Thurs and Sun: (discounts are not available on weeknights or Sunday)

ONLINE: $15

AT THE DOOR: $18

Tuesday PAY WHAT YOU CAN;

Every Tuesday evening is PAY WHAT YOU CAN at the door.

For Calendar Listings

Box Office: 877-840-0457 or buy tickets online and save

7 Stages Backstage,1105 Euclid Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30307