Internationally-renowned MASQUE Theatre Co.
Comes to TheatreWorks – August 7th, 8th, 9th!

Order your tickets today for this very special event.

Here’s a little something about the two pieces that MASQUE will be presenting:

This World, the Next, and then the Peach Orchard
One of the Company’s signature pieces brings you non-verbal characters and situations, characters seemingly of unknown origins, and some more recognizable, all gracing the stage throughout the production. This is a theatrical variety show in which anything can happen and does! A visage of Gandhi in puppet form makes an appearance. The “Weapon” and its effect on the egos is demonstrated. Even a short visit from another planet is possible – as well as appearances by various specimens from the animal world. People, metaphors, experiences and stories within stories are all part of This World, the Next, and then the Peach Orchard! Over the course of the act over 20 masks and puppets make an appearance in approximately 11 different situations.

Blues, Blues
Utilizing the American Blues Music genre, this play combines an American cultural identity and the European ‘clown’ approach represented by the mask element and a blending of cultural and theatrical approaches. In Blues, Blues, two personas known as the Blues, are confronted with the awesome responsibility of doing something, anything, for the newly discovered audience confronting them. Now they are not alone. What could they possibly do? A dilemma we all experience now and then and like us, they can use a little help from their friends, if only they can find some friends.

Performances are at 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday, August 7th and 8th, with a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, August 9th. Tickets are $20. No subscriptions or passes accepted for this special presentation.

 

'Doubt' Featured Actresses

Anyone who’s familiar with great stage performances knows Noel Desiato, currently playing the stern, old-school head nun, Sister Aloysius, in TheatreWorks’ production of Doubt: A Parable.

An accomplished actress of film and theatre, Ms. Desiato studied acting under the legendary Stella Adler and was a member of Michael Moriarty’s Potters Field Theatre company in NYC. Last year, she performed in two outstanding roles at TheatreWorks: Violet Venable in Tennessee Williams’ gripping drama, Suddenly Last Summer and as legendary actress Katherine Hepburn in Tea at Five.

Since its debut at TheatreWorks in January 2008, Ms. Desiato has taken Tea at Five on the road to theatres such as The Sherman Playhouse, TriArts at the Sharon Playhouse, and The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. And in September, she’ll be taking the show to the Town Players of Newtown. We strongly urge you to visit her website at www.noeldesiato.com for information and updates.

In the Spotlight (ITS) asked Ms. Desiato (ND) what makes playing Sister Aloysius so unique for her given her broad body of work:

ND: Very interesting question…it is a fresh character with very different values and views on life from myself. Playing Sister Aloysius opens up a whole new world, and as much craft as one might have there are certain characters that can make you feel slightly uncomfortable. And what is most challenging is to keep it fresh and to always do your very best to be there for the other actors. 

ITS: What do you think audiences will enjoy most about Doubt?
ND: I hope the audience would enjoy seeing actors truly getting behind the playwright’s words and giving it away to them…that is what most concerns me.

ITS: You’ve played so many different characters. Real and fictional. Which one is your favorite?
ND: I don't know. I believe that if I am confronted with a script and I sense I would be able to bring something to the table that that would be my favorite role. 

A fresh and welcome addition to the TheatreWorks stage is Jessica Lea Alex of Washington, Conn, playing the role of the innocent, yet naïve young nun, Sister James.

A recent graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, Ms. Alex studied Theatre and Dance. Her credits there include: Strindberg’s Miss Julie (Julie) for which she received an Irene Ryan nomination for the American College Theatre Festival, The Possibilities (Young Woman), Trojan Woman (Helen of Troy), A Year with Frog and Toad (Young Frog, Bird Girl, etc.), The Who’s Tommy, and Urinetown the Musical.

Miss Alex’s other credits include: Bloody Poetry (Harriet Westbrook) at the Theatre Outlet in Allentown, PA, Damn Yankees at Musicals at Richter in Danbury, and she recently sung the role of Julia in the staged reading of Charles Strouse’s new musical, The American Tragedy.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t Ms. Alex’s first time portraying a nun on stage. While at Muhlenberg, she portrayed Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense. So how did this bright, talented young woman feel about going from playing a nun who sings and dances to one caught in this high-stakes morality play?

JLA: Most challenging is how much Sister James grows through out the duration of the play as she is exposed to a dark and controversial issue. She struggles to understand and believe her elders while staying true to her faith and morality. Her naïvety leaves her feeling unqualified to make the right decisions. She is the one character whose beliefs are constantly oscillating. My goal has been to create a framework that allows her to truly believe both Flynn and Aloysius at different times.

ITS: What have you enjoyed most about this experience?
JLA: Taking part in the heated conversations and debates that have emerged at the conclusion of rehearsals. I think this is what the audience will enjoy most. Ideally, they will come with their spouse, partner, sibling, or good friend and leave questioning how well they know that person. I think this is the best kind of theatre because it sparks conversation that makes you question and defend your beliefs.

ITS: How do you feel about being the youngest cast member?
JLA: It’s made this a very special experience. I have learned an incredible amount by watching and acting with my fellow cast members. The natural hierarchy that emerged amidst the cast helped inform my character choices. It was this that really helped me commune with and relate to my character.

With only two performances left, please don’t miss Noel Desiato, Jessica Lea Alex, Stephanie Jackson, and J. Scott Williams in the production that both critics and audiences are lauding with high praise.

Get Your Tickets to ‘Doubt’ Now and Discover the Power Everyone’s Talking About!

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