Invisible Theatre “THE CROSSWORD PLAY” Conclusion

Invisible Theatre Concludes Its Landmark 50th Anniversary With THE CROSSWORD PLAY (Or Ezmeranda’s Gift)By Donna Hoke

5 Performances Only
June 21- 25, 2022
$40

The Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, Arizona 85719

The Invisible Theatre concludes its landmark 50th Anniversary Season with THE CROSSWORD PLAY (Or Ezmeranda’s Gift) by Donna Hoke, directed by Gretchen Wirges and starring Samantha Cormier. Welcome to the Puzzlemaker’s workshop, where she promises to share all the secrets of crossword construction – and even a few she wasn’t planning to tell, like that she was hired to make this puzzle for her ex-boyfriend by his new girlfriend! THE CROSSWORD PLAY begins as a fun romp through the world of cruciverbalism, then turns devious and serious when the Puzzlemaker finds herself backed into a crossword corner. How she gets out of it will amaze you – and also determine whether or not she solves her own “puzzling” life.

THE CROSSWORD PLAY will run on the IT stage from June 21 – June 25, 2022.
The Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, Arizona 85719.

The single show ticket price is $40.
A low cost preview on June 21st and special student rate is $20.
Reservations are required.
Group Discounts Available, in addition to discounts for IT Season Ticket Holders, groups, seniors, students and active military.

The running time is 75 minutes with no intermission.

THE CROSSWORD PLAY is appropriate for ages 18 and up (Mature language).

COVID PROTOCOLS

The health and safety of our artists, audiences and staff continues to be our top priority. All protocols will be evaluated and adjusted in accordance with CDC guidance.

THE INVISIBLE THEATRE

The Invisible Theatre (IT) of Tucson, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, is dedicated to producing quality theatre and arts education experiences for all facets of the community, in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings. Our award winning arts education program for special needs children focuses on ability rather than dwelling on disability. Our commitment to artistic excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion and quality has made the Invisible Theatre a very visible force in the local, national, and international arts scene.

ABOUT THE PEOPLE

Gretchen Wirges (Director) is thrilled to be making her IT directing debut. She has appeared in three IT productions including most recently SECRETS OF A SOCCER MOM. IT is thrilled to have her as a valued ensemble member! Gretchen is an actor, director, and playwright and has been fortunate to grace the stages of many of the theatre companies in Tucson. Her most notable performances as an actor include THE LITTLE PRINCE, EURYDICE, GLORIA: A LIFE, THE PHOTOGRAPHER DISCLOSES, IT IS MAGIC, A SONORAN DESERT CAROL and most recently ADA AND THE ENGINE. She is also an accomplished improviser. Gretchen has taught improv, travelled nationally to perform, and has coached/directed numerous troupes. Her favorite role is as wife to Drew and dog mom to Josephine, Angel, Sophia, Henry and Frederick.

Samantha Cormier (Puzzlemaker) is IT’s treasured Artistic Associate. She holds an M.F.A. in Performing Arts from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and a B.F.A. in Directing/Theatre Production from The University of Arizona. She has performed and directed in theatres from New York to Savannah, to your favorite theatres in Tucson. Favorite shows directed/choreographed include TINY BEAUTIFUL THING, NUNSENSE, and SNOOPY!!! THE MUSICAL (MAC Award Nomination, Best Director). Favorite performances include SECRETS OF A SOCCER MOM, VENUS IN FUR, DANCING LESSONS (Mac Nom, Best Actress), LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (MAC Award Nomination, Best Actress), and VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE (MAC Award Winner, Best Actress). Samantha has been a theatre instructor for over 16 years.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Playwright and screenwriter Donna Hoke’s work has been seen in 47 states and on five continents, including at Barrington Stage, Barrow Group, Celebration Theatre, Gulfshore Theatre, Queens Theatre, The Road, Writers Theatre New Jersey, Phoenix Theatre, Atlantic Stage, Purple Rose, Skylight, Pride Films and Plays, New Jersey Rep, Hens and Chickens (London), The Galway Fringe Festival, and Actors Repertory Theatre of Luxembourg. Plays include BRILLIANT WORKS OF ART (Kilroys List), ELEVATOR GIRL (O’Neill and Princess Grace finalist), SAFE (winner of the Todd McNerney, Naatak, and Great Gay Play and Musical Contests), and TEACH (Gulfshore New Works winner).

She has been nominated for both the Primus and Blackburn Prizes, and is a three-time winner of the Emanuel Fried Award for Outstanding New Play (SEEDS, SONS & LOVERS, ONCE IN MY LIFETIME). She has also received an Individual Artist Award from the New York State Council on the Arts to develop HEARTS OF STONE, and, in its final three years, Artvoice named her Buffalo’s Best Writer – the only woman to ever receive the designation.

Donna also serves on the Dramatists Guild Council, is an ensemble playwright at Road Less Traveled Productions, blogger, moderator of the 12,000+- member Official Playwrights of Facebook, New York Times-published crossword puzzle constructor; author of Neko and the Twiggets, a children’s book; and founder/co-curator of BUA Takes 10: GLBT Short Stories. Speaking engagements include Citywrights, Kenyon Playwrights Conference, the Dramatists Guild National Conference, Chicago Dramatists, the Austin Film Festival, and a live Dramatists Guild webinar. Her commentary has been seen on #2amt, howlround, The Dramatist, the Official Playwrights of Facebook, Workshopping the New Play (Applause, 2017), and at donnahoke.com.

FACTS ABOUT THE CROSSWORD PLAY
(Or Ezmeranda’s Gift)

CAST:
Samantha Cormier

DIRECTOR:
Gretchen Wirges

WHERE:
The Invisible Theatre
1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ 85719

RUNNING TIME:
75 minutes with no intermission

AGE RECOMMENDATION:
Ages 18 and up (Mature language).

WHEN:
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. (Preview)
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

PRODUCTION STAFF:
PRODUCERS: Susan Claassen and Betsy Kruse Craig
STAGE MANAGER: James Blair

FOR INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
Call our Box Office at (520) 882-9721.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.
Tickets are also available 24/7 through OvationTix at www.invisibletheatre.com.
General Admission ticket price is $40, Low Cost Matinee (6/21) and student ticket price is $20.

(Posted by Entertainment Magazine)