KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre presents Arizona premiere of new play
KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY
June 17 – July 24, 2021

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — The Don Bluth Front Row Theatre will present the Arizona premiere of the new play KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY by playwright with Valley theatre roots — June 17 through July 24, 2021. A mother/daughter duo — AriZoni award-winning director Cheryl Schaar will stage her daughter Amanda Schaar’s script. When Cheryl saw the staged reading of her daughter Amanda’s play three years ago in La Jolla, California she knew, then and there, that its Arizona premiere had to be on the DBFRT stage. This is, indeed, a dream come true.

About the play: Socrates. Must. Die. At turns hilarious and heartbreaking, KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY is a roller-coaster ride through one of history’s most famous minds…ending in one of history’s most infamous deaths. Socrates was a citizen of the world’s first democracy. This led him to ask the question: are the majority of people wise or unwise? His considered answer: Unwise. Then the majority of people tried him and sentenced him to death. Faced with his impending death, Socrates attempts to solve some of mankind’s greatest mysteries. He even proves the immortality of the soul – for himself, at least.

KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY showcases three Valley veteran actors. The title role of Socrates is played by veteran actor Tom Koelbel. Tom most recently performed at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in 2019 in Blithe Spirit alongside SOCRATES director Cheryl Schaar. Tom’s extensive credits include almost 30 theatre productions throughout the Valley.

KILL SOCRATES, A COMEDY premiered as a staged reading at the New Fortune Theatre Company, La Jolla, CA. Audiences called the play: “Hilarious, savvy and smart.” “Magnificent, funny and touching.” “A fascinating exploration.”

Reserved seating tickets are General $28, Seniors/Students/Military $25 and are available online at www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or by phone at 480-314-0841. The DBFRT new theatre venue is located at 8989 E Via Linda, Ste 118, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, conveniently located at the southwest corner of Via Linda and 90th Street.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Cheryl Schaar (Director) –

Co-Artistic Director at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, actress and director Cheryl Schaar has been directing at DBFRT for over seven years. Most recently at DBFRT she directed Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner in 2019, and her 2017 production of It’s A Wonderful Life won an AriZoni Award for Best Director and Best Production. Cheryl was the first female director at DBFRT in 2015 with the production of Charley’s Aunt. At DBFRT Cheryl has performed in Barefoot in the Park (twice), Blithe Spirit (twice), The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, It’s a Wonderful Life, God’s Favorite, Arsenic and Old Lace, and the 2019 Gala production written by Don Bluth to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Don’s animated film and starring famed Hollywood actress Loni Anderson. Her work at other Valley theatres includes favorite roles at Southwest Shakespeare in The Comedy of Errors, The Importance of Being Ernest and Richard III., the Hale Center Theatre in Harvey and The Man Who Came to Dinner, and Mesa Encore Theatre in 39 Steps. For 15 years served as a Drama/Improv teacher at a charter school in Chandler.

Amanda Schaar (Playwright) –

Amanda is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the New Fortune Theatre in San Diego, CA. Prior to New Fortune, Amanda has proudly served as Founding Co-Artistic Director of the youth nonprofit, Into Theatre; Director of Educational Outreach for Southwest Shakespeare Company; Production Manager for ChildsPlay Touring Theatre; Executive Assistant for Poor Players Theatre Co., as well as Shakespeare Sedona; and Actor Manager for Phoenix Theatre Educational Outreach. An accomplished writer, dancer, musician and actress, Amanda has appeared in experimental and classical venues around the country. Credits include, New Fortune: Henry V, Birthday Party, Les Liaisons Dangereuses; Poor Players: Measure for Measure and Richard II ; Sledgehammer: Heaven on Earth; Southwest Shakespeare: As You Like It, The Winter’s Tale, Tartuffe, Othello, Two Gentlemen of Verona, London Assurance, Romeo and Juliet; Timeline Theatre Company (Chicago): Pitmen Painters (US Premiere) (Chicago Jeff Award, Best Ensemble), The Front Page (Jeff Nomination, Best Show); North Coast Repertory Theatre; Perfect Wedding, Odd Couple; Northwestern University; Teatro Caliente Festival; Teatro Bravo; TIMB; Stray Cat; and a National Tour of New Voices. Ms. Schaar is proud to have written extensively for theatrical performance: sketch comedy, syndicated live theatre, performance art pieces (notable: The Black Chicken, Naked with a Banjo, and Pancake of Truth), as well as full-length plays: Rummy Starker Love Fest (Best Avant Garde – EV Trib.) enjoyed completely sold-out runs at ASU and TIMB (Phoenix), and Kill Socrates, A Comedy recently made its electric stage-reading debut with New Fortune. Ms. Schaar holds a B.A. in Theatre from the ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts, highest honors.

Tom Koelbel (Socrates) –

The title role of Socrates is played by veteran actor Tom Koelbel. Tom most recently performed at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in 2019 in Blithe Spiritalongside SOCRATES director Cheryl Schaar. Tom’s extensive credits include almost 30 theatre productions at companies DBFRT, Theatre Artists Studio, iTheatre Collaborative, Hale Center Theatre, Fountain Hills Theatre, TheatreWorks, Zao Theatre, Black Theatre Troupe, Stray Cat Theatre and Phoenix Theatre, in addition to local film and commercial work.

Van Rockwell (Phaedo) –

Van Rockwell returns to Don Bluth Front Row Theatre where he previously performed Happy McGuire in Lady For A Day, Godfrey Parke in My Man Godfrey, and Charley Wickham in Charley’s Aunt. He was last seen directing Bonnie & Clyde, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Miss Nelson is Missing (AriZoni Award for Best Director of a Youth Play) for Limelight Youth Theatre.

J. Kevin Tallent (Meletus/Guard) –

Through the years J. Kevin Tallent has performed in NYC in a number of Off-Off Broadway productions as well several Valley companies including Southwest Shakespeare Co., Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, Mesa Encore Theatre, Fountain Hills Theatre, and Desert Stages.

CALENDAR LISTING DETAILS

Play: “Kill Socrates, A Comedy” by Amanda Schaar
Production Run: June 17 through July 24, 2021

Dates/Times:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7 p.m. on June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, July 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24
Saturday Matinees at 2 p.m. on June 17, 26, July 10, 17 and 24
No performances July 1, 2, 3

Where: Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E Via Linda, Ste 118, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, conveniently located at the southwest corner of Via Linda and 90th Street.

Admission: $28 general, $25 seniors/students/military

Tickets: Call the box office at 480-314-0841 or purchase online at www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com

About Don Bluth
Don Bluth, one of the most acclaimed directors, producers and artists in the industry, helped contribute to many of our favorite childhood memories with the animated films such as All Dogs Go To Heaven, The Secret Of Nimh, The Land Before Time and Anastasia. Young Don Bluth began his incredible journey, inspiring millions of artists both young and old, by drawing his favorite Disney characters after watching them at the local theater as often as he could. Don made many major accomplishments in his animation career but never forgot his love for the theatrical arts, so in the 90’s Don decided to bless us with another piece of magic to fill our hearts and began hosting his first productions in his own living room. As interest in his productions increased, so too did his audience and in 2012 Don moved his theatrical family to a new location. Since then audiences have been treated to performances such as the Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, The Producers, Oklahoma, She Loves Me, Oliver, It’s a Wonderful Life, and many more. Full Biography.

About the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
The Don Bluth Front Row Theatre was founded in 2004 to share with the Valley Don’s vision of providing a family friendly intimate theater. Mr. Bluth believes that theatre arts are an integral part of a well-rounded community environment. The theatre’s average audience is well educated and ranges between 30-70 years in age. The theatre has 75 seats, with 25 performances over the span of each production run. Shows are held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, as well as most Saturday matinees. During each production run approximately 2,000 patrons pass through the theatre doors; serving around 10,000 patrons annually. The theatre is frequently cited with Zonie Awards and nominations. Don Bluth Front Row Theatre is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and is a nonprofit 501(c)3 community theatre.