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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

SOLO FLIGHTS FESTIVAL RETURNS TO PASSAGE THEATRE IN TRENTON

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SOLO FLIGHTS FESTIVAL

WHEN: Mar 3 - Mar 27, 2016; 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 pm Sundays
WHERE: The Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ (Secure Parking)
TICKETS
:
$25. Discounts for seniors, groups and students
Purchase at www.passagetheatre.org or 609-392-0766
DIRECTIONS: www.passagetheatre.org

In honor of Passage Theatre’s 30th Anniversary, the popular Solo Flights Festival has returned by popular demand to the Mill Hill Playhouse.  The festival was retired 5 years ago in favor of selected single artist events. 

The Solo Flights Festival features a variety of 6 one-person plays written and performed by 6 artists.

This season’s line-up brings to the stage in rotating repertory:

  • An adaptation of Claude Brown’s Manchild in the Promised Land, by Joseph Edwards, directed by Wynn Handman, March 3, 5, and 6. In this coming-of-age story, young Claude struggles to find his identity and keep his sanity to overcome social ills and turn his life around. The play explores themes of education, the power of choice, and self-awareness.
  • Panther Hollow, written and performed by David Lee White, directed by John Augustine, performs March 4, 12 and 18 and is a comedy describing life at 25 years upon encountering two dead bodies, a Jacobean tragedy, drugs, Satanists, skinheads, Elizabeth Wurtzel, and Nordic death metal. Coming of age in the Midwest can be tough.
  • Remembrance Day, written and performed by June Ballinger, directed by Janice Goldberg, performs March 10 and 20 and follows the memories of an 80-year-old former British code breaker attending a Remembrance Day service in England.  She looks back on her life and the secrets about her work and identity that she has held for over 50 years.
  • Playwright and performer Leslie Ayvazian reads from her collection of stories Mention My Beauty on March 11 and 19, centered on growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, a time of rebellion and action and indignation.  Although she joined organizations like VISTA…her attention was elsewhere.
  • Etty, crafted solely from Etty Hillesum’s writings during the Holocaust, is an unconventional theatre experience written and performed by Susan Stein that brings the audience into Etty’s thinking as she wrestles to write the life she is living – her loves, her work, her wry sense of humor and her knowledge of self in this moment in history, all whilst confronting God. March 13 and 14.
  • Improviser and storyteller Alex Clothier tries to tell us what happened when Grandma was hit by a train in Everything’s Fine!, through an exploration of family and memory an intimate night full of secrets, laughter, and food. March 17.

“This has been a long popular type of storytelling with audiences internationally and has the benefit of providing each theatre artist control of their own artistry and career,” Artistic Director June Ballinger explains.  “And it affords Passage the opportunity to curate a wildly eclectic month of theatre with a variety of stories, theatrical forms and generations.  There is truly something for everyone, though oddly enough a common theme is pondering the ‘coming of age’…whether 25 or 85!  People were dismayed to see us stop the festival a few years ago, but we decided we needed a change.  But we are back!”

Passage Theatre has been committed to original new work with an emphasis on socially responsible themes for 30 years.  The professional (Actors Equity Association) company performs in the historic Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton. 

Passage Theatre’s mainstage supporters are: N.J. State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the NEA; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; The City of Trenton; WIMG 1300; The Curtis McGraw Foundation; The James Kerney Foundation; PNC Bank; The Garfield Foundation; Princeton Area Community Foundation; The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; The Shubert Foundation; New Jersey Manufacturers; Church & Dwight; Mary G. Roebling Foundation; Anonymous; and Fidelity Savings Bank.