Received directly:
jointly present
Messenger No. 4 (or How to Survive a Greek Tragedy)
by Will Hollis Snider
and
The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm
by Rachel McGinnis
February 17 - March 4
Performances Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (Phineas) and 9:30 p.m. (Messenger);
Sundays at 6 p.m. (Phineas) and 8 p.m. (Messenger)
Monday performances on February 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. (Phineas) and 9:30 p.m. (Messenger)
at the BLUE Theatre, 916 Springdale (click for map)
Austin’s Cambiare Productions and Paper Moon Rep are proud to announce a double feature of full-length world premieres featuring Will Hollis Snider’s comedy Messenger No. 4 (or How to Survive a Greek Tragedy) and Rachel McGinnis’ The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm.
Directed by Austin Critics’ Table nominee Will Hollis Snider (Intermission, Elektra, The Nina Variations, Orestes), Messenger No. 4 would be just another rollicking workplace comedy, except that the workplace in question is history’s greatest plays. This high energy tour of love, fate, and the Western Canon raises the stakes on workplace frustration to cosmic heights as Messenger No. 4’s job dissatisfaction transcends water cooler grousing, leaping directly to erasing our greatest literature and maybe even reality itself.
Directed by B. Iden Payne and Austin Critic’s Table winner and nominee Rachel McGinnis (The Laramie Project, The Dudleys, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Rabbit Hole, The Nina Variations, The Heidi Chronicles), The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm is a sideshow whirlwind of folly, danger and the missteps of youth. When a powerful invention lands in the hands of impulsive Phineas Hamm on his 25th birthday, he’s faced with the possibility of altering his reality with the single pull of a lever. What happens when desires and abandon trump resilience and loyalty? Set to music with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Kaitlyn Moise, Phineas is an exploration of tempting fortunes and their immediate outcomes.
The Cambiare Productions / Paper Moon Rep partnership began simply as a means to offset the single largest expense of any production--rent; but the collaboration has grown into what promises to be a captivating evening at the theatre. The shows remain their singular selves, but the evening will reward those who buy the Double Feature ticket with reduced admission, a complimentary cocktail and an end-to-end experience. The companies are also sharing production staff. The artistic team for Messenger No., 4 and The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm includes B. Iden Payne Award Winners Ia Enstera (Production Scenic Design) and Megan Reilly (Production Lighting Design), B. Iden Payne nominee Glenda Barnes (Costume Design, Messenger No. 4), Amanda Gass (Production Manager/Dramaturg, Messenger No. 4), and Elizabeth Cobbe (Dramaturg, Phineas).
Messenger No. 4 and The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm will be presented as a full evening of theatre at the Blue Theatre (916 Springdale Rd., Austin) from February 17th to March 4th. Tickets will be available for the entire night of theatre or for individual performances at www.PhineasAnd4.com
About Cambiare Productions: Founded in the fall of 2007, Cambiare Productions seeks a laboratory for new and devised works. Cambiare Productions continually reaches out to the Austin and global theatre community in person and via social media to find new partners in the creation of theatre. For more information on Messenger No. 4 or Cambiare Productions please visit CambiareProductions.com.
About Paper Moon Repertory: Founded in 2010, Paper Moon Rep is dedicated to the fine art of theatrical production and education. Our mission is to provide high quality productions that capture the imaginations of theatregoers through inventive scenery and props, one-of-a-kind costumes, innovative music and fantastical storytelling. For more information about The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm or Paper Moon, please visit www.PaperMoonRep.com.
