Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children up next for Workhouse Theatre, a never-ending search for happiness
By: Dan Hylton 02/01/2009
This March, Workhouse Theatre is partnering with South Minneapolis' Hardcover Theater to bring the pages of the cult-classic graphic novel, Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children, set to life on stage at The Warren. For Hardcover Theater, whose mission it is to transform literature into stylistically original stage adaptations, this is somewhat familiar ground. Hardcover Theater has been turning the written word into critically acclaimed theatrical productions since 2002. Past productions have included The Sea-Wolf, Around the World in 80 Days in Under 60 Minutes, and a serial production of an original vampire thriller that currently spans five distinct plays.
But Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children will mark the first time they have worked outside of familiar surroundings, in a joint-collaboration with an artistic partner. For both Hardcover Theater and Workhouse Theatre this means an opportunity to expose a new potential audience base to their respective crafts. But for the Camden neighborhood, it is an opportunity for a new collection of Twin Cities' residents, previously unfamiliar with this part of town, to learn of the many amenities of the area, including great dining options and live entertainment.
The entertainment takes aim at three individual volumes from an original series that spanned 32 issues. I Am Paul's Dog, Beneath the Useless Universe and By the Light of the Screaming Moon are the titles of three distinct stories brought together under the a unifying theme that Workhouse Theatre Artistic Director Jeff Redman refers to as, "...the never-ending search for happiness and the sometimes desperate measures used to achieve it." Redman, a Camden resident, will be among a small troupe of performers who will mix and match and take on roles in the show. Sarah Leigh (scenic design) and Mark Webb (lighting design), both Camden residents, will be among the veteran production team that brings its talents to bear on this second of three main stage performances in the Workhouse Theatre season.
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children opens on Friday, March 6 and runs for nine performances through Saturday, March 29. Tickets are $10 paid in advance or $12 at the door. Purchase at www.workhousetheatre.org, or reserve by calling the box office at 612-386-5763. For info visit www.workhousetheatre.org. Workhouse Theatre's 2008-2009 Season is made possible, in part, by sponsorships from Papa's Restaurant and Deli, Steamworks Coffee and Tea Company, and Camden Pet Hospital.