On Stage: Theatre Conspiracy

Theatre Conspiracy has schemed up yet another interesting batch of new and innovative works for their 2006-2007 season.

Located in Fort Myers in the Foulds Theatre at the Lee County Alliance for the Arts, Theatre Conspiracy and Artistic Director Bill Taylor strive to nurture and promote the next generation of theater. Through their New Play Contest, Southwest Florida audiences get the rare treat to be the first to experience the work of up-and-coming playwrights. They have also traditionally presented plays that are more cutting-edge than those of most area theaters.

They are starting off the 2006-07 season with a special presentation of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney. This play is a comical look at relationships with your mate and your pet. Sylvia is the name of the lovable mutt in this story that has a profound effect on one couple's marriage. Witty dialogue and the use of a human actress as the dog make this work a riotously funny night of theater. Theatre Conspiracy veteran Lisa Marie will be reprising the role of her canine alter ego. This show runs August 17 through September 2.

End of the World Button officially begins the regular 2006-07 lineup. This play was a finalist in Theatre Conspiracy's 2005-06 New Play Contest. The story follows Harry, a playwright with a serious case of writer's block. His life is further complicated by his wife, who is addicted to plastic surgery, meddling parents, and a Mafioso producer, whose actions lead him to take refuge in a secret underground military base. This show is scheduled to run October 12 until the 28th.

Next up is the comedy The Dead Guy by Eric Coble. Playing November 30 through December 16 this play is about a producer who has devised a new reality television show. The show's premise is to offer an average, unknown, debt-ridden American one million dollars and only a week to spend it. There is a catch though — at the end of the week, the audience votes on how he will die. Audiences who enjoyed the hilariously dark sense of humor in Bright Ideas will enjoy this work by the same playwright.

In true Conspiracy fashion, this season holds a bit of a surprise. The next slot in the lineup has yet to be announced. The undisclosed show is scheduled to fit into the slot running January 11 through the 27th. Taylor is hard at work ironing out the details of what this mystery selection will turn out to be.

Parallel Lives: The Kathy and Mo Show will follow, running February 15 through March 3. This hilarious show, which was written and developed by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, is filled with vignettes that look at life from a different angle. Lauren Drexler and Kathy Grey will reprise their roles, as they inhabit all of the denizens of this funny and touching play.

The next selection to hit the stage is The Oldest Profession by award-winning playwright Paula Vogel. This play follows a group of practitioners of the oldest profession as they age, and times and society change. This show plays March 22 through April 7.

The final play of the season is the winner of the 2005-06 New Play Contest. The Dunes, by Craig Pospisil, is a modern story inspired by Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard. This retelling focuses on Laura Robertson, a fading actress and matriarch who must come to grips with the reality of her life. This play will be performed April 19 through May 5.

For those who want to join the ranks of the conspiracy, a whole season of intrigue awaits. To find out more about Theatre Conspiracy, theatergoers can call the box office at (239) 936-3239 or log onto the Web site at www.theatreconspiracy.org.