News
“Echobell” reading with Senses Askew Company (New York)
Posted May 15, 2012 | View Post
Jeff Nichols’ play, “Echobell,” will be receiving a reading with Senses Askew Company in New York, NY on May 30. The performance will include 5 new works to be read during the evening. You can read more about Senses Askew Company and the details of the reading here.
“Echobell” was recently performed locally by Ghostbridge Theatre as a part of Theatre Terra Firma’s “Emerging: New Works by a New Generation.”
We’re so excited about the reading and hope to connect with great people!
Ghostbridge now has a Fiscal Sponsor!
Posted April 14, 2012 | View Post
We just received very exciting news a couple days ago. Ghostbridge Theatre was accepted into Springboard for the Arts Incubator: A Fiscal Sponsorship Program! We will be considered an “incubating” company with intents of becoming a non-profit (even though this program does not require the intent to incorporate as a non-profit.) With fiscal sponsorship, we will be able to apply for some non-profit specific grants, as well as receive tax deductible donations. Plus a whole bunch of other benefits for the good of our mission!
We are blessed to be in such a supportive arts community in which an organization like Springboard even exists!
Echobell playing this February in St. Paul
Posted February 22, 2012 | View Post
Jeff Nichols’ short play, Echobell, will be playing for one weekend this February as part of Theatre Terra Firma‘s “Emerging: New Works by a New Generation.” Echobell follows three women living in complete darkness. As part of the Sound Tribe, they eagerly await the return of Full Light to their world.
More detailed information can be found in the Projects section at www.ghostbridgetheatre.org.
Audience Member Review of “Ask the Question”
Posted November 9, 2011 | View Post
On Thursday November 3 I attended the opening of ghostbridge theatre’s Ask the Question at Bryant Lake Bowl. Just looking for a quick rating? Eight out of ten—outstanding—some of the best theatre I’ve seen in the Twin Cities. Where too many shows are primarily flippant escapism, Ask the Question reaches toward an ethos of weight balanced by humor. Get your tickets now for either of the remaining Thursday evening shows.
The structure is incredibly clear without being blocky—this show has flow. An opening patter of interweaving lines spoken by all the characters communicates depth and a sense of surprise, setting up the work to come. While the intense and information-dense opening text flutters by, each character repeats a unique gesture that inaudibly sinks right to heart of what that character represents or holds dear. This opening draws the audience immediately into the world of the play. No clunky exposition here! I found myself imperceptibly leaning forward to make the mental connections faster, to catch the hints rapidly dropped by the rhythmic interplay of text and iconic gesture.
The playwright and director Jeff Nichols has an exacting sense of timing. For me, it was just at the right moment that this opening blur of overlapping text moved into a series of monologues. I will refrain from spoiling the meta-theatrical surprises that unfold from one monologue to the next. How are an author, a Pakistani prisoner, a cult leader, and a young veteran connected? See the show, and find out.
Particularly memorable and compelling were spoken word performances by Aly Westberg as the character of The Author, as well as the gorgeous and subtle insertion of musical director Karen Elaine Massey’s voice as a nostalgic childhood memory of The Author. Alex Cotant disturbingly found the humanity in the character of The Initiated One. Actor, director, and script powerfully combined to push my empathy buttons even for such an obviously messed up megalomaniac.
Touchingly edgy and realistic is the depiction by Christian DeMarais of Iraq war veteran Alex Dobson who has found a tenuous niche back at home as a museum security guard. His attempts to protect the art at all costs are a bit scary, not to mention his genuinely vulnerable reaching out to (or hitting on) a young art history co-ed researching her paper at the museum.
There are two shows left, both on Thursdays: November 10 and November 17. Get there before 6pm to ensure your seat and to catch Happy Hour: $3 domestic taps, $4 select taps, house wines, rail cocktails, and $4.25 appetizers. Make a date night of it, and grab dinner fresh from local farms like my wife and I did—BLB has food and drink service in the theater!
Ask the Question premiered in 2008 at The Marsh in San Francisco. Do not miss its limited run here in Minneapolis.