High Noon Saloon

Saturday, June 20, 8pm

$10 Suggested Donation

Mercury Players Theatre is ready to Rock Into Summer!
Join us for a night of music, caburlesque, comedy, surprises and more!

Featuring:

Weapons of Mass DeFunktion

Foxy Veronica’s Peach Pies

Roast Beef

DJ Bad Sister Heidi

Season Info, Volunteer Info, and Other Cool Stuff!

Help Mercury celebrate the start of its 14th season bringing Madison great productions of original and lesser-known works. Connect with old friends, enjoy a night of wonderful entertainment, and help support local artists in bringing great theatre experiences to the community.

In the Beginning: A Musical Comedy
By Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn
Directed by Catherine Capellaro
Music Directed by Andrew Rohn

CREATIONISTS BEWARE! Mercury Players is thrilled to present the newest full-length musical satire by Madison's own Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn (BLASPHEMY!, WALMARTOPIA, TEMP SLAVE). IN THE BEGINNING cleverly explores evolurion versus creationism in a spoof for the whole family (ages 6+). Set in an Edenic Paradise with singing-and-dancing animals, a fundamentalist Adam, a free-spirited Eve and fish with legs. A zany alternative theory of our origin.
Rehearsals the second half of July and all of August. Show opens Sept. 4.

AUDITIONS
Sunday June 28th and Monday June 29th
7-9 pm at the Bartell Community Theater
113 E. Mifflin St.
Madison, WI

We are casting the following:
-8 animal chorus members: adults and youth 12 and up
- a male ape, any race, 30-55)
-Skipper (male or androgynous, a crooning fish, any age or race)

AUDITIONERS:
* Please come prepared to read from the script.
* Bring sheet music and be prepared to sing 16 bars of music with an accompanist.
* Dress in loose clothing and be prepared to dance. You will be taught a simple dance routine.

2009-2010 SEASON

FOR PHONE RESERVATIONS: 661-9696 x5
FOR ADVANCE TICKETS: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

Special Presentation: Tearoom Tango
2009 New York International Fringe Festival Participant
By: Douglas Holtz
Directed by: Jess Witham
August 7–15 (Fri and Sat ONLY) Drury Stage, Bartell Theater, 113 E. Mifflin St.

No names, No pickup line, No strings and No way out. Mercury Players is proud producer of this original work by one of our very own. Douglas Holtz's provocative play Tearoom Tango explores the lure of anonymous sex in bathrooms. Only 4 chances to join us for a Bon-Voyage-Send-Off of the show before it heads to New York as a participant in the 2009 Fringe Festival.
Advance tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/68886


In the Beginning: A Musical Comedy
By Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn
Directed by Catherine Capellaro
Music Directed by Andrew Rohn
Sept 4 – 26 Drury Stage, Bartell Theater, 113 E. Mifflin St.

CREATIONISTS BEWARE! Mercury Players is thrilled to present the newest full-length musical satire by Madison's own Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn (BLASPHEMY!, WALMARTOPIA, TEMP SLAVE). IN THE BEGINNING cleverly explores evolution versus creationism in a spoof for the whole family (ages 6+). Set in an Edenic Paradise with singing-and-dancing animals, a fundamentalist Adam, a free-spirited Eve and fish with legs. A zany alternative theory of our origin.


Vin
By Stephen House
Directed by Pete Rydberg
Oct 9 – 24 Merc Lab, 930 N. Fair Oaks
Two disadvantaged youth long for an escape, and a grifter named Vin has the perfect plan. This hour long theatre for mature audiences (16+) probes the hard reality and desires of the adolescent confronting a dangerous and confounding future.
"The play's language rings with the rough and brutal rhetoric of House's characters - crude and defiant, gentle and achingly real."
-The Canberra Times


1SW33T R1DE
By Rob Matsushita
Directed by Jessica Jane Witham
Nov 20 – Dec 12
Merc Lab, 930 N. Fair Oaks
One of Madison's favorite playwrights returns with a stylistic departure. 1SW33T R1DE is a psychological thriller set in the aftermath of a harrowing act of violence. A young woman must make an impossible decision.


Fat Men in Skirts
By Nicky Silver
Directed by: Monty Marsh
Jan 22 – Feb 13 Evjue Stage, Bartell Theater, 113 E. Mifflin St.

Fat Men in Skirts is an unconventional love story to say the least. This darkly funny comedy explores human fragility under the most extreme conditions. A plane crash, two lone survivors, cannibalism, incest, and a re-entry into normal society -- what more could you ask for from a night of dark comedy?


Mercury Rising: A New Play Competition
By 8 winning playwrights
Directed by: Martinique Barthel, JS Fauquet,
George Gonzalez, and Molly Vanderlin
April 16 – May 1 Evjue Stage, Bartell Theater, 113 E. Mifflin St.

The eight best and brightest one-acts submitted for this season's new play competition. Martinique Barthel, JS Fauquet, George Gonzalez, and Molly Vanderlin direct the winners - and we’re only accepting the hysterically funny. So grab your friends, get your drink from the lobby, and get ready to laugh until you cry!


Poona the Fuck Dog and Other Plays for Children
By Jeff Goode
Directed by Douglas Holtz
May 28 – June 12 Merc Lab, 930 N. Fair Oaks

A Fairy God Penis, invading aliens, a sassy shrub and a cameo by God (who will answer any question for five bucks) are but a few of the amazing encounters in this fairy tale for GROWN-UPS ONLY. Join Poona the Fuck Dog as she takes you on a quest to find someone to play in her big pink box. Arf!


Smackdown (Round 4) and XI Annual Blitz
By various playwrights
Directed by various directors
June 18 and June 19 Drury Stage, Bartell Theater, 113 E. Mifflin St.

Smackdown spawned from our original Blitz. The theory is the same: from page to stage in 24 hours. Only this Blitz hybrid is for our Veterans. Only the best of the best may contend in hand to hand, or shall we say pen to pen combat. Will past opponents be able to defend their titles or will a new winner be crowned? Your vote decides who will take home the Smackdown Championship Belt.

For the past 11 seasons Mercury Players has indulged in the unique creative chaos called Blitz! We challenge ourselves to Write, Produce, Rehearse and Perform 8 original shows within 24 hours. Mad-genius ensues and everyone, participants and audience alike, have a Blitz-Blast!

YAY! Fundraiser for MERCURY Sat., June 20

Local musicians and performers join together to raise money for Mercury Players Theatre, your favorite independent theater company. Weapons of Mass Defunktion pulls influences from all walks of music including funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, rock and reggae. Their live show brings an intense, groove that fills the crowd with energy and an all around positive vibe that makes your body rock! Foxy Veronica’s Peach Pies will be performing their steamy caburlesque. Roast Beef will provide the rock, while DJ Bad Sister Heidi from WORT’s Psychoacoustics gets the night started.

Saturday, June 20th, 8 pm, $10 donation, 21 and up
High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave, Madison, WI
For more information contact: withjessa@yahoo.com

SEE "TEAROOM TANGO" IN AUGUST

Douglas Holtz's Tearoom Tango, which was presented last November at our very own MercLab, is going to New York! This drama-thriller, which delved into the minds of men who have anonymous sex in public bathrooms, was accepted by the New York Fringe Festival. Local performances in August will precede the trip to N.Y. Congratulations to Doug, director Jess Witham, and the cast and crew of Tearoom Tango!

Performances at the Bartell: Fri & Sat., Aug. 7 & 8, 14 & 15 - $15

RESERVATIONS: (608) 661-9696 x5

ADVANCE TICKETS CLICK HERE

PLAY COMPETITION

15 for 15

A Play Competition

Mercury Rising

Performances: April 16-May 1, 2010

Calling All Playwrights!

Mercury Players is now accepting play submissions for our

3rd biannual new play competition!

This is your opportunity to have your Funniest Piece

Produced by Madison’s Hottest Theater Company.

We’re selecting 8 writers for 15 Minutes of Fame in our 15th Season!

8 Winning scripts will receive full production!

Rules:

1. Playwrights must be current residents of our randomly determined Midwest region, including: WI, MN, IA, MO, IL, IN, MI, OH (Congratulations qualifying states!)

2. Write and Submit a brilliant 15-minute Comedy.

3. Include a cover page with your name, contact information and the title of your play.

3. Send your hilarity to: P.O. Box 3113 Madison, WI 53705

Or email Submissions to: merc_rising_15@yahoo.com

Electronic copies should be sent in Microsoft Word or PDF. No Materials will be returned.

5. You may submit up to 2 scripts for NO FEE!

Each script after that will cost $5 for consideration!

Please include a check or money order made out to: Mercury Players Theatre

6. All submissions must be postmarked on or before: September 1, 2009.

Late entries will NOT be accepted!

Winners will be notified by December 1, 2009