"THE PILLOWMAN" coming to the QC...

My Verona Productions to present “The Pillowman” May 26 – June 3

My Verona Productions, the area’s premiere independent theatre company that has brought you last season’s smash hit drama “Closer” and David Sedaris’ hilarious “Santaland Diaries,” is starting their summer off with a bang. Join them as they produce the Midwest independent theatre debut of Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman.”

“The Pillowman” is an exhilarating and viciously funny new comedy-drama about a fiction writer who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories, and their similarities to a number of bizarre incidents occurring in his town.

Written by Tony/Oscar winning playwright/director Martin McDonagh, the play is a brilliantly idiosyncratic, Kafka-esque exploration of the role of artists and artistic responsibility in contemporary culture. Set in a totalitarian state, a series of child murders spurs authorities to arrest and detain a horror writer, Katurian, whose works parallel the gruesome details of the murders. But did Katurian do it? That's the big question.

“The Pillowman” had its world premiere on November 13, 2003 at The National Theatre, where it quickly became one of the most sought after theatrical events in London's West End. It received the 2004 Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Award nomination for Best New Play. “The Pillowman” made its critically acclaimed US premiere on April 10, 2005 at the Booth Theatre in New York starring Jeff Goldblum and Billy Crudup. McDonagh's heart pounding drama received 6 Tony nominations, including Best Play.

The Rock Island production comes months before the Chicago and Minneapolis mountings making My Verona’s production the Midwest independent theatre debut. “It’s exciting to see our area getting a show before Chicago,” co-founder Tristan Tapscott said. Co-Founder and Director Sean Leary added, “We are thrilled to bring this exhilarating work to our audience.” “I have been working with Dramatists Play Service in New York since the show closed on Broadway (in September) to make this happen. We finally got the official word in February and we were ecstatic,” Tapscott added.

“We will be the first non-professional ‘indie’ theatre to obtain the rights in 2006,” Leary said. Tapscott added, “When we get the show it will have only played in London, New York, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Houston, and New Brunswick.” Leary quickly noted that, “After we produce it, the show will then play throughout the next year in Chicago, Portland, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and several locations in Canada.”

My Verona’s “The Pillowman” will feature "SantaLand Diaries" star Adam Michael Lewis as Katurian, Circa ’21 favorite Tom Walljasper as Ariel, local theatre mainstay Chris Browne as Tupolski, MVP co-founder Tristan Tapscott as Michal, and newcomer Carrie Clark as the Little Girl. MVP co-founder and award winning writer/critic Sean Leary will direct the production.

“The Pillowman” will open May 26 and run through June 3 at Comedy Sportz Theater in the District.

“The Pillowman” is rated R.

Shows are 10:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Comedy Sportz Theater, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be $12. For more info call (309) 786-7733, ext. 2.
Check out www.myveronaproductions.com, seanleary.com, or
www.myspace.com/myverona for further information

My Verona is paid solely by its founders, Sean Leary and Tristan Tapscott. Why? For the fun of it, for the creative experience and because they want people to see these excellent shows. All the shows we bring in are area, if not regional or Midwest, debuts.

"SPANK! One Night. One Monkey."

My Verona presenting “Spank. One Night. One Monkey.” on April 28

My Verona Productions, the QC’s very own indie theatre, will begin its exciting third season by bringing the area yet another new stage show…

MVP will kick off their 2006 season with a one night only engagement of “Spank. One Night. One Monkey.” In the vein of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, “Spank.” is an R-rated comedy by Dave and Darren from the 97 Rock morning show

"Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchell and Shari Lewis are all amateurs in comparison to this," says 97 Rock morning host Dave Levora about his upcoming show "Spank! One Night. One Monkey," featuring the foul-mouthed sock simian famous for its off-color humor. "It's a puppet show, yes, but your kids are not welcome to see it."

Spank, a recurring character on the Dave and Darren radio show (airing 5:30 to 10 a.m. weekdays on 96.9 FM) will present a "blue" vaudeville standup routine, songs and a question-and-answer session with co-host Darren Pitra.

"He's been in the business forever -- he's a monkey-about-town," Levora said of the title character. "His love of the audience's laughter is surpassed only by his love of dry martinis and gorgeous birds. Can you call this monkey a swinger? You damn well better, baby.

"Will he make you laugh? Yes. Will he make you think? It's probably better if you didn't.

"Is it offensive? Unapologetically so. Is it juvenile? Only if you don't get it, loser," Levora added.

The adult comedy presented by 97 Rock’s Dave and Darren and My Verona Productions will debut Friday, April 28 at Comedy Sportz, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Doors open at 9:30 p.m., the show begins at 10. Admission is FREE.

For more information, see www.daveanddarren.com, www.myspace.com/myverona or www.myveronaproductions.com.

Watch for details on the rest of My Verona’s eclectic season… which include the Midwest independent theatre debut of “The Pillowman” opening May 26.

Finally... TOP 10 in 2005...

TOP 10 Picks from the 2005 Oscar Season:

1. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

2. THE SQUID AND THE WHALE

3. CAPOTE

4. WALK THE LINE

5. HUSTLE AND FLOW

6. WAR OF THE WORLDS

7. JUNEBUG

8. HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

9. THE LIBERTINE

10. 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN

(Note: I have yet to see MUNICH and SYRIANA. I know, I know... I'm a loser.)

My Verona announces 3rd consecutive season of contemporary theatre

My Verona announces 3rd consecutive season of contemporary theatre

Critics have hailed their productions as “sharp”, “innovative”, “exhilarating”, and “simply too good to miss.” Others (and even sometimes the same critics) have called other shows they’ve done “smug”, “ridiculous”, and “different.” In a single season they've produced “one of the best dramas of the year” and ““the biggest creators-vs.-critics conflicts of the year.” …And just when you thought that they might have given up,the Quad-Cities' much-talked-about indie theatre My Verona is back with a full season of new works.

My Verona’s third season will see the independent theatre premiere of
“The PIllowman” by Tony/Oscar winner Martin McDonagh, the return of Joe
Manetello’s hilarious adaptation of David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries,” and a plethora of other area premieres.

The season will kick off with a one night only engagement of “Spank. One Night. One Monkey.” In the vein of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, “Spank.” is an R-rated comedy by Dave and Darren from the 97 Rock morning show. It'll feature the famous sock monkey puppet doing a blue stand-up routine and then taking questions from the audience.

“Spank” will take the stage at 10 p.m. Friday, April 28 at Comedy Sportz Theater in the District. Admission is free.

“Spank” is rated R.

My Verona’s summer will begin with the anticipated independent theatre
premiere of the acclaimed 2005 Broadway hit “The Pillowman.” Written by
Tony/Oscar winning playwright/director Martin McDonagh, the play is A
brilliantly idiosyncratic, Kafka-esque exploration of the role of artists and artistic responsibility in contemporary culture. Set in a totalitarian state, a series of child murders spurs authorities to arrest and detain a horror writer, Katurian, whose works parallel the gruesome details of the murders. But did Katurian do it? That's the big question.

“The Pillowman” will open May 26 and run through June 3 at Comedy
Sportz Theater in the District. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12.

“The Pillowman” is rated R.

August will see another QC first when My Verona will present its very sincere salute to legendary playwright David Mamet. 2 actors. 75 minutes. All Mamet. “Blue Hour: City Sketches: A Night of David Mamet,” will feature 14 scenes and monologues by the 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning author that Mamet himself considers to some of the best writing he has ever done.

“Blue Hour: City Sketches: A Night of David Mamet" will open August 4 and run through August 12 at Comedy Sportz Theater in the District. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.

“Blue Hour” is rated PG-13.

Next up is The Non-Conformist's Double-Bill. It will feature Eric Bogosian's ``Sex, Drugs Rock N Roll'' and Bill Hicks' ``It's Just A Ride.'' Adam Michael Lewis and Jason Conner will rock the stage with the edgy works of two of the greatest comic writers of the last two decades.

“Sex, Drugs, Rock N Roll” and “It’s Just a Ride” will open September 22
and run through September 30 at Comedy Sportz Theater in the District.
Shows are Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.

“Sex, Drugs…” and “It’s Just a Ride” is rated R.

And then for something completely different... My Verona will team up with Ballet Quad-Cities to present the second annual “Ballet Rocks.” Combining classical dance choreographed to modern rock, alternative and pop music provided by area bands, Ballet Rocks features the music of QC favorite The Metrolites.

“Ballet Rocks” runs October 7 through October 15 at the Capitol Theater, Davenport. Times and ticket prices are t.b.a.

Rounding out our third consecutive season is the return of our popular holiday show, “SantaLand Diaries” starring Adam Michael Lewis. Joe Mantello’s adapatation of David Sedaris’ “SantaLand” is a one man show about a thirtysomething aspiring soap opera star who finds himself desperate and has to work as an elf at Macy's over the holidays. What ensues is a hilarious trip through the bizarre, goofy underbelly of retail life in the Christmas season.

Directed by the lauded Michael Oberfield, My Verona's Production of David Sedaris' ``SantaLand Diaries'' was a hit in 2005! Critics and audiences raved about the ``superb'' performance of star Adam Lewis and called the show ``hilarious.''

“SantaLand Diaries” opens November 17 and runs through November 26 at
Comedy Sportz in the District. Friday and Saturday shows are at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday shows are at 7:30 p.m.

“SantaLand'' is rated PG-13 for some adult language.

All My Verona performances are held at Comedy Sportz Theatre, 1818 3rd
Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois. Tickets are available at the door beginning 30 minutes before show time, at the Circa ’21 Box Office or by calling (309) 786-7733, ext. 2.

For more information, see www.myveronaproductions.com,
www.myspace.com/myverona, or the My Verona page on seanlaery.com.

My Verona is paid solely by its founders, Sean Leary and Tristan
Tapscott. Why? For the fun of it, for the creative experience and because
they want people to see these excellent shows. All the shows we bring in are area, if not regional or Midwest, debuts.