This evening, Springs Ensemble Theatre–our city’s newest theater company–held their official launch party at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs. And at it, they announced their inaugural season. Though it includes only three plays, it promises to shake up the local theater community. The works are not only fresh–none of them are believed to have ever been performed in this area–but they’re refreshingly edgy.

For now, all productions are scheduled to take place at Atomic Elroy’s 50-seat performance venue, WATCH THIS SPACE, 218 W. Colorado.

Talk Radio
By Eric Bogosian
February 11-February 27

An intensely visceral work about Barry Champlain, a late night shock jock and the “nut jobs and psychos” who call in to his show. Champlain alternately seduces, berates and condemns them in an attempt to exorcise a self-hatred he won’t admit to.

Can’t wait to see who gets casted in this demanding, tour-de-force role.

Glengarry Glen Ross
by David Mamet
July 15-July 31

Mamet’s riveting ensemble piece about real estate agents willing to do anything to save their jobs, still timely 27 years after it was written. And yeah, they made a really good film out of it in 1992, but come on. The movie didn’t win any Pulitzer Prize.

keepingabreast
By Jackie Rosenfeld
October 7-October 23

What makes this 2006 play the edgiest of the three is that it tries to find a little humor in the very serious issue of breast cancer. When 28-year-old Mina is advised by her doctor to have a mastectomy, she interviews everyone she can find–including her friends, her parents, a stripper and a porn shop employee–to help her decide what to do.

Not only has this work never been performed in Colorado Springs, but it’s never been performed in Colorado period. SET’s Steve Emily hopes to bring Rosenfeld here for talkbacks with the audiences.

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