20132014SEASON

MAINSTAGESEASON

COMEDY

Each year MET provides the community with dozens

of opportunities. From edgy theatre to family

programming and theatre classes, you’re bound to find

something to interest the entire family.

MET PROGRAMS

MET’s resident troupe, The Comedy Pigs, holds the title of the Mid-

Atlantic region’s longest running sketch comedy/improv show! In addition, MET brings you Laugh Station and more comedy events

throughout the season from regional comedy troupes and comedians!

MET brings inspiring, engaging entertaining theatre to downtown

Frederick, MD. Each season, we include six shows in our mainstage series.

MET’s intimate venue creates a visceral experience for performers

and audiences alike.

FAMILY THEATREOur Fun Company theatre series gives

families the opportunity to explore theatre together and gives many children their first

theatre experience.

MET offers many special events throughout the year, such as our yearly tour of

A Christmas Carol, our ever-popular RetroProm and our yearly

community-based summer projects.

The Ensemble School brings actor training to the MET litany of programs. Our success

preparing future theatre artists is evident as some of our previous students are now

professional actors in the region, Los Angeles and New York.

There’s Something for Everyone!

SPECIAL EVENTS

EDUCATION

SEPTEMBER 5 – 29Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 9/8 & 9/29 @ 7pm9/15 & 9/22 @ 2pm

From the scribes who brought you previous abridged works on Shakespeare, America and the Bible (all produced by MET) comes a seriously silly show biz satire. Giving Hollywood more than just a nip and a tuck, Completely Hollywood (abridged) cuts through the celluloid to condense the 186 greatest films in Hollywood’s over 100-year history into a complete compilation of classic cinematic clichés.

“A hilarious and speedy take on Hollywood’s highs and lows.” BBC

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BY REED MARTIN & AUSTIN TICHENORADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY DOMINIC CONTI

DIRECTED BY GENE FOUCHE‘ ‘

OCTOBER 17 – NOVEMBER 10Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 10/20 & 11/10 @ 7pm10/27 &11/3 @ 2pm

In 1890s England, Jack and Algy both use the name “Ernest” when they want to instill a little excitement into their lives. All goes as planned until the two use the pseudonym while falling in love with Gwendolyn and Cecily, threatening their romantic ventures. Paths cross and hilarity ensues in what is considered Wilde’s wittiest and finest comedy.

BY OSCAR WILDEDIRECTED BY JOE BRADY

THE IMPORTANCE OF

BEING EARNEST“Still one of the funniest plays in the English language.” The Hollywood Reporter

DECEMBER 5 – 29Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 12/8 & 12/29 @ 7pm12/15 & 12/22 @ 2pm

Based on the outlandish and true chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display, this hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. For mature audiences.

SANTALANDDIARIES BY DAVID SEDARIS

DIRECTED BY SUZANNE BEAL

“Sure to leave your sides splitting.” Broadway World

FEBRUARY 13 – MARCH 9Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 2/16 & 3/9 @ 7pm2/23 & 3/2 @ 2pm

A hilariously dark martial war of words between dysfunctional middle-aged couple, George and Martha, as they entertain a young professor and his wife. As the cocktails flow, the secrets spill and leave an indelible stain during an all-night battle of mind games and sexual intrigue. Albee’s Tony Award winning masterpiece still packs a punch as it builds to its climatic revelatory conclusion that has shocked audiences for years. For mature audiences.

BY EDWARD ALBEEDIRECTED BY PETER WRAY

WHO’S AFRAID OF

VIRGINIA WOOLF?“A brilliant original work of art.” Newsweek

APRIL 10 – MAY 4Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 4/13 & 5/4 @ 7pm4/27 @ 2pm

On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed an Irish Liberation Army enforcer’s cat. He’ll want to know who when he gets back from a stint of torture and chip-shop bombing in Northern Ireland. He loves his cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay. McDonagh’s “blackest, funniest, most violent, most absurd play to date.” (Financial Times) won of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy (2003). For mature audiences.

THE LIEUTENANT

OF INISHMOREBY MARTIN MCDONAGH

DIRECTED BY TAD JANES

“Horrific and hilarious.” The Hollywood Reporter

MAY 29 – JUNE 22Thu-Sat @ 8pm

Sun 6/1 & 6/22 @ 7pm6/8 & 6/15 @ 2pm

In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating “hysteria.” Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity, the play centers on a doctor and his wife and how his new therapy affects their entire household. For mature audiences.

BY SARAH RUHLDIRECTED BY JULIE HERBER

IN THE NEXT ROOMOR THE VIBRATOR PLAY

“A play that’s smart, delicate and very, very funny!” New York Post

ChristmasCarol

A

Bring in the holidays with MET’s annual tour of Dickens’ heart warming Christmas classic – in two locations!

Carroll Arts Center, Westminster – December 13-14410-848-7272 • carrollcountyartscouncil.org

Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick – December 20-22301-600-2828 • weinbergcenter.org

*Tickets for a Christmas Carol are not handled through the MET box office. Please call the individual theatre for tickets.

Come dance the night away at MET’s ever-popular 10th annual Retro Prom!

Saturday, March 29 • 7:00 -11:30pmWilliam R. Talley Recreation Center

121 N. Bentz St., Frederick

SPECIAL EVENTS

AT FREDERICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick

The everlasting classic account of two boys and a girl who follow Peter Pan and the fairy, Tinker Bell, into Never Land, where children never grow old and where Captain Hook and the pirates are outwitted. This version by the original writer is somewhat darker than the musical by the same name, so is recommended for ages 10 and up.

August 8 – 17 8/8, 8/9, 8/10, 8/15, 8/16, 8/17 @ 7pm • 8/10, 8/17 @ 2pm

By J.M. Barrie

MET produces dozens of eclectic special events at various locations throughout the year.

GO DOG GOAdapted by Steven Dietz & Allison Gregory, Music by Michael Koemer

September 14 – 29The dogs from the classic children’s book delve into life with gusto. They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a ferris wheel. They sing and dance and climb trees. A big and little musical world of doggy fun. Like a pop-up book that comes to life – and never stops.

JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS!Adapted by Allison Gregory Based on the Book by Barbara Park

November 30 – December 29Junie B. is a first grader with an attitude. The holiday sing-along should be fun, but when it’s time for the Secret Santa drawing, Junie B. picks the one person she’d rather not have – tattletale May. Don’t miss this family-friendly story, with a message about the importance of giving.

THE COMMEDIA PRINCESS AND THE PEA By Rebecca L. Byars and Lane Riosley

February 22 – March 15Arlequin is afraid he’ll be stuck playing the role of the pea, but he ends up getting to play the prince. The troupe romps through a series of hilarious princess tests with great slapstick humor! A fairy godmother in this story? Rosetta’s playing the role, whether the troupe likes it or not!

THE STAR STEALERA World Premiere by Catilyn Joy

June 7 – 29Bishop Magellan Orion wants to be an intrepid space explorer like his hero Xavier Zenith so he’s spending the summer in orbit before his parents send him off to the Intergalactic Academy. Soon, Bishop and his friends discover a greedy, star-stealing creature that threatens the entire universe!

FAMILY THEATRE

The Comedy Pigs2013-2014 Season

The Comedy Pigs Anniversary WeekendAug 23 & 24 @ 8pm

Sept 14 & 21 @ 10:30pmOct 4 & 5 @ 9pm

Oct 19 & 26 @ 10:30pmNov 15 & 16 @ 9pm

Jan 24, 25, 31, Feb 1 @ 8pmFeb 22 & March 1 @ 10:30pm

March 21 & 22 @ 9pmApril 19 & 26 @ 10:30pm

May 16 & 17 @ 9pmJune 14 & 21 @ 10:30pm

MET’s resident improv/sketch comedy troupe is back with a new season of gut wrenching fun!

Stay tuned throughout the season for other week-ends of comedy by some of the region’s funniest performers.

COMEDYComedy Pigs

The

LAUGH STATIONFrom the wacky worlds of Matt Lee and Jack Colliver, the hit live series Laugh Station will premiere more episodes throughout the year as the crew continues its mission thorughout comedy’s final frontier.

Check our website for additional dates to be announced!marylandensemble.org

Summer Theatre Camp

The Fun Company and The Ensemble School offer summer

theatre camp programs for ages 7-16. Choose from 4 different

2-week sessions.All camps include a final performance on

the last day.For information call the box office or visit

our website.

Classes in Acting • Improvisation • Musical Theatre • Auditioning

Movement • Voice and Speech • Special TopicsAges 7 to Adult

12-Week Sessions begin in September and FebruarySmall class sizes!

Call the Box Office or visit the website for a class schedule www.marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744From left: Photos 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9 by Joe Williams, photos 1, 2 & 4 by Misti Morningstar,

photo 5 by Bettina Strauss

EDUCATION

Important InformationSUPPORT MET

Make a tax deductible contribution! Be a corporate sponsor! Advertise in our Playbills! There are lots of ways to get involved! Call our box office at 301-694-4744 for more information.

LOCATIONMET is located at 31 West Patrick Street in the FSK Hotel in Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland. For directions, visit our website marylandensemble.org or call the box office at 301-694-4744. Our theatre is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs.

Downtown Frederick has numerous cultural offerings, visitor tours, wonderful shopping, antiquing and dining all quartered within a 16 block, nationally-renowned Arts and Entertainment District. For more information on Downtown Frederick, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County at fredericktourism.org or the Downtown Frederick Partnership at downtownfrederick.org.

SHOW DATES AND TIMESMainstage show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8pm and select Sunday matinees (2pm) and evening shows (7pm). FUN Company performances are on Saturdays and selected Sundays @ 2pm. Individual Tickets: $24/$20, Thursday evenings $15, $12 for Fun Company shows , $12 for Comedy Pigs shows. $1.50 service charge per ticket will be added.

MAINSTAGE SERIES TICKETSSeason Tickets: $110• One ticket for each of these shows: Completely Hollywood (abridged), The Importance of Being Earnest, Santaland Diaries, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play• A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show• A voucher for a Fun Company showTickets are show specific and not interchangeable.Flex Pass: $120• 6 tickets good for any of these shows: Completely Hollywood (abridged), The Importance of Being Earnest, Santaland Diaries, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play• A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show• A voucher for a Fun Company showTickets are NOT show specific and can be used for any MET Mainstage show

*Schedule subject to change

FUN COMPANY FAMILY THEATRE SERIES TICKETSSeason Tickets: $40• One ticket for each of these shows: Go Dog Go, Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, The Commedia Princess and the Pea, The Star Stealer

GROUP SALESDiscounts are available on group sales of ten or more tickets. Call 301-694-4744 for more information.

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301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org

301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS 2 GREAT WAYS TO BUY TICKETS AND SAVE!

SIMPLY FILL OUT THIS FORM, CALL THE BOX OFFICE, OR ORDER ONLINE: 301-694-4744 • MARYLANDENSEMBLE.ORG

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State __________ Zip _____________________________________________________

Phone _________________________________________ e-mail __________________________________________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Season Tickets, $110 each Save $56 $ _________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Flex Passes, $120 each Save $46 $ _________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Fun Company Season Tickets, $40 each $ _________________

Handling Charge $ _________________

Enclosed is a tax deductible contribution $ _________________

Total Enclosed $ _________________

Check Enclosed

Charge my (circle one) Visa Mastercard Discover

Card Number ________________________________________________________________ Expires __________________

Signature _____________________________________ ________________________________________________________Mail to Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

2.50

SEASON TICKETSPurchase Season Tickets and see six MET Mainstage plays for just $110. You’ll save $56 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets). Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable.

FLEX PASSThe Flex Pass is six tickets for any MET plays of your choice and can be purchased for $120. Whether you use all six tickets on a given evening, or throughout the season, you’ll save $46 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets).

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDFrederick, MDPermit #597

31 w patrick st • frederick, md 21701marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744