Production Date Change: Company of Fools presents Life Sucks
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Company of Fools will move forward with the first play of their 22nd season this summer, Life Sucks by Aaron Posner. In light of the recent passing of Company of Fools Co-Founder and Artistic Director, John Glenn, opening night has been delayed until July 6. With deep consideration of this significant and emotional loss, the company determined that moving forward with the play’s production was exactly what was needed to honor the incredible vision and life of John Glenn. The production will provide an opportunity for the community, The Fools, and The Center to mourn and celebrate through the healing medium of theatre and storytelling. The new production dates for the Life Sucks are July 6 through July 19.
John Glenn was scheduled to direct the play, but Ilana Becker, Associate Artistic Director, has accepted the role as Co-Director, a title that will be shared with Glenn, in recognition of his deep involvement and inspired vision with this particular play.
“As Artistic Director of Company of Fools, John Glenn selected the 22nd season along with Ilana Becker, COF Associate Artistic Director, and was keen on Life Sucks as part of a group of plays that focus on our connection to community,” said Kristin Poole, Artistic Director, Sun Valley Center for the Arts. “John’s unexpected death in early June was a significant loss for the Wood River Valley, The Center and the family that is Company of Fools. We are grateful to Ilana for agreeing to direct the play in John’s vision. As we grieve the loss of our amazing colleague, friend and mentor, we are enormously grateful to the actors, designers, managers, and staff whose courage and commitment to John Glenn, Company of Fools and this valley affirms the essential nature of community.”
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Company of Fools remain committed to creating theatre at The Liberty in John’s vision, which is driven by the power of the theatrical experience to connect artist and audience, telling stories that engage, inspire, entertain and transform.
The complete cast of LIFE SUCKS includes Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, Chris Carwithen, Cleo Gray, Neysa Lozano, Joel Vilinsky, and founding company member, Denise Simone.
The production will feature scenic design by resident designer Joe Lavigne, lighting design by Mike Inwood, costume design by Maria Gerhardt, props and sound design by resident production manager K.O. Ogilvie, and stage management by Anne Huston.
ABOUT THE PLAY
From the mind of award-winning playwright Aaron Posner comes a celebratory play about the foibles of humanity. In this fiercely playful reworking of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, a group of old friends, ex-lovers, and estranged family gather over a weekend to grapple with life’s thorniest questions, each other, and you. What could possibly go wrong? Heartfelt but never sentimental; full of endless amazement and wonder; and always, always tipping toward more love, hope, passion and perseverance, Life Sucks draws you in and doesn’t let go. Never has unhappiness been so much fun.
ABOUT COMPANY OF FOOLS
Since 1996, Company of Fools (COF) has produced high quality plays, musicals, and new work along with substantial arts-in-education programming in Sun Valley, Idaho. A member of Theatre Communications Group, COF has always put an emphasis on the connection between theatre and community, a commitment to excellence in acting and design, and the signature intimacy of its home, the Liberty Theatre. COF has been recognized for its significant contributions to the arts, receiving the Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2004 and being honored as Arts Advocate of the Year by the Sun Valley/Ketchum and Hailey Chambers of Commerce in 2009. Founding members Denise Simone and John Glenn are both individual recipients of the Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts — Simone in 2014 and Glenn in 2016. In 2013, COF merged with the Sun Valley Center for the Arts — a multifaceted organization that is an accredited art museum that also presents educational programs, music, dance, and film screenings in venues around the Wood River Valley — to become what is now the largest arts institution in the state of Idaho.
The production of Life Sucks is generously sponsored by Jeri Wolfson.
Company of Fools’ 22nd season sponsors are The Shubert Foundation, Greg Carr, Linda & Bob Edwards, Ken Lewis, Scott Miley Roofing, Priscilla Pittiglio, Linda & Bill Potter, Mary Ann & John Underwood, Anonymous and media sponsor The Weekly Sun
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Aaron Posner is a Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award-winning director and playwright. He is a founder and former Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre, is an Associate Artist at both the Folger Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and has directed at major regional theatres from coast to coast including the Folger, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, The Alliance, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Arizona Theatre Company, Milwaukee Rep, California Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Roundhouse Theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Theatre J, American Player’s Theatre and many more. His adaptations include Chaim Potok’s The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev; Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion; Mark Twain’s A Murder, a Mystery, and a Marriage; an adaptation of three Kurt Vonnegut short stories, entitled Who Am I This Time? (& Other Conundrums of Love); and Stupid F*#king Bird, a variation on Chekhov’s The Seagull. Aaron was raised in Eugene, Oregon, graduated from Northwestern University, is an Eisenhower Fellow, and lives near Washington, D.C.
REVISED PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Thursday, July 6……….7PM OPENING NIGHT “Pay What You Feel Night”
Friday, July 7……….8PM
Saturday, July 8……….8PM “Girls Night Out”
Sunday, July 9……….7PM “Backstage Tour/Post-Show Chat Back”
Monday, July 10……….7PM
Wednesday, July 12……….7PM
Thursday, July 13……….7PM
Friday, July 14……….8PM
Saturday, July 15……….8PM
Sunday, July 16……….7PM
Tuesday, July 18……….7PM
Wednesday, July 19……….7PM
BEYOND THE CURTAIN SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:
Learn, explore, and have fun with Company of Fools. Take advantage of these interesting ways to engage with theatre and the current performance on a deeper level:
“Pay What You Feel” Night – Thu, July 6, 7pm
Join us for the first performance of Life Sucks and literally pay whatever you’d like! Tickets go on sale at the Liberty Theatre box office one hour prior to the performance. These seats are general admission. Simply buy your ticket, find a seat and enjoy the show. If you’d prefer to reserve your seats in advance, you may also purchase your tickets at full price for this performance.
“Girls’ Night Out” – Sat, July 8, 8pm
Going to the theatre has gotten even more fun! This performance offers a pre-show happy ½-hour with discounted wine, beer, and bubbly; deals at local partner restaurants; and a chance to win fabulous prizes.
“Backstage Tour/Post-Show Chat Back” – Sun, July 9, 7pm (immediately following the performance)
Enjoy a thought-provoking discussion with the artists of Life Sucks and a behind-the-scenes tour with COF’s resident set designer Joe Lavigne.
“10 for 10″
Ten seats are sold for $10 each, on each night, at the box office starting one hour prior to the performance. Limit two tickets per person.
TICKET INFORMATION
- $35 for members of The Center / $40 for nonmembers
- $35 for seniors (62 and over)
- $15 for students (with student ID)
- $35 for members of a group (8 or more)
* Ticket prices do not include taxes or processing fees.
These ticket prices do not include the “Pay What You Feel” preview, 10 for $10, and Educator Night. There is also a SPECIAL GROUP RATE — groups of 8 or more receive $35 tickets (a $5 savings, per ticket, if you are not a member of The Center!)
Tickets may be purchased online at sunvalleycenter.org, by phone at 208.578.9122 or at the Liberty Theatre box office starting one hour prior to curtain. Company of Fools’ box office is located at the Liberty Theatre, 110 N. Main Street in Hailey, with hours from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. All seats are reserved, except for the “Pay What You Feel” preview.