New Century Theatre

Northampton Massachusetts

www.newcenturytheatre.org

BOX OFFICE

413-585-3220

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New Century Theatre was founded by Sam Rush and playwright Jack Neary in 1991 -- their goal at the time was to make it to the new century -- hence the name. This summer NCT celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season, however, NCT's original artistic goal remains: to produce new works, area premieres and classic dramas and comedies that may not have been produced in a while. NCT produces four summer productions plus PaintBox Theatre, operating in residence at the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts on the Smith College campus.

BOX OFFICE  (413) 585-3220

2011 - 2012

HOME |ABOUT US | CONTACT US| PRESS  & the Smith College Department of Theatre present   Based on NICKEL AND DIMED, ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA by Barbara Ehrenreich   Directed by Sam Rush   featuring Sara Whitcomb and James Emery   Based on NICKEL AND DIMED, ON (NOT) GETTING BY Press Release  September 29, 2011 For Immediate Release Contact: Sam Rush, New Century Theatre 413-587-3933   New Century Theatre and Smith College Theatre DepartmentJoin Forces for First-Ever Co-Production on October 20th NORTHAMPTON, MA - September is normally a slow month for New Century Theatre. The company recently wrapped up their very successful 21st summer season with the Tracy Letts' play SUPERIOR DONUTS. Instead the Northampton-based company has just started rehearsals at Smith College on a first-ever co-production with the Smith College Theatre Department. NCT and Smith are collaborating on an adaptation of the Barbara Ehrenreich bestseller NICKEL AND DIMED, ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA. Adapted by Joan Holden and directed by NCT Producing Director Sam Rush, the production features veteran NCT actors Sara Whitcomb and James Emery, who will perform with nine student actors. James Emery, Trenda Loftin, Sara Whitcomb in NICKEL AND DIMED Written from the perspective of the undercover journalist, Barbara Ehrenreich's book sets out to investigate the impact of the 1996 welfare reform on the "working poor" in the United States. NICKEL AND DIMED reveals low-wage America in all its tenacity, anxiety, and surprising generosity -- a land of Big Boxes, fast food, and a thousand desperate strategies for survival. One day author Barbara Ehrenreich decided to join millions of Americans who work for poverty-level wages, inspired in part by the welfare reform rhetoric which promised that any job equals a better life. But how can anyone survive, let alone prosper, on $6 to $7 an hour? To find out, Ehrenreich moved from Florida to Maine to Minnesota, taking the cheapest lodgings available and accepting work as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart salesperson. She soon discovered that even the "lowliest" occupations require exhausting mental and physical efforts. And one job is not enough; you need at least two if you intend to live indoors. Time Magazine calls Joan Holden's adaptation, "A rare example of theater that tries to open people's eyes to the way of life lived in the real world - and maybe even rouse them to action." Like the book, the play uses humor to help portray with painful clarity the struggles of America's working poor. "The subject matter of this play couldn't be more timely," says Sam Rush. "The middle class is becoming less and less reflective of the way much of the real America is living. So many people are living paycheck to paycheck and have to work longer hours and multiple jobs just to make ends meet. NICKEL AND DIMED is a wonderful conversation about class issues in America." WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE:  NICKEL AND DIMED by Joan Holden Based on NICKEL AND DIMED, ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA  by Barbara Ehrenreich Directed by Sam Rush   Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts 122 Green Street Smith College, Northampton, MA   Thursday-Saturday, October 20-22, 8:00 PM     Wednesday-Saturday, October 26-29, 8:00 PM Smith College Box Office Hours:    Monday-Friday 1:00-4:00pm 413.585.3220 or 413.585.ARTS (2787) boxoffice@smith.edu Purchase tix online!   Reserved Seating: $15 General $8 Students/Seniors $3 Smith College Students Wednesday, October 26: Bring a non-perishable food donation for the  Northampton Survival Center and get a ticket for only $1!   Backstage Access: Experience the real-life dramedy of New Century Theatre  via our Backstage Blog, Twitter & Facebook! OUR OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS   Friday, November 4th - Trivia Night! On Friday Nov 4th, NCT presents its 1st Annual Trivia Night from 7-9 at the WW II Club in Northampton. Tom McCabe will be the Master of Ceremonies! Quick as lightening, teams with themes will answer trivia questions about Entertainment! Check our website soon or email us for more information or to sign up to play. You can subscribe online to our 2012 summer season!

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NCT's 21st Season, 2011

 

CLICK BELOW FOR REVIEWS
Painting Churches, June 16-25

By Tina Howe

Margaret Church's successful career as an artist is on the rise while the lives of her aging Pulitzer Prize-winning poet father and eccentric mother, are on the wane. She journeys home to help them pack up their Beacon Hill house and, with a little bit of persuading, get them to pose for a portrait. As the daughter and parents sort through cherished family heirlooms, they uncover long hidden memories and rediscover the love that binds them together. What emerges in Tina Howe's award winning play is a radiant dramatic comedy that The New York Times called "A theatrical family portrait that has the shimmer and depth of Renoir portraits."

Distracted

June 30- July 9

By Lisa Loomer

What's the matter with nine-year-old Jesse? He won't sit still in school, he has inappropriate outbursts, and he won't get in or out of his pajamas. His teachers think its ADHD. His dad thinks he's just a boy. Mama thinks she'll find the answer on the Internet, in a doctor's office or even in the food he eats. The Associated Press calls DISTRACTED "A smartly comic, sharply observant and surprisingly humane play." Lisa Loomer, author of THE WAITING ROOM and LIVING OUT, uses rapid fire humor to take the audience on a hilarious, provocative, and poignant ride that examines the question: Just what is ADHD in our increasingly distracting world?

Dinner with Friends

July 14-23
By Donald Margulies

Winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize, The New Daily News said DINNER WITH FRIENDS is a play "...full of life, warmth, laughs, and wisdom...." Karen and Gabe are international food writers whose idyllic life in Connecticut is suddenly upended when they discover that their two closest friends, Beth and Tom, are splitting up. Margulies, author of SIGHT UNSEEN, COLLECTED STORIES, and the current Broadway hit TIME STANDS STILL has crafted a powerfully insightful play on relationships, friendship, confidences, and middle age.

Superior Donuts

July 28-August 6
By Tracy Letts

Written by the Pulitzer prize-winning playwright of AUGUST, OSAGE COUNTY, SUPERIOR DONUTS is the story of aging hippie Arthur Przybyszewski, the proprietor of a rundown donut shop that has been in his family for six decades. Into his isolated and sedentary world strolls Franco Wicks, a young charismatic dreamer who longs to be a writer. Franco becomes Arthur's sole employee and together, this unlikely duo, face the challenges of their respective pasts and discover the redemptive power of true friendship. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribunes calls SUPERIOR DONUTS "A meditation on Chicago's old soul...A witty, seductive, live-wire and greatly entertaining dark comedy that you just don't want to end."

 

Box Office: (413) 585-3220

THEATRE 14

MENDENHALL CENTER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

122 GREEN STREET

SMITH COLLEGE CAMPUS

NORTHAMPTON MA

(accessible, air-conditioned)

BOX OFFICE

413-585-3220

Copyright © 2002 -2011 New Century Theatre. All rights reserved.

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2010 SUMMER SEASON

Noises Off

JUNE 17, 18, 19 & 24, 25, 26, 2010

To Forgive, Divine

JULY 1, 2, 3 & 8, 9, 10, 2010

Intimate Apparel

JULY 15, 16, 17 & 22, 23, 24, 2010

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

(abridged)

JULY 29, 30, 31 & AUGUST 5, 6, 7, 2010

THEATRE 14

MENDENHALL CENTER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

122 GREEN STREET

SMITH COLLEGE CAMPUS

NORTHAMPTON MA

(accessible, air-conditioned)

BOX OFFICE

413-585-3220

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PaintBox Theatre

Back for a seventh season, New Century Theatre is proud to present three more amazing productions for the entire family. Artistic Director Tom McCabe has created a truly unique live theatre experience -- a theatre of imagination and improvisation.

THE TALES OF PETER RABBIT -- JULY 7-10

THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF -- JULY 21-24

THREE MUSKETEERS -- AUGUST 4-7

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