Last year’s Essential Theatre Play Festival has received nine nominations from the 2011 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards.  Over the previous three seasons, the Essential Theatre has received twenty-six nominations and won eleven awards.

Gabriel Jason Dean’s QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT was nominated for Best Original Work. 

Rita Dove’s THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH received nominations for Best Ensemble, Best Direction (Betty Hart), Best Sound Design (Jon Summers), Best Lighting Design (Trish Harris), Best Costume Design (Jane Kroessig), Best Major Supporting Actress (A. Sabreena Farmer), Best Minor Supporting Actor (John Doyle) and Best Minor Supporting Actress (Deborah Harris).

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“A charming evening, a damned funny show. Fans of neurotic Woody Allen comedies will feel at home with this story of Julia and her insomnia. Like that second shot of limoncello, you know you really shouldn’t, but it’s so light, sweet and refreshing … and heck, it’s summer.” Andrew Alexander, www.ArtsCriticATL.com
“Hey people, you should all get over to The Essential Theatre and check out Megan Hayes, Matthew Myers, Holly Stevenson and Kelly Criss in A Sleeping Country, superbly directed by Peter Hardy. It’s smart and funny.” Larry Davis

“Go see it! Great show last night!” 

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Join in the brief discussion on the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders with Dr. Michael Rinow, director of the Northside Hospital Sleep Center.

Dr. Rinow is a native of Upstate New York, Dr. Rinow received his Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his Medical Residency and Pulmonary Fellowship at SUNY at Buffalo. After working as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at SUNYAB for 10 years, he was the Medical Director for the Critical Care Units and Respiratory therapy departments at a community hospital in Western NY.

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JOIN OUR $13 for 13 YEARS CAMPAIGN

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Julia Fracassi can’t get to sleep. Her insomnia has ruined the relationship with her boyfriend and has made her miserable. With guidance from her friend Dr. Midge, she embarks on a hilarious journey to Venice to find answers. Come along for the journey. Learn More.

Dr. Midge’s recommendations are anything but orthodox. So, we’d like to ask for your help. Please post comments with your suggestions. Dr. Midge will consider all your suggestions and offer two free tickets to any Essential Theatre Festival performance for the best advice. We need your advice prior to July 4th, so we can help Julia get a good night’s sleep.

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One of the more disconcerting recent developments on the Atlanta theater scene is Theroun Patterson’s decision to stop acting, at the relatively prime age of 37. Read More

Video Interview with Essenial Theatre 2011 Playwriting Award Winner, Theroun D’Arcy Patterson

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June 13

“CITATIONS” by Josh Harmon
Directed by Barbara Hawkins-Scott
A famous and successful historian is accused of plagiarism, and all those close to her rally to her defense – except for her teenage son.  By the author of “Bad Jews”, Playwright In Residence at Actor’s Express.

July 20
“A PAIN IN THE NECK” by Rachel Teagle
Directed by Dina Shadwell
Mina thinks her girlfriend might be cheating on her — with a man, which would be bad enough, but he could also be a vampire, which would really suck.  (Sorry.)  This dark comedy was a finalist in the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition.

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Buy your Essential Theatre Flex Pass and Save Even More
Get a Flex Pass between now and June 15th and in addition to the savings up to 50%, we will pay for gas. Enter the code “GAS” when you purchase your Flex Pass and you save $5.

Flex Pass FAQ

How does the Flex Pass work?
When you purchase a three, six or ten ticket Flex Pass, you can use those tickets however you wish. You can bring a big party on one night or divide your tickets across multiple performances.

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CITATIONS by Joshua Elias Harmon, Actors Express Playwright in Residence, reading directed by Barbara Hawkins-Scott
Essential Theatre @ Actors Express, Monday June 13, 7:30pm 

Cooper’s senior year of high school turns chaotic when his mother, a major American historian, is accused of plagiarism. A play about academic honesty, Hamlet, and growing up.

Joshua Elias Harmon (Playwright) His plays include A Boy Named Alice, Bad Jews, Citations, Love in the Time of Channukah, Princess Bubonic, and a new adaptation of Emile Zola’s novel Therese Raquin. His work has been produced and developed by Ars Nova, Hangar Theatre,

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Great Pizza, Great Theatre, It’s What’s Essential. 

 
Print this coupon and take it to DaVinci’s Pizzeria and  20% of your tab will be donated to support this year’s Essential Theatre Festival. 

The term Pizzaiolo originated in Old World Italy.  In the old villages, there were many places to find pizza in the markets.  But every village had one that stood out in a unique way, and generally, the person driving that shop was referred to a Pizzaiolo.  Each Pizzaiolo was considered to be a master pie maker.
     

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