Asolo Rep Presents UNPLUGGED, Kicks Off 3/14

Asolo Rep announces the schedule and details for its inaugural new play festival, UNPLUGGED. Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director and Director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, Greg Leaming, takes the lead as producer/curator for the festival, which includes a staged reading of a new play by Greenfield Prize winningplaywright Craig Lucas, two developmental workshops and three separate readings.

"Asolo Unplugged is our chance to invite new playwrights into our artistic community and at the sametime introduce our audiences to new work being written in this country at the very beginning of thedevelopmental process. These are some of the most exciting playwrights writing for the theatre, and they range from the well established like Craig Lucas to the newest voices writing today. Each of thesereadings will present to our audience work never seen before, work still in the process of forming. These kinds of workshops are not only an essential part of the development of a new work; they also offer an audience insight into the ways in which a theatrical script is developed. These scripts are raw, exciting, vibrant and very fresh. This program promises some real thrills for all of us." - Greg Leaming

UNPLUGGED, Asolo Rep's new play festival, features fresh, new works from some of America's most exciting playwrights, presented by Asolo Rep for the first time ever. The Asolo Rep acting company will work directly with the playwrights as they develop their new work. The plays will evolve in real time, sometimes only an hour before the presentation! From readings to staged production, this new play festival provides audiences with an inside look at new American theatre. Whether attending the first read through, or seeing the results of a week-long developmental workshop, audience members will take part in the theatrical process from the very first moment a new work is born. Some titles may evolve during the process.Please note that these productions contain adult content and strong language that may be offensive to some people.PRICINGAll-Access Pass $45 See it all! Includes admission to all the events, plus the closing reception.Mini Pass $20 Includes one table reading and two staged readings.

Order tickets online at Asolo.org or by calling the box office at 941-351-8000; or toll free at 800-361-8388.

Please note: Most of these productions contain adult content and language.

MARCH 14 at 7p.m. READING in the main rehearsAl Hall $5HOW TO PRAY by Michelle CarterA young single woman makes the decision as to whether or not she should keep the child she is carrying while getting advice from her lover, priest, dog, cat and transgender best friend.MARCH 16 at 2p.m. READING in the main rehearsAl Hall $5

THE INNOCENTS by Steven DrukmanTwo best friends struggle to have a baby until two very sexy young men enter the picture!MARCH 17 at 8p.m. READING in the main rehearsAl Hall $5HIGHER by Carey PerloffA couple, both architects, find themselves vying for the same prize in this thrilling work by the artistic director of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre.

MARCH 26 & 27 at 8p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10 FIZZ by Rogelio MartinezA play about outsiders, the American capitalist system and the recipe for New Coke.

MARCH 27 at 2p.m. STAGED PRODUCTION in the Cook Theatre $5 students/$7 adultsLEND US YOUR VOICE an encore performance of original ensemble works, devised by area high school students from community interviews as source material. This play is appropriate for young audiences.

APRIL 2 at 8p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10

APRIL 3 at 2p.m. STAGED READING with moderated talkback in the Cook Theatre $10

LOVE & IRONY by Craig LucasA new play from Greenfield Prize-winning, internationally renowned playwright Craig Lucas.

APRIL 3 in the Mezzanine lobby immediately following the 2 p.m. reading and talkbackGreenfield Prize Play Celebration and Closing ReceptionThe closing reception is valued at $15 and only available as part of the All-Access Pass.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is Florida's premier professional theatre and one of the most important cultural forces in the Southeastern United States. Asolo Rep crafts the highest quality productions of classical, contemporary andnewly commissioned work all performed in the rarest form of rotating repertory.

Featuring an accomplished resident company - complemented by distinguished guest artists - Asolo Rep offers audiences a unique anddynamic theatre experience. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards andManaging Director Linda DiGabriele, this world-class institution has taken bold steps toward the future, building landmark partnerships and collaborations which will add to its success for generations to come.

Learn more about Asolo Rep, the season and this production at ASOLO.org. The Greenfield Prize was established in 2008 by longtime Sarasota residents Bob and Louise Greenfield through the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation. The prize is awarded annually in a different artist field, rotating every three years among drama, music and a "wild card" category determined by the stellar Hermitage National Artist Selection Committee. Craig Lucas is the first playwright to receive the award which includes a $30,000 commission to create a new piece of work, residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, and a production of the work by a professional arts organization.

For more information visit the website at www.greenfieldprize.org.