From the Balcony: Of Theatre Workshop of Owensboro


All in the Timing was the winner of the “John Gassner Playwriting Award.”

 

            “Founded in 1955 by Lawrence Hager, Jr. and other theatre buffs, TWO staged The Man Who Came to Dinner at Southern Junior High. Despite being well received by the public, TWO had no permanent home or source of income, so the group disbanded in 1959. In 1967, former members reunited to participate in the Owensboro Festival of Arts, producing a reader's theatre production of Antigone. This program was such a success, that TWO was reformed and reorganized. At first, the troupe staged productions in school auditoriums and found a short-term home in the basement of the Rudd Hotel.

            In 1973, Mayor Waitman Taylor offered the Old Trinity Centre, formerly home to the Trinity Episcopal Church and acquired by the City in 1972, to TWO as a permanent home. Trinity Centre is registered as an historic landmark. Built in 1875, it is the oldest example of Gothic architecture is Western Kentucky. As well, it is the oldest brick church building in Owensboro.
            In the early 1990's, play productions were moved to the Riverpark Center. In 1999, Trinity Centre underwent a major renovation that allowed productions to once again be staged in its intimate auditorium. The ambiance of Trinity Centre provides a unique experience for theatre patrons.
            If you have memories of TWO and Trinity Centre, please contact us with your stories. If you've been away from the theatre, please drop in, look around, and enjoy a show.”

– www.theatreworkshop.org

 

The “best kept secret” in Owensboro’s theatre repertoire is quickly breaking free of that connotation as each season gets better and better – selling out production after production and generating some spectacular buzz due to choice of productions. This September, TWO kicks off their 2008-2009 Season. According to TWO “A ticket reserves an entire seat, but you will only need the edge of it;” they’ve certainly been doing just that…for the past 45 years! The 2008-2009 season marks TWO’s 45th season of magnificent productions.

            The first production of the season is the comedic and witty All in the Timing by David Ives. This amusing show, consisting of several unusual characters in some hilarious situations, will leave your chairs shaking as you double over with laughter.

            Directed by TWO veteran, Wes Barlett, All in the Timing is an intelligently clever six-act comedy, exploring the nature of language “with a pumping, comic heart.” The theme that ties six sketches together centers around the notion that our speech is often an inadequate way to express our thoughts and desires.

            “We must work with what we’ve got, however embarrassing, heartbreaking or frustrating it may be and hope that we can get the timing right.” But until we can, why not laugh at all the misunderstandings that language creates? In one segment of All in the Timing, nonsense words suddenly make perfect sense; in another, characters must ask for the opposite of what they want.  The hilarity of this production cannot be described. Just as the theme implies, it’s impossible to explain through the written word; you must see it for yourself!

            Sponsored by Unilever and RDI, the production takes stage on Fridays August 29th, September 5th, and 12th at 7pm, Saturdays August 30th, September 6th, and 13th at 7pm; and a Sunday matinee performance on September 7th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 students. Season Tickets are also available for a discounted price. For reservations, please call TWO box office at (270) 683-5353, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.