Harlequin Productions has changed its 2018 season to present Sarah Burgess’ lacerating, award-winning dark comedy Dry Power, October 4th through October 27th at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. Veteran Harlequin actor Ann Flannigan will direct.
Set in the world of the one percent, Dry Powder is a rare creation: a glimpse into the boy’s club of finance, written by a woman. Playwright Sarah Burgess pulls back the curtain on private equity, where closed-door deals based on financial return bump up against their impact to the rest of society. Featuring break-neck dialogue reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin, the play is a 100- minute roller-coaster ride to get a deal signed on the dotted line. But at what cost? Particularly noteworthy in the cast of Harlequin veterans is Brian Tyrrell (St. Martin’s University, Centralia College) who returns to the Harlequin stage after an 8-year hiatus.
Associate Artistic Director Aaron Lamb jumped at the opportunity to present a timely comedy set in a traditionally male-dominated sector that features a strong female lead, and which could be directed by a local artist with professional experience in a similar field outside her considerable theatrical credentials.
Of the link between her day job and the world of the play, director Ann Flannigan says, “I’m a PR professional in a completely different part of the financial services ecosystem – credit unions. Couldn’t be farther from the rules of engagement for private equity. It’s fun to take a trip to the other end of the spectrum to explore this territory.”
Ann Flannigan has performed in 14 seasons at Harlequin. She has directed La Bete and Mud, and has performed in 16 productions, including: August: Osage County (Barbara Fordham), Present Laughter (Monica Reed), To Kill a Mockingbird (Maudie Atkinson), Fighting Over Beverley (Cecily Shimma), Philadelphia Story (Margaret Lord), and The Americans Across the Street (Alexa). Flannigan studied Theater at Lewis & Clark College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is Vice President of Public Relations for WSECU.
The cast includes Brian Tyrrell* (10 Harlequin shows including Hamlet, Art, Sylvia, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, A Long Day’s Journey into Night), Helen Harvester (10 Harlequin shows including Present Laughter, Hedda Gabler, Time Stands Still, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Philadelphia Story), Ryan Holmberg (4 Harlequin shows including The Love List and Enchanted April), and Brian Lewis (The Gamers: Hands of Fate, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising).
WHAT: Harlequin Productions presents Dry Powder, a timely, bitingly funny glimpse into the traditionally male-dominated finance sector, written by Sarah Burgess and directed by Ann Flannigan.
WHEN: October 4 – 27, 2018
WHERE: State Theater, 202 4th Ave East, Olympia, WA 98501
TICKETS: Tickets are available online at harlequinproductions.org, by phone at 360-786-0151, or in person 12-6pm, Tues-Friday and 2 hours before weekend performances at the Harlequin Box Office in the State Theater.
General admission tickets are $35 Senior 60+/Military $32 Student/Youths Under 25 $20 Rush Tickets (half-hour prior to showtime) General $15; Senior/Military/Student/Under 25 $12
SPECIAL DATES FOR THE AUDIENCE: Opening Night: Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 8:00pm Pay-What-You-Can: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 8:00pm Ladies’ Night Out: Friday, October 12, 2018 at 8:00pm Post-show Talkback: Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 2:00pm Pride Night: Friday, October 19, 2018 at 8:00pm
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Dark comedy
CAST:
Brian Tyrrell Rick Helen Harvester Jenny Brian Lewis Seth Ryan Holmberg Jeff Schrader
PR: Ashley Chandler, Box Office Manager, 306-786-0151 x103
or ashley@harlequinproductions.org
* Indicates membership in the Actor’s Equity Association.
