1. For further information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jess Amend, Marketing Associate
608-588-9240
jamend@americanplayers.org
AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE SEASON GOING STRONG, ADDING ON
Upcoming plays, education, events
Spring Green, Wis. – The 35th
season at American Players Theatre (APT) is well underway, with more to
come. APT opened five shows in June and will add three more in August and one in October for a total of nine
productions running in repertory. In addition, the theater offers many upcoming education opportunities and
special events.
Currently running are The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet on the
Hill and American Buffalo and The Year of Magical Thinking in the Touchstone Theatre. These will be joined by
The Seagull, The Doctor’s Dilemma and Travesties in August and Alcestis in October. Shows run in rotating
repertory, so it is possible to see a variety of shows in a short span of time. There are up to 17 performances
per week.
Information can be found at APT’s website, americanplayers.org. Tickets for shows and events can be ordered
online, in person, or by calling the Box Office at 608-588-2361.
OPENING SOON
The Seagull
Written by Anton Chekhov. Translated by Carol Rocamora. Directed by John Langs.
August 1 – September 20 on the Hill
It’s tough to live up to your parents’ expectations, and tougher when your mom is a famous–and very critical–
actress. Such is the plight of Arkadina’s son Konstantin as he tries to make his mark as a playwright, while
holding on to Nina, the woman he loves. Artistic temperaments abound as Arkadina, her lover (the famous
author, Trigorin) and the rest of the charismatic cast fall in and out of love and the limelight in this darkly funny
comedy.
The Doctor’s Dilemma
Written by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Aaron Posner.
August 8 – October 3 on the Hill
Dr. Ridgeon has developed a cure for tuberculosis. He’s at the very top of his game–and his patient load–when
the charming Jennifer Dubedat comes to him pleading for the life of her husband, the talent-rich (and penny-
poor) artist, Louis. But the good doctor and his friends find that, talented though he may be, Louis may have
some character traits that could be deemed irredeemable when one life is weighed against another, and
against Dr. Ridgeon’s feelings for the dying man’s wife.

2. APT going strong, adding on
2
Travesties
Written by Tom Stoppard. Directed by William Brown.
August 13 – October 3 in the Touchstone Theatre
Henry Carr weaves a tale of the famous people he knew in his youth, from Dadaist Tristan Tzara to writer
James Joyce to Soviet revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. But as the years have passed, Carr’s memories of his
former cohorts have become muddled with his long-ago portrayal of Algernon in The Importance of Being
Earnest, making the play and its characters an inalienable part of his reality. Much in the style of last season’s
Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, actors from The Importance of Being Earnest will reprise
their roles in Travesties.
Note: Although most performances of Travesties are sold out, interested patrons should check back
frequently, as more tickets may become available.
Alcestis
Written by Euripides. Adapted and translated by Ted Hughes. Directed by David Frank.
October 10 – November 9 in the Touchstone Theatre
Apollo has sweet-talked the Fates into giving King Admetus a life extension. But dealing with gods can be
backhanded business, and the fine print demands a sacrifice. Now time’s up, and there’s but one volunteer:
Admetus’ beloved queen, Alcestis. But just when you start to think those Greeks had completely lost their
sense of humor, enter Heracles, riding a wave of grand ego, drunken ribaldry and, of all things, a flaming
vulture. But he may be just the guy to confront that one thing feared by gods and humans alike: the unknown.
NOW PLAYING
The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde. Directed by William Brown.
Through September 27 on the Hill
“This ensemble has no weak links” –The Isthmus
Much Ado About Nothing
Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by David Frank.
Through October 5 on the Hill
“An absolutely perfect production” –OnMilwaukee.com
Romeo and Juliet
Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by James DeVita.
Through October 4 on the Hill
“The best production of this play that I've seen since 1995” –Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
American Buffalo
Written by David Mamet. Directed by Kenneth Albers.
Through November 8 in the Touchstone Theatre
“Ridge’s performance is a mad tour de force” –Chicago on the Aisle
The Year of Magical Thinking
Written by Joan Didion. Directed by Brenda DeVita.
Through October 4 in the Touchstone Theatre
“Will pierce you to the core” –Madison Magazine Stage Write blog

3. APT going strong, adding on
3
EDUCATION
Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and The Importance of Being Earnest each have matinee
performances during the school day in September and early October (only one performance of Earnest). All
Much Ado student matinees are sold out, but limited seats are still available for the other two shows. In
addition, APT offers a number of ways to enrich the students’ play-going experience. Videos and study guides
for Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing will become available in late August. Schools that attend
one of the matinees can request a post-show discussion with the actors and can also choose a free workshop
for their students, taught by an APT teaching artist at their school. These 45-minute workshops introduce
students to the play (or reflect on the play they just saw) and use various techniques to make story, language,
character and theme vivid and accessible to the students. For details and ticket information, please visit
www.americanplayers.org/education.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Ride the bus to the woods
Badger Coaches will offer bus service from Madison to APT for two more performances: August 1 (The
Seagull) and August 8 (The Doctor’s Dilemma). Bus tickets are $15 and should be ordered in advance. The
bus departs from Capitol Lakes in Madison at 5:15 pm and from St. Bernard’s in Middleton at 5:45 pm. Patrons
will arrive in time for a picnic before the show.
Beyond the Plays events
APT offers several opportunities for patrons to get a behind-the-scenes look and learn a little bit about how the
plays come to life. If people just want to meet the company and mingle, they can attend a Hangout on August
23 or September 6. Patrons can discuss various aspects of the theater and the plays with APT actors and staff
by coming to one of the Beyond the Plays Talks. Or, they can see where everything happens on an Inside Out
tour or specialized area tour in the wig shop, costume shop or nature trail. Many shows also offer post-show
discussions with the cast and director.
Great food
For a step up from the traditional picnic, patrons can eat delicious chicken and ribs provided by Fat Jacks
Barbeque on August 17 and September 7. Meals are $15.50 and include sides, dessert, lemonade or iced tea
and a lot of napkins for all the barbeque sauce. The Hot Chili Finale on October 5 features food from the
Spring Green General Store and will celebrate the end of the Uphill season. Patrons can join in on the fun (and
the food) for just $11.
More information about these can be found at www.americanplayers.org/tickets under Discounts & Promos,
Events and Food.
# # #
For more information on schedules, plays and casting visit www.americanplayers.org.
For interviews and photographs, please contact Jess Amend, jamend@americanplayers.org, 608-588-9240