Lots of Crazy to Go Around

3 theaters reveal their silly sides

By: Tamsen Merrill

Published On: August 31, 2010

Three of Louisville’s favorite professional theaters mark their 2010-2011 seasons with original plays, visits to old friends and a considerable amount of craziness. Their founders and artistic directors explain:

Bunbury Theatre

502-585-5306

The Henry Clay, Third and Chestnut

Juergen Tossman, artistic director for Bunbury Theatre, says, “It’s our 25th anniversary, which allows us to craft a new identity for ourselves. But we are sticking to our comic roots because the company does comedy really well.” With “A Salvage Yard Christmas,” Tossman is revisiting some old friends by honoring another. “Our good friend Robin Hunter passed away in 2005, which left a huge dent in the organization.” (Hunter played the character Wylie in the first two “Salvage Yard” plays.) “It’s time to honor him with this.”

Tossman, playwright for the series, lets the characters be his guide. “I have no idea where it’s going to go. I sit down, start writing and the characters channel through me.” Bunbury’s one-night-only opening production, “Murder at The Henry Clay,” is a sort of anniversary present for Bunbury’s supporters. “Our patrons can have dinner, be part of the event, guess the murderer, get prizes and receive a season pass with the ticket price.”

Murder at the Henry Clay by Bill Breuer — Sept. 26 (Special pricing)

’Til Beth Do Us Part, Jones/Hope/Wooten — Oct 7-24

A Salvage Yard Christmas, by Juergen Tossmann — Dec. 2-19

Romantic Fools by Rich Orloff — Feb. 10-27

The Oldest Living Graduate by Preston Jones — March 31-Apr 17

The Foreigner by Larry Shue — June 9-26

Single tickets: $10-$21; Season tickets are $75

Pandora Productions

502-216-5502

Production locations vary per show

Pandora Productions has two muses: One, the lady who popped open the wrong box; the other, artistic director Michael Drury. This season, the company’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (GLBTQ) productions are tailored to the audience. “Last season we made a conscious choice to do shows that were fun — it was our Season of Escape.” This season, “the economy hasn’t turned around for everyone. So this is our Season of Escape and Adventure.” The adventure, aside from the wildly creative slate of productions, includes Pandora’s wandering status — they lack a home theater this season. No worries, Drury says. “We want people to share in the adventure with us. We know what to expect from some venues, but others are new to us.” Their season opens with a “costume extravaganza” about fighting mediocrity with flare, and continues the lofty fun with a special encore production of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The season includes an innovative new project for GLBTQ Youth, written and read by the teens. Drury wants every Pandora production to inspire understanding. “It’s corny, but I really believe in the transformative power of theater. Even when they’re laughing, our audience realizes they’re watching themselves in some way.”

When Pigs Fly, a musical by Howard Crabtree, Sept. 2-12

Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O’Brien, Oct. 28-31

(Limited run, special ticketing)

Measure for Pleasure by David Grimm, Dec. 9-19

GLBTQ Youth Project, Jan. 6-9

The Dinner by Sandy Richard, March 31-April 10

The New Century by Paul Rudnick, May 19-29

Zanna Don’t!, a musical by Tim Acito, June 16-26

Tickets from $15-20, Subscriptions $55-70

Le Petomane

Theatre Ensemble

502-454-4477

Le Petomane’s founder and co-artistic director, Greg Maupin, revels in his company’s creative procrastination. Le Petomane only announces performance dates because, well, there are no productions … yet. “Six to eight weeks before the date we decide what to invent. Knowing we have a deadline helps get us going.” That sounds scary, how does it work? “We hang around together a lot, so we always come up with some nonsense. We keep the nonsense in tight little unexplored germs until we’re ready to create. That’s the fun part.” Their recipe for creative madness works: Le Petomane is in its seventh season. “There’s no director in charge; we build the show together, whatever makes us laugh.” The ensemble consists of six actors, and shows are determined by who is available when. “We’re more like a band than a theater company. Sometimes there’s a keyboard, sometimes there’s not.” Whatever band shows up, it promises to be entertaining, and spontaneous. “We’re like Andy Hardy,” Maupin says. “It’s ‘Hey let’s put on a show!’ except we don’t have a barn.”

All performances at The Rudyard Kipling unless otherwise noted. Performance dates are:

Oct. 14-25

Feb. 11-20 at The Bard’s Town Theatre, Bardstown Road and Speed Avenue

May 14-28

The Rudyard Kipling
422 W. Oak St.

502-636-1311

Tickets from $8-20