THE ATL STAGE SCENE:
 IS ATLANTA THE NEW OFF-BROADWAY?
by Bret Love
With the TV adaptation of director Kenny Leon’s A Raisin in the Sun revival and the recent announcement that rocker John Mellencamp and author Stephen King would be unveiling the world premiere of their new stage musical (titled Ghost Brothers of Darkland County) there next year, the Alliance Theatre continues to thrust Atlanta into the national theatre spotlight. But while the original home of Elton John’s Aida may host the city’s highest profile productions, there are dozens of other companies helping to make Atlanta one of the hottest spots for theatre this side of Broadway. Here are a few of the most noteworthy:
ACTOR’S EXPRESS
887 W. Marietta St. Suite J-107
404-607-SHOW
One of the city’s most dynamic theatre companies, Actor’s Express is known for edgy fare ranging from nationally known productions such as Tracy Letts’ Bug to world premieres from Atlanta-based playwrights like Lauren Gunderson and Steve Yockey. Up this month: Ever-popular rock opera Hedwig & the Angry Inch, running June 19 through July 19, which will close out the theatre’s 20th anniversary season.
www.actors-express.com.
CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS
1404 Spring St. NW
404-873-3391
Now in its 30th year, the nation’s largest puppetry theatre recently unveiled plans to open a wing devoted to the legacy of Muppets mastermind Jim Henson. They also feature dozens of homegrown and touring productions for audiences of all ages, from the adults-only Xperimental Puppetry Theatre to Artistic Director Jon Ludwig’s family-friendly Cinderella della Circus, which runs through June 22.
www.puppet.org.
DAD’S GARAGE THEATRE
280 Elizabeth Street
404-523-3141
Though best known for their improv comedy, critics have also named Dad’s Garage Atlanta’s best theatre company three out of the last four years. Their bread and butter is irreverent Off Broadway productions such as Reefer Madness and A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology, as well as original in-house productions such as the zombie love story musical, Song Of The Living Dead, running June 5-July 6.
www.dadsgarage.com.
HORIZON THEATRE COMPANY
Little 5 Points Community Center, 1083 Austin Ave.
404-584-7450
A staple of the Little 5 Points community for 25 years, this theatre specializes in the contemporary works of playwrights like Wendy Wasserstein, David Hare and Terrence McNally. They also develop new talents with their annual New South Young Playwrights Festival, where they invite 15-20 students for a weeklong residency filled with workshops, seminars and readings with professional actors and directors.
www.horizontheatre.com.
OUT OF HAND THEATER
508 Flat Shoals Ave
404-312-9871
Named “[one of] a dozen young American companies you need to know” by American Theatre Magazine, ultra-hip Out of Hand draws the bulk of its audience from the under-30 set via engaging, interactive productions. From the self-help movement parody of HELP to the drug culture critique of MEDS, the offbeat ensemble aims to alter the way people experience live theatre.
www.outofhandtheater.com.
PUSH PUSH THEATER
Decatur Station, 121 New St, #4
404-377-6332
With its mantra of “pushing theatrical boundaries,” Push Push is garnering acclaim for its innovative productions, which range from the puppetry of Haverty Marionettes and long-form improv of the Doug Dank Project to groundbreaking theatrical works. It’s also home to Dailies, a filmmaking collective whose quarterly challenges led to the creation of The Signal, a horror film that sold at Sundance for $2 million.
www.pushpushtheater.com.
7 STAGES THEATRE
1105 Euclid Ave.
404-523-7647
Atlanta’s home for high-brow theatrical fare by celebrated playwrights such as Beckett, Brecht and David Mamet, 7 Stages opened its doors in 1979, eventually renovating a 1920s movie house that includes a main stage and a flexible seating black box. In addition to their own productions, 7 Stages regularly features productions from Essential Theatre, Synchronicity Performance Group, Theatre du Reve and others.
www.7stages.org.
TRUE COLORS THEATRE COMPANY
Studioplex, 659 Auburn Avenue, Suite 257
404-588-0308
The city’s newest major theatre, True Colors was co-founded in 2002 by former Alliance Theatre Artistic Director Kenny Leon, whose mission was to create culturally diverse theatre grounded in African-American classics and the development of new voices. This year they hope to acquire their own dedicated theatre, and within two years plan to be the anchor for a multi-cultural visual and performing arts center.
www.truecolorstheatrecompany.com.
OTP CULTURE: THEATRES IN THE ‘BURBS
AURORA THEATRE
128 Pike St, Lawrenceville
678-226-6222
From timeless musicals and British comedies to children’s productions, this family-friendly theatre is a Lawrenceville favorite.
www.auroratheatre.com.
GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE
Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St, Roswell
770-641-1260
Attracting a decidedly older crowd than most in-town theatres, this 15-year-old company offers a mature slate largely comprised of theatrical classics.
www.get.org.
KUDZU PLAYHOUSE
10743 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell
770-594-1020
Despite a solid lineup of classic adult productions, this Roswell theatre is best known for its prodigious children’s fare.
www.kudzuplayhouse.org.
STAGE DOOR PLAYERS
North DeKalb Cultural Center, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody
770-396-1726
Founded in 1974 as a Community Improvement Project, SDP offers a mixture of crowd-pleasing favorites and old-time musical revues.
www.stagedoorplayers.net.
THEATRE IN THE SQUARE
11 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta
770-422-8369
One of Atlanta’s most respected theatres, this gutsy company’s smart production choices have made it a surprisingly edgy haven of suburban culture.
www.theatreinthesquare.com.
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