"Handler" by Robert Schenkkan January 29, 2009

DragonFly Arts presents:

HANDLER, by Robert Schenkkan

Directed by Jeremy Williams

In the rural South, present day, Geordi has just been released from prison. He and his wife, Terri, a member of the Holiness Way Church, struggle to re-build their marriage after several years of separation and the death of their daughter. One night in service, as rousing singing, dancing and praying takes the congregation into ecstatic celebration, Geordi handles snakes for the first time and is dealt a deadly bite. Three days later, before the astonished eyes of the congregation, Geordi resurrects! What happened to Geordi on the other side? Who gets saved? Who gets forgiven? A haunting story of love, fear and faith.

This is the Regional Premier for “Handler”. A powerful and challenging play rich with exotic experience, poetic language, and imagery; it has only been professionally produced in a handful of cities. It premiered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR to rave reviews in 2002. It was there that Christa Ray, Artistic Director of DragonFly Arts, saw “Handler” and was compelled to bring this play to life in the Boulder/Denver region.

Both Christa Ray and director Jeremy Williams graduated from the MFA Theater: Contemporary Performance at Naropa University. This production furthers the training they received in Psycho-Physical Acting, Somatic Technique, and The Viewpoints. This performance also includes original live score and new arrangements of traditional hymns by local composer, Gary Grundei.

Williams is an award-winning director and choreographer who’s work combines theatre and dance to create “a natural sensuality” (Mark Collins, Boulder Daily Camera). Grundei is an award-winning composer, pianist, and sound designer whose music has been heard at the Kennedy Center, Denver Center, New York Stage and Film, Naropa University, as well as other theatre and dance companies. Ray is known locally as a founding member of Giving Voice Productions whose original award-winning plays about teenage sexuality have stretched the boundaries of the traditional theatrical form. “You'll likely have a strong reaction. "Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls" is provocative theater” (Mark Collins, Boulder Daily Camera, 5/2007). Ray founded DragonFly Arts in 2007 premiering her original solo show, “Lightning In The Storm: The Clara Barton Story,” and is committed to producing new plays that challenge audiences to question their view of reality, expand their understanding of the human experience and inspire compassion.

"Handler" is a fascinating play. It causes us to examine our faith by searching the depths of our psyche.… “Ashland Review (OR) (2002)

Robert Schenkkan is an American playwright and screenwriter who won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for his play, “The Kentucky Cycle” (the first play to win the Pulitzer before appearing on Broadway). He has authored 10 plays and many screenplays. His two-part miniseries, “The Andromeda Strain,” was nominated for seven Emmy's this year and rated the #1 rated mini-series event of the year. He also wrote “Crazy Horse” for TV and the mini-series, "Spartacus" and "The Pacific" with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg to air in 2010. Schenkkan also co-authored the motion picture, “The Quiet American."

January 29, 7:30 (Two for One Tickets!)

January 30, 8 pm.

January 31, 8 pm. (talkback with the cast and director following the show)

February 4, 7:30 pm. (panel with religious studies scholars and a minister at 6:30 pm)

February 5, 7:30 pm.

February 6, 8 pm.

February 7, 8 pm.

The Dairy Center for the Arts, East Theater, 2590 Walnut Street,
Boulder, CO 80302

Ticket prices are $15 for General Admission, $12 for students.
Tickets available at the door (check and cash only) or online at www.brownpapertickets.org (small service fee added).
Group discounts available. Please contact Christa Ray for more information, 303-652-1637 or christavoice@yahoo.com.