In playwright and Pulitzer Prize-nominee Theresa Rebeck’s latest work,
Fool, now headed for the Alley Theatre, the setting is a medieval kitchen in which she pits two court jesters against each other with potentially disastrous consequences for one of them (the loser will be beheaded). According to Alley Artistic Director Gregory Boyd: “One of the things the play is, is a ‘comedy about comedy,’ as Theresa says. And the situation allows her to put the characters in a desperate situation, which I think is a way of making vivid the fears and anxieties of any performer, or artist — it’s always life and death for an artist, even if it’s not literal for most. Alongside that is an idea she is fascinated with in the play — how comedy can speak truth to power. There’s something anarchic and wickedly spirited about comedy, and some rulers don’t always find that amusing.” Alley company members Jeffrey Bean (King) and Elizabeth Bunch (Joss) join with Joey Collins (in
The Glass Menagerie with Jessica Lange on Broadway) and others in this world premiere.
7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Through March 16. 615 Texas. For information, call 713-220-5700 or visit alleytheatre.org. $26 to $65.
Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 & 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Feb. 21. Continues through March 16, 2014