Each year MET provides the community with dozens of opportunities. From edgy theatre to family programming and theatre classes, you’re bound to find something to interest the entire family. MET brings inspiring, engaging, entertaining theatre to downtown Frederick, MD. Each season, we include six shows in our mainstage series. MET’s intimate venue creates a visceral experience for performers and audiences alike. MET’s resident troupe, The Comedy Pigs, holds the title of the MidAtlantic region’s longest running sketch comedy/improv show! In addition, MET will bring you more comedy events througout the season from regional comedy troupes and comedians!
The Ensemble School brings actor training to the MET litany of programs. Our success preparing future theatre artists is evident as some of our previous students are now professional actors in the region, Los Angeles and New York.
Our Fun Company theatre series gives many families the opportunity to explore theatre together and give many children their first theatre experience.
MET offers many special events throughout the year, such as our yearly tour of A Christmas Carol, our everpopular RetroProm and our yearly community-based summer projects.
BY CHRISTOPHER DURANG ‘ ‘ DIRECTED BY GENE FOUCHE
“Hilarious and Disturbing.” NY Times
SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 2 Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 9/11, 10/2 @ 7pm, 9/18 & 9/25 @ 2pm
Felicity is suddenly in crisis: Is her new husband, whom she married when drunk, a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father’s hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? Honing in on our private terrors both at home and abroad, Durang oddly relieves our homeland “insecurity” in this black comedy for an era of yellow, orange and red alerts.
BY DAVID MAMET
DIRECTED BY PETER WRAY
“One of the best American plays.” NY Times
OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 20 Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 10/30, 11/20 @ 7pm, 11/6 & 11/13 @ 2pm
In a Chicago junk shop three small-time crooks plot to carry out the midnight robbery of a coin collection. In the hours leading up to the heist, friendship becomes the victim in a conflict between loyalty and business in this often humorous, gripping, award-winning drama.
“Wickedly funny” NY Times
BY JEFF GOODE
DIRECTED BY TIM SELTZER
DECEMBER 8 – JANUARY 1
Thu-Sat @ 8pm (No shows 12/24 & 12/25), Sun 12/11, 1/1 @ 7pm, 12/18 @ 2pm
Santa’s reindeer are dishing out the real dirt on ol’ St. Nick. Want to know the truth about him and the elves? About Rudolph’s little secret? About Vixen’s story that was leaked to the press? The reindeer finally speak, and they’re not holding back!
BY DEB LAUFER DIRECTED BY TAD JANES “Rapturously funny” The Miami Herald
FEBRUARY 2-26
Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 2/5, 2/26 @ 7pm, 2/12 & 2/19 @ 2pm
Sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all.
adapted BY REINER PROCHASKA
DIRECTED BY JULIE HERBER
“The greater your arrogance, the greater God’s revenge.”
March 22 – April 15
Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 3/25, 4/15 @ 7pm, 4/1 @ 2pm (No Show on 4/8)
In a war-torn society, Antigone defies the male leaders and the laws of her society by securing a proper burial for her brother. MET puts their own spin on a timeless classic in this new adaptation of Sophocles’ tale by resident playwright Reiner Prochaska. This show sponsored by The Frank Greene Fund for New Work.
BY MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE “For the Fredneck in all of us.”
MAY 10 – JUNE 3
Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 5/13, 6/3 @ 7pm, 5/20 & 5/27 @ 2pm
Yep! The title says it all – MET brings you another original ensemble created production that’s sure to have you busting a gut, tapping your toes, singing along and pulling the straw from your teeth!
The
Comedy Pigs Anniversary Weekend!
“I want to put on my my my my my boogie shoes just to boogie with you.”
H.W. Casey/R. Finch KC and the Sunshine Band
A
Christmas Carol
Bring in the holidays with MET’s annual tour of Dickens’ heart warming Christmas classic – now in three locations! The Maryland Theatre, Hagerstown – December 2-3 301-790-3500 • mdtheatre.org
Carroll Arts Center, Westminster – December 8-10 410-848-7272 • carrollcountyartscouncil.org
Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick – December 16-18
301-600-2828 • weinbergcenter.org *Tickets for a Christmas Carol are not handled through the MET box office. Please call the individual theatre for tickets.
New piggies and old join together for a weekend of improv and sketch comedy – Pig style! Join the Pigs Friday night for improv and Saturday for an evening of classic Pig sketches.
August 26 @ 8pm August 27 @8pm at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Come dance the night away at MET’s ever-popular 8th annual Retro Prom! Saturday, March 10 • 7:00 -11:30pm William R. Talley Recreation Center 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick
September 17 – October 9 Sat @ 2pm, Sun 10/2 & 10/9 @ 2pm
The Pirates of Pelican Point
By Caitlyn Joy
Every year the seaside town of Pelican Point has its annual boat race and every year ten-year-old Jonah is left out of the fun. Lonely and bullied by the other children, all Jonah wants is a friend. When a band of misfit pirates come to town he may get his wish!
November 26 – December 17 Sat & Sun @ 2pm
The commedia pinocchio
By Lane Riosley
Pinocchio springs to life from a block of wood and gets swallowed by a great fish. The tale of Pinocchio is told here through the lively and fun comedy form known as commedia dell’arte, which has used the various talents of the actors’ acrobatics, dance, music and quick wit to entertain audiences since the 15th century.
March 31 – April 22 Sat @ 2pm, Sun 4/15 & 4/22 @ 2pm
The young olympians
By Sarah Shulman
and the most amazingly awesome adventure ever!
When Zeus and his Olympians are mysteriously stripped of their memory, it is up to Zeus’s sons, Hercules and Perseus, to save Mt. Olympus. The two young heroes-in-training, along with their friend Jason, set off on an adventure to find an ancient device that will restore the Gods’ memory and along the way they learn what it really means to be a hero. May 19 – June 10 Sat @ 2pm, Sun 6/3 & 6/10 @ 2pm
heidi
Adapted by Allison Lepelletier
Kidnapped by her cruel aunt and sent to live in the city with a strict housekeeper and sick cousin, young Heidi struggles to remain optimistic, wondering if her grandfather is searching for her. While dreaming of her peaceful life atop the Swiss Alps, Heidi gets into mischief and makes surprising new friends, changing the lives of everyone she meets! Adapted from the classic 1880 novel by Johanna Spyri.
The Comedy Pigs, MET’s resident improv/ sketch comedy troupe is back with a new season of gut wrenching fun! Stay tuned throughout the season for other weekends of comedy by some of the region’s funniest performers.
The Comedy Pigs 2011-2012 Season The Comedy Pigs Anniversary Weekend Aug 26 & 27 @ 8pm
Photo by Franky Orr
Sept 17 & 24 @ 10:30pm Oct 15 @ 10:30pm Nov 5 & 12 @ 10:30pm Jan 13 & 14 @ 9pm Feb 4 & 11 @10:30pm March 2 & 3 @9pm April 7 & 14 @10:30pm April 28 @ 9pm May 18 & 19 @ 10:30pm June 2 @ 10:30pm
Summer Theatre Camp The Fun Company and The Ensemble School offer summer theatre camp programs for ages 7-16. Choose from 3 different 2-week sessions. All camps include a final performance on the last day. For information call the box office or visit our website. From left: Photos 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9 by Joe Williams, photos 1, 2 & 4 by Misti Morningstar, photo 5 by Bettina Strauss
Classes in
Acting • Improvisation • Musical Theatre • Auditioning Movement • Voice and Speech • Special Topics Ages 7 to Adult 12-Week Sessions begin in September and February Small class sizes! Call the Box Office or visit the website for a class schedule www.marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744
Important Information SUPPORT MET
Make a tax deductible contribution! Be a corporate sponsor! Advertise in our Playbills! There are lots of ways to get involved! Call our box office at 301-694-4744 for more information.
LOCATION
MET is located at 31 West Patrick Street in the FSK Hotel in Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland. For directions, visit our website marylandensemble.org or call the box office at 301-694-4744. Our theatre is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs. Downtown Frederick has numerous cultural offerings, visitor tours, wonderful shopping, antiquing and dining all quartered within a 16 block, nationally-renowned Arts and Entertainment District. For more information on Downtown Frederick, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County at fredericktourism.org or the Downtown Frederick Partnership at downtownfrederick.org. .
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MAINSTAGE SERIES TICKETS
Season Tickets: $110 • One ticket for each of these shows: Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, American Buffalo, The Eight Reindeer Monologues, End Days, Antigone and The All New Grand Ole’ Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoedown Jamboree • A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show • A voucher for a Fun Company show Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable. Flex Pass: $120 • 6 tickets good for any of these shows: Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, American Buffalo, The Eight Reindeer Monologues, End Days, Antigone and The All New Grand Ole’ Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoedown Jamboree • A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show • A voucher for a Fun Company show Tickets are NOT show specific and can be used for any MET Mainstage show *Schedule subject to change
FUN COMPANY FAMILY THEATRE SERIES TICKETS
Season Tickets: $40 • One ticket for each of these shows: The Pirates of Pelican Point, Commedia Pinnochio, The Young Olympians and the most Awesomely Amazing Adventure Ever! and Heidi
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SHOW DATES AND TIMES
Mainstage show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8pm and select Sunday matinees (2pm) and evening shows (7pm). FUN Company performances are on Saturdays and selected Sundays @ 2pm. Individual Tickets: $24/$20, Thursday and Sunday evenings $15, $12 for Fun Company shows , $12 for Comedy Pigs shows
GROUP SALES
Discounts are available on group sales of ten or more tickets. Call 301-694-4744 for more information.
301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS
2 GREAT WAYS TO BUY TICKETS AND SAVE! SEASON TICKETS
Purchase Season Tickets and see six MET Mainstage plays for just $110. You’ll save $56 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets). Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable.
FLEX PASS
The Flex Pass is six tickets for any MET plays of your choice and can be purchased for $120. Whether you use all six tickets on a given evening, or throughout the season, you’ll save $46 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets).
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