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THE CLASSICS THEATRE PROJECT has been garnering attention and acclaim for its mounting of a rarely seen masterpiece from one of America's greatest playwrights. The company's new adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE: A COMEDY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN LIFE IN EIGHT SCENES opened last week at The Core Theatre in Richardson and has been drawing in audience and media from around DFW to see this provocative and unique work of expressionism. Complete with an original score performed live, the ensemble of actors takes on Eugene O'Neill's examination of the rags-to-riches mythology of America and the effects of alienation in the modern world. 

Considered explosive and revolutionary in 1922, Eugene O'Neill's blending of expressionism and naturalism in THE HAIRY APE went on to stay at the core of the then developing style of American theatre. Through his simplification of characters and events in the play, its deeper truths about the search for self-worth, self-pride, and social belonging take center stage. In THE HAIRY APE, through eight scenes, the story unfolds of anti-hero Yank, a strong and unthinking stoker on a ship. He feels secure of his place and in his power to make the ship move until he is called a filthy beast by the overbred daughter of a steel merchant. Yank experiences an awakening of consciousness that leads him off his ship and on a journey through both the wealthy neighborhoods and disenfranchised underbelly of New York, only to find he does not belong anywhere – not with the socialites on 5th Avenue, or the laborers on the waterfront. Throughout his search for belonging, Yank only experiences the dehumanizing effects of a modernized and industrialized world as his mental state disintegrates into its most primal until, ultimately, he is defeated by the very thing inside himself he had been fighting all along, a filthy ape.

This achingly relevant story, and raw and gripping style of storytelling had opening weekend audiences and critics enthralled at experiencing this classic. The production continues to run Thursdays-Saturdays through November 6th. In keeping with their mission of making the classics accessible to all, the non-profit THE CLASSICS THEATRE PROJECT keeps ticket pricing low, at only $18 per ticket. Learn more and purchase tickets at theclassicstheatreproject.com

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Rarely seen on North Texas stages, The Classics Theatre Project brings audiences an opportunity to experience an intensely intimate and provocative production of Eugene O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE: A COMEDY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN LIFE IN EIGHT SCENES, October 13-November 6 at The Core Theatre in Richardson. As one of America's greatest and most pivotal playwrights, Eugene O'Neill's work helped shape American theatre and this, one of his earliest plays, established the power of theatre's use of artistry to shine a harsh and honest light on issues of social relevance. Adapted and directed by the company's artistic director, Joey Folsom, with an original score created and performed live by Braden Socia and Petra Milano, the ensemble cast tackles O'Neill's take on expressionism in this work that directly challenges the underlying rags-to-riches mythology of America and powerfully examines the effects of alienation in the modern world. 
 
Considered explosive and revolutionary in 1922, Eugene O'Neill's blending of expressionism and naturalism in THE HAIRY APE went on to stay at the core of the then developing style of American theatre. Through his simplification of characters and events in the play, its deeper truths about the search for self-worth, self-pride, and social belonging take center stage. In eight scenes, the story unfolds of anti-hero Yank, a strong and unthinking stoker on a ship. He feels secure of his place and in his power to make the ship move until he is called a filthy beast by the overbred daughter of a steel merchant. Yank experiences an awakening of consciousness that leads him off his ship and on a journey through both the wealthy neighborhoods and disenfranchised underbelly of New York, only to find he does not belong anywhere – not with the socialites on 5th Avenue, or the laborers on the waterfront. Throughout his search for belonging, Yank only experiences the dehumanizing effects of a modernized and industrialized world and his mental state disintegrates into its most primal until, ultimately, he is defeated by the very thing inside himself he had been fighting all along, a filthy ape.
 
Since The Classics Theatre Project's return to live performances in June, Dallas' only independent performing arts organization dedicated solely to producing classic works has shown audiences just how much of a good time can be had with a classic through its Shakespeare under the stars experience of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and just how hilarious a classic can be with its mounting of Molière's precursor to the modern farce, THE IMAGINARY INVALID. Now, the group sets its sights on demonstrating just how achingly relevant a classic can remain. It is a unique opportunity for audiences and one that will be bringing both the theatre faithful and newcomers to the American theatrical canon to Richardson. 
 
For more information, performance dates and times, and to purchase tickets visit theclassicstheatreproject.com
 
The Classics Theatre Project is a 501 (c)3 performing arts organization with a mission to produce relevant classic works to enrich the culture of the North Texas community. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THE CLASSICS THEATRE PROJECT is providing FREE admission to their production of Molière's IMAGINARY INVALID for Richardson ISD high school students and teachers every Thursday night of the show's run at The Core Theatre in Richardson. The 17th century French dramatist, Molière, is considered one of the greatest comedy writers in history and his work has been credited with evolving social comedy to the form we recognize today. A staple of English, Theatre, and French curriculum, The Classics Theatre Project is happy to be able to bring his work to life for students and teachers to experience for free as part of the non-profit's mission to make the classics accessible to all.

Select performances occur at 7:30PM Thursday September 9, September 16, and September 23. Students and teachers can pick their Thursday and simply present their school ID at the door for FREE admission or they may reserve a seat in advance by emailing tctpdfw@gmail.com

There is no shortage of quick wit, over-the-top characters, physical comedy, or zany situations in Molière's precursor to the modern farce, THE IMAGINARY INVALID, as Argan, a miserly hypochondriac, is treated for a range of ills by a multitude of doctors indulging his “sufferings” for their benefit. He plans for his daughter to marry the son of a doctor, to have one nearby at all times and at a discount. She has her own plans to marry another man she truly loves while her stepmother plans to have her sent to a convent, in order to claim an inheritance for herself when Argan meets his seemingly imminent demise. Soon the entire household gets embroiled in madcap schemes as the maid, and Argan’s brother argue and trick their way through this comedy in an effort to save true love, give the doctors a taste of their own medicine, and mend the family broken by Argan’s obsession.

The Classics Theatre Project has produced classic works throughout Dallas for the past three years and is bringing its mission to enrich the culture of North Texas to Richardson for the first time. They will be mounting another socially relevant classic in Richardson in October, with Eugene O'Neill's THE HAIRY APE.

FREE ADMISSION TO TCTP'S PRODUCTION OF MOLIÈRE'S THE IMAGINARY INVALID
7:30 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
7:30 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
7:30 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Open to all Richardson ISD High School Students and Teachers
Please bring your RISD ID to the performance

Performances take place at The Core Theatre's Venue
518 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 115, Richardson, TX 75080

*All cast, crew and house staff are vaccinated for COVID 19
*All Dallas County mandates and recommendations will be followed for patrons. Masks are required for the lobby and restrooms and recommended while not enjoying concessions, watching the show.

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The Classics Theatre Project prescribes farcical French laughs as the remedy for end of summer ennui  with a simple, stylish, and side-splitting mounting of Molière's THE IMAGINARY INVALID. Adapted and directed by Joey Folsom, keen wit, outlandish schemes, and slapstick humor deliver a dose of timeless hilarity September 8-25 at The Core Theatre's venue in Richardson. Considered one of the world's greatest comedic dramatists, Molière's quick-witted style of analyzing 17th Century French society, through uproariously sending up the types of people comprising it, was a driving factor in the evolution of social comedy and what has made his work endure through its humorous insights into human nature. 
 
Influenced by its Commedia dell'arte predecessors, Molière's rollicking precursor to the modern farce, THE IMAGINARY INVALID, has no shortage of over-the-top characters, physical comedy and zany situations as Argan, a miserly hypochondriac, is treated for a range of ills by a multitude of doctors indulging his "sufferings" for their benefit. He plans for his daughter to marry the son of a doctor, to have one nearby at all times and at a discount. She has her own plans to marry another man she truly loves while her stepmother plans to have her sent to a convent, in order to claim an inheritance for herself when Argan meets his seemingly imminent demise. Soon the entire household gets embroiled in madcap schemes as the maid, and Argan's brother argue and trick their way through this 3-act comedy in an effort to save true love, give the doctors a taste of their own medicine, and mend the family broken by Argan's obsession.
 
Molière's THE IMAGINARY INVALID is adapted and directed by Joey Folsom and produced by Joey Folsom and Bren Rapp. The cast features Jackie Kemp, Madyson Greenwood, Devon Rose, Rhonda Rose, Joel Frapart, David Britto and R. Bradford Smith. As part of THE CLASSICS THEATRE PROJECT'S mission to make the classics accessible to all, tickets are general admission and accessibly priced, with performance tickets at $18 and tickets to a special, Wednesday, September 8th preview priced at only $10. The production performs at The Core Theatre, 518 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson, TX  75080. All shows perform at 7:30PM TH, FRI, SAT. Tickets are available online at theclassictheatreproject.com
 
The Classics Theatre Project has produced acclaimed and award winning work throughout DFW for the past three years and is excited to be bringing its productions to Richardson, now through the end of 2021.