Austin Playhouse opens their Ghostlight Season with a one-night-only live reading of Age of Arousal.
In 2009, Austin Playhouse brought audiences an acclaimed production of Linda Griffiths’ wild and witty suffragist comedy. The production won the Austin Critics’ Table Award for Best Comedy.
On Sunday, September 27 at 7pm, in celebration of the centennial of the 19th amendment, the entire original Austin Playhouse cast will reunite for a one-night-only live reading.
Please note, patrons will be e-mailed a link to the production on Sunday the 27th and only need to purchase one ticket per household.
In Age of Arousal, Griffiths’ created a fantasy-filled re-working of George Gissing’s 19th century novel, The Odd Women. In late 19th century England, a population imbalance had almost twice as many women as men running around London. This meant that many women would never find husbands, would never be paired; they would be odd.
Fusing the political battle of the 19th century suffragists with more personal struggles of sexual and gender identity, Age of Arousal creates a wholly unique world to explore love, desire, and the cost and promise of equality.
Age of Arousal is directed by Austin Playhouse Co-Producing Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock. The cast includes Kimberly Barrow, Brian Coughlin, Babs George, Jenny Gravenstein, Jenny Larson, and Cyndi Williams. Jess Hughes, who performed in Age of Arousal at Southwestern University will assist with scene settings.
Tickets are Pick-Your-Price and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the League of Women Voters, a nonprofit group founded in 1920 by suffragists who led the fight for voting rights for American women.
“This play is one of my all-time favorites and unites so much that I love about theatre. And I can’t wait to introduce new audiences to these characters, this world, and the dizzyingly delightful language of Griffiths’ text. –Lara Toner Haddock, director
“Arousal's characters are painted with broad, dynamic strokes, their fiery personalities sown into every word they speak... The energy pops, voices boom, actions are swift. It's not rare to see talented actors in our city, but it's rare to see such talented actors work so hard.” –Austin Chronicle
*Age of Arousal contains mature themes and frank sexual discussions that would make Jane Austen blush.