dance, art & okc

Reduxion Theatre Company

NIGHT OF GRAND GUIGNOL

2012-2013 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

REDUXION THEATRE COMPANY BRING FIRST-EVER GRAND GUIGNOL PERFORMANCES TO OKC

Oct 5-27

Reduxion Theatre Company (RTC) pushes boundaries once again as it produces the stage play "Night of Grand Guignol" in Oklahoma City. Grand Guignol (pronounced grahn gee-nyawl) theatre has roots in turn-of-the-20th-century French theatre, with themes exploring horror, sensationalism and seduction, often breaching common sensibilities. Grand Guignol plays lost popularity after World War II, but has recently experienced revivals in cosmopolitan cities like London and Washington, D.C. More commonly known and comparable, but not exact, examples of Grand Guignol-like plays include William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and Sweeney Todd.

"Oklahoma City audiences are as progressive as any major city's audiences and they're always thirsty for ground-breaking theatre. We think they're ready to experience Grand Guignol," said Tyler Woods, Reduxion's Executive Artistic Director. "Reduxion strives to present the classics in fresh ways, and with this collection of classic French horror and camp, we are presenting a style of theatre that, to our knowledge, has never before been seen in OKC. This October, Reduxion brings Grand Guignol to the cultural doorstep of OKC and it is truly a thrill not to be missed!"

Each performance of Reduxion's "Night of Grand Guignol" promises to challenge our humanity and titillate the senses. Featuring several vignettes per night, "Grand Guignol" performances cover topics like adultery, perceptions of beauty, mental disorder, love and pain. Reduxion plans an entertaining menu of "The Final Kiss," "Jack," "The Light House," "Guillotine," "Doing the Deed," "The System of Dr. Tarr and Mr. Feather" and "Kiss of Blood," as well as a few special surprises. Paying homage to original Grand Guignol performances, Reduxion's adaptations include gory special effects, violence, sexuality and risqué antics.

"We're excited to present this provocative art form to Oklahoma City for the very first time," said Tim Berg, "Night of Grand Guignol" Director.

the last performance s of Grand Guignol will run October 26 and 27, Friday and Saturdays venings, with Friday shows differing from Saturday shows. Reduxion recommends attending a Friday and a Saturday

performance in order to experience all seven vignettes. Performances include adult themes and are intended for audience members 18 and older; no children, please.

Grand Guignol serves as the special "Second Stage" opener for Reduxion's fifth season, entitled "Revolution." The "Revolution" season continues November 9 and will feature "Richard III," "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Tom Jones."

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military with I.D. Show-times are 8:00 pm, with a special midnight performance. A free parking lot is adjacent to the theater. Additional street parking is available. Tickets are available for purchase online at reduxiontheatre.com or call 651-3191, or at the door, before each performance.

ABOUT REDUXION THEATRE COMPANY

About Reduxion Theatre Company:

Reduxion's performance venue, the Broadway Theater, is located at 1613 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103. For more details, directions or to order tickets visit reduxiontheatre.com.

Reduxion Theatre Company is a non-profit corporation with a mission to professionally produce both classical and contemporary theater, enriching Oklahoma's cultural, educational and economic climate, attracting artists and audiences from around the world.