LAB to Offer Accessible Performances of Who Would Be King
Liars & Believers (LAB), Boston's innovative experimental theatre company since 2010, announces special accessible performances of their original world premiere production Who Would Be King. All performances will be super-title captioned, on November 12 an interfaith talkback will be held after the performance, on November 13 the performance will be audio-described. In addition, a limited number of subsidized rush seats are also available during the production run. Performances are held at OBERON, American Repertory Theater's (A.R.T.) second destination stage for nightlife on the fringe of Harvard Square, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge. The production is conceived and directed by Jason Slavick, written by the LAB ensemble, with music and lyrics by Jay Mobley.
LAB expands the language of live performance, exploring the widest variety of theatrical innovation, creating accessible, unique shows that engage meaningfully through the unexpected. With a commitment to creating theatre that is accessible for all artists and audiences, LAB pursues a mission of making the art form a source of entertainment to engage, stimulate and inspire. The artistic team's commitment to accessibility inspired the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) to honor the theatre company with an UP designation, an initiative to make Massachusetts the most arts accessible state in the nation. Super-title captioning is achieved through a multi-media presentation, allowing for an entertaining experience for Deaf and hard of hearing theatre goers. A new audio description pilot program for vision impaired and blind audiences is marked for expansion during future productions.
The creative team will be joined by a panel of community members for the interfaith talkback event following the November 12 performance. The panelists are Isaac Everett, Minister of Liturgical Arts at The Crossing, Tamar Schapiro, Visiting Associate Professor of Philosophy at MIT, and Rabbi Yakov Komisar, a faculty member at Gann Academy. In a moderated conversation with the audience, they will discuss the roles of faith and God in the show and in society.
OBERON has become an incubator for local and emerging artists, attracting national attention for its innovative programming. Liars & Believers is part of the OBERON Artists in Residence program, which is rooted in the American Repertory Theater's mission to expand the boundaries of theater by supporting emerging artists and new work development over a three year residency. Drawing on the wealth of collaborative performing and visual artists in the Boston region, LAB integrates incredible talent, striving to redefine the very meaning of theatre and its audiences. LAB produces "living" interdisciplinary works that are moving, thought provoking, sensory explosions, often resulting in creative amalgamations of movement and dance, live singing and music, puppetry, masks, clowning, and spoken word. Additionally, LAB promotes the work of local creative artists, creating a community that fosters communication and collaboration.
Violence and betrayal, angels and prophets, villains and kings...and rubber chickens. Who rises to rule and how far will the risen fall in the great clown kingdom of Who Would Be King? Liars & Believers' original epic production explores the biblical story of King Saul in high drama, swinging from absurd buffoonery to high tragedy, with kinetic physicality, silliness, swords, and a live synthwave score. Who Would Be King tells the story of a good man given an impossible task and asks, "What separates good from great, and what lies in the chasm between?"
Who Would Be King performs on select nights from November 5 through 22. Tickets range from $25 to $35, with a limited number of subsidized seats at the door for $10, thanks to the generous donations by LAB's Indiegogo supporters. LAB mailing list subscribers and social media followers can purchase tickets for $20 via email access code. For a special discount when purchasing 6 or more tickets, please call the A.R.T. box office at 617-547-8300.
For a complete performance schedule or to order tickets, please visit http://americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/who-would-be-king-0, or call the box office is at 617-547-8300. Performances are handicap accessible. For the latest information, visit http://www.liarsandbelievers.com/ or follow Liars & Believers on Facebook and Twitter.