Good Morning Gloucester

World Premier of playwright Aurora Real de Asua’s breakout new comedy at Gloucester Stage from July 5 – 28

Gloucester Stage Company is thrilled to announce the next production in its 2024 season, WIPEOUT by Aurora Real de Asua. As part of its rolling world premiere through the National New Play Network, this breakout new play will run at Gloucester Stage from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 28.

Directed by the talented Shana Gozanskyº and starring Karen MacDonald (Gary), Cheryl D. Singleton (Claudia), Noelle Player (Wynn), and Thomas Bilotta (Blaze), WIPEOUT follows the story of Gary, who desires one thing for her seventy-seventh birthday: to go surfing. The only hiccup? She’s never touched the water. But with the assistance of a spirited teenage surf instructor and her two best friends, Gary is poised to conquer the unknown. Set on surfboards against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, WIPEOUT is a poignant comedy about friendship and the unpredictable tides of life.

“As a young surfer, I’d be paddling hard, getting ready to catch my wave, only to find a blissed-out grandmother already hanging ten. That’s what I love most about surfing. Anybody – any body – can do it. The ocean is our great equalizer,” said playwright Aurora Real de Asua. “It has a way of revealing the truth, of disintegrating the boundaries we place around ourselves and each other. This play is my love letter to the joys of surfing, the power of the ocean, and the tenacity of female friendship.”

“We are honored to be a part of the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere, partnering with Rivendell Theatre in Chicago, IL, and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, CA,” shared Gloucester Stage’s Artistic Director, Rebecca Bradshaw. “What is special about this collaboration is that each company has had a different director, design team, and cast – but have all worked from the same text. Aurora worked with each ensemble to hone the script and find nuances between each audience and performance. She will join us in Gloucester for the final leg with tools and lessons she’s learned along the way – what a gift! We are grateful for a process like this as it underscores our commitment to supporting playwrights and fostering new works.”

WIPEOUT has already garnered great attention. It was workshopped at prestigious venues, including Manhattan Theatre Club and Williamstown Theatre Festival, before arriving on Gloucester Stage’s shore.

“I feel quite lucky to be the last production in this rolling premiere. Aurora has learned so much from her other collaborators, including the generous audiences who have attended performances and readings. I’m so grateful for Aurora’s endless curiosity and openness about how to design a play that takes place in the ocean. I am excited to share what we’re creating,” shared the production’s Director, Shana Gozansky. “At its core, this play celebrates living and all the wisdom from our experiences – no matter a person’s age. It’s one of those plays that feels like a privilege to be a part of, and I hope audiences feel the same after seeing our production.”

WIPEOUT‘s creative team includes Jenna McFarland Lord (scenic design), Jen Greeke (Costume Design), Kat Zhou (lighting design), Aubrey Dube (sound design), and Carolyn Ferris (prop design).

WIPEOUT will run from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 28. All performances, unless noted, are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company, located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Tickets are now on sale and available at GloucesterStage.com.

The 2024 Season at Gloucester Stage has been made possible by the Shubert Foundation. WIPEOUT is made possible in part by Suzanna Natti and Alan Willsky.

PERFORMANCE TIMES AND LOCATIONS:  Unless noted, all performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company, located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets to the Gloucester Stage 2023 season are on sale now. Single Ticket prices range from $15 to $67, with discounts available for seniors, military families, college students, youth under 18, young professionals under 35, Card to Culture (E.B.T. and W.I.C.), and Cape Ann residents. For detailed ticket information, visit http://www.gloucesterstage.com.

Season Packages start at $200 for four tickets for any mainstage performance and include early access to seating, no fees, and free ticket exchanges. Packages can be purchased or renewed by calling the Box Office at 978.281.4433 or visiting gloucesterstage.com/subscribe.

For additional information, contact the Box Office at 978.281.4433 or boxoffice@gloucesterstage.com. Located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, the Box Office is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.

ºStage Directors and Choreographers Society (S.D.C.) Union Member     *Actors Equity Association (A.E.A.) Union Member

The traditional Sunday procession was held with humid conditions but the smiles were rampant. A sea of “whites”, statues and beautiful children made their way past hundreds of enthusiastic spectators. Until next year…….

Again, congratulations Derek Hopkins on his newest Greasy Pole win! It was an exciting evening out there on the pole with some interesting walkers including the rare appearance of a woman Catherine Frontiero. Thanks for a great show walkers! Here are some memories I’d like to share. Another year in the books!

For the Men, ZFG regained the title and in the Junior Men the title was retained by Salty Sea Men. Both races were very competitive and demonstrated great skills. Congratulations as well to The Merger and Kaos with the seniors and Apostles along with Warri-OARS for a great Sunday afternoon of competition. Some memories follow.

Congratulations Salty Sea-Men on defending your Junior Mens Seine Boat title. Well done by Aposltes and Warri-OARS. More photos tomorrow.

The threatening skies held off for the evening and the Mens Finals for the Seine Boat races was a race worthy of a championship run. Congratulations to ZFG as well as to The Merger (2nd) and Kaos (3rd). More photos tomorrow. Rest up guys! Great race!

It’s Derek again! He won his sixth Greasy Pole flag as the second walker in the second competitive round for tonight’s Greasy Pole. More photos tomorrow but it was a great night for walking! Congratulations Derek, your talent is very special.

Delicacy…

Doug Johnson, owner of Annisquam Studios, featured Fiesta photos by Walter Bibikow and Good Harbor surfing photos by photographer Daniel Tedeschi, among others. Johnson met Tedeschi 22 years ago when he was his high school photography teacher, and he’s been a fan since! Come on down and check out this show until August 11th at 34 Leonard St.

Doug and former student Daniel Tedeschi

Bob Callahan sculptor

Fiesta photos

Betty and Rita Go To Paris-Michael Malyszko

Who: Janie Brendel & Friends: DANCES to the Music of Brahms

Time: Friday, August 2nd at 7:30pm and Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30pm

Place: Windhover Center for the Performing Arts on the outdoor stage covered by a tent

257R Granite St, Rockport, MA. 01966

Renowned modern dancer Janie Brendel and her New York City dance company Janie Brendel & Friends will be performing a portion of their complete show, “Inspired” at the Windhover Center for the Performing Arts. It is a tribute to Howard Gilman, White Oak, and the dances it inspired.

Janie Brendel & Friends spent three life changing summers in residency rehearsing and creating dances at Howard Gilman’s White Oak, a 13,000 acre conservation center, wildlife preserve, and utopia for dance. The dances are all set to the music of Johannes Brahms, rooted in both its passion and compassion. The works are infused with the luxuriant beauty of this paradise, the powerful spirit of its roaming animals, and the kind generous people who worked there, the White Oak family.  This dance project is being done in the spirit of gratitude, which was the feeling generated by White Oak. They will share two and a half of the four dances, a glimpse of the entire show. The choreographers brought to White Oak were Adam Hougland and Kenny Larson. They also rehearsed and performed a piece by Peggy Baker.

At a time when both the arts and the earth are under serious threat, Mr. Gilman’s vision of dance and nature has never been more relevant. The beauty of Windhover is an ideal setting to feature these works.

Conceived by Janie Brendel

Artistic Directors for Inspired:

Janie Brendel, Roger C. Jeffrey, and Jason Jordan

Dancers:

Janie Brendel, Jennifer Golonka, Roger C. Jeffrey, Jason Jordan, Aaron Loux, Xavier Porro,

Uta Takemura

Program includes: 41 minutes

• Peggy Baker’s “Her Heart” danced to Brahms Opus 117 #1 for one dancer

• Brahms Opus 118 #5 a recording made by our pianist and Musical Director John Gavalchin

piano only, no dancers

• Adam Hougland’s Brahms Opus 91 for piano, soprano, and viola, and four dancers

• Adam Hougland, a 17-minute excerpt of his Brahms Opus 36, string sextet for 6 dancers

Tickets range from $10-$20 and can be purchased in advance at

https://windhover.org/event/janie-brendel-friends/ Or go onto the

Windhover.org website under the tab: “Performances” and follow the link.