Go to the Actors’ Theatre website for more information and to order your tickets today!

(From www.mlive.com)

Actors’ Theatre Explores Faith in its Upcoming Production, “Next Fall”

By Katerie Prior | On-the-Town

“A faith is a necessity to a man,” author Victor Hugo once wrote. “Woe to him who believes in nothing.” Even if faith is a necessity, at some point in life, we find that faith tested. Whether the test is life-threatening or small (something that comes up in conversation with good friends), we gain insight into the complexities of faith in a belief. This month, Actors’ Theatre explores this concept of faith in Next Fall.

In some ways, Luke and Adam are the perfect odd couple. Luke is a young, devout Christian. Adam is older, a bit of a hypochondriac, and a staunch atheist. It’s a dynamic in their relationship that leads to witty, sometimes contradictory banter around more profound conversations. But when Luke is in an accident and falls into a coma, Adam is heartbroken and somewhat lost. Grappling for answers from friends and Luke’s divorced parents, Adam is left remembering Luke’s words and pondering the faith in his own beliefs.

When Next Fall premiered off-Broadway in 2009, it was a critical success. On Broadway a year later, the play was nominated for numerous awards, including Best Play. But the real attraction to the play is the conversation between the characters about faith, belief, and religion. While written in a smart, approachable, and sometimes funny repartee, you’re still left pondering some of the questions that are being asked, even if they conflict with your own beliefs.

For Director Tom Kaechele, contemplating the nature of belief is something he hopes that audiences will do. “I think they’ll come away reflecting on their own belief system and having a better understanding of other views,” he said. “I think that when theater is at its best, it gets people thinking, and opens their minds to other possibilities.”

Actors’ Theatre presents Geoffrey Nauffts’s Next Fall January 26—February 4. Showtime is 8 p.m. at Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets are $26—$22 with $10 student rush tickets available forty-five minutes before the show. Call 234-3946 or visit actorstheatregrandrapids.org

Next Fall runs January 27th & 28th and February 2, 3 & 4th.  Go to the Actors’ Theatre website today to order your tickets for this wonderful show.

Geoffrey Nauffts, Playwright

Mr. Nauffts has worked as an actor both on and off Broadway, regionally and extensively in film and television. He’s directed short plays by Kenneth Lonergan, Frank Pugliese, David Marshall Grant, Theresa Rebeck and Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as the critically acclaimed production of Steven Belber’s Tape in New York, Los Angeles and London. He wrote, directed and co-starred in the award-winning short film Baby Steps with Kathy Bates and co-wrote Jenifer, a movie of the week for CBS with David Marshall Grant. His hit play Next Fall first played off-Broadway in 2009 before transferring to Broadway in 2010. Geoffrey is the current artistic director of Naked Angels in New York City where he’s been a proud member for over twenty-three years.

Tom Kaechele, Director

Tom Kaechele holds a Master’s degree in Directing from Wayne State University and is the head of the theater program at Grand Rapids Community College. In addition to his on and off stage work with Actors’ Theatre, his previous directing credits at Actors’  include The Little Dog Laughed, Lieutenant of Inishmore, Rabbit Hole, Fat Pig, and Lobby Hero. Other local directing credits include Rumors, RENT and Noises Off for Circle Theatre. Tom and his wonderful wife Amy have four exceptional children; Celia, Owen, Adelinne, and Linus.

Next Fall opens tomorrow night! 

Go to www.atgr.org to order tickets today!

Actors’ Theatre presentation of Tony-nominated ‘Next Fall’ will make audiences think

Published: Saturday, January 21, 2012, 7:00 AM
By Lorilee Craker | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — Luke is a devout believer who thinks his homosexuality is a sin; Adam is an atheist who believes in everything but God.

Performances begin Thursday: Actors' Theatre presents "Next Fall" with Dylan Harris, left, as Luke, and Larry Young as Adam. Photo Credit: Jon M. Brouwer | Grand Rapids Press

Despite their different world views, they have made their relationship work for five years when a car accident changes everything. This is the setup for “Next Fall,” a play to be staged for the first time in West Michigan by Actors’ Theatre, starting Thursday.

Director Tom Kaechele was riveted when he saw it off-Broadway in 2009.

“I loved this play, because it made me think more than I ever have in the theater,” he said. “Just when you think you know where the play sides, it surprises you. When you think it will go left, it goes right.”

“Next Fall” opened off-Broadway in 2009 before playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre until July 2010 after 150-plus performances. It garnered golden critical acclaim and top award nominations, including for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play.  (…)

Check out the rest of the article, here on www.mlive.com or go to Actors’ Theatre website to learn more and purchase tickets.  Remember – Next Fall opens this Thursday.  Get your tickets today!

Ellie Frances (Holly)

Ellie was most recently seen performing in Rumors (Chris) and Aint’ Misbehavin’ (Charlain) with Circle Theatre this past summer. Other Circle Theatre performances include: RENT (Maureen), Annie (Lily St Regis), and in years past, TOMMY (Mrs. Walker), Oliver! (Nancy) (Lead Actress Grand Award) and Moby Dick! (Esta). Her Actors’ Theatre credits include: The Sweetest Swing in Baseball (Rhonda/Dr. Gilbert), Distracted (Mrs. Holly/ Dr. Waller/Nurse), Mr. Marmalade (Sookie/Emily), A New Brain (Nancy D.), and Side Show (Violet Hilton). With Civic Theatre she appeared in The Producer’s (Ulla). Ellie also performs regularly as a cabaret artist, performing in theatres that include The Red Barn and Circle Theatre.

Dylan Harris (Luke)

Dylan was most recently seen performing in This is Our Youth (Warren) at Dog Story Theatre. Previous Actors’ Theatre credits include: The Drawer Boy (Miles), Mr. Marmalade (Larry, 2010 Grand Award), Rabbit Hole (Jason, 2008 Grand Award), and Kimberly Akimbo (Jeff, Grand Award Nom.). Other theatre credits include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Civic Theatre), Laughter on the 23rd Floor and The Chosen (Jewish Theatre), and The Lion in Winter (Heritage Theatre). He was also seen as the title role in Women and Wallace with Construction Zone Productions. By day, Dylan is a certified massage therapist and works for Peak Performance Chiropractic.

Rob Karel (Brandon)

Rob has been seen in Actors’ Theatre’s productions of Assassins (Hinckley), Elizabeth Rex, Side Show (Buddy), Kiss of the Spider Woman, Mr. Marmalade (Grand Award Nomination). Rob was also the stage manager for last season’s production of The Sweetest Swing in Baseball. Other stage credits include Honk!, Evita, The 25th…Spelling Bee, Forbidden Broadway (Grand Award), Moby Dick! The Musical, RENT, The Full Monty, and Sunday in the Park with George. Recent directing/assistant directing credits include Women and Wallace, The Women of Broadway, Paragon Springs, and Blue’s Clues Live!

Amy Osborn (Arlene)

Amy has performed in numerous shows for Actors’ Theatre dating back to her debut in Top Girls in 1992. She was last seen on stage at this theater in the 2008 production of David Lindsay Abaire’s Pultizer prize-winning Rabbit Hole. In addition to her work for Actors’, she has been seen in roles at Circle Theatre, most recently in Funny Money and Noises Off  by Michael Frayn. Favorite Actors’ roles include Little Bit in How I Learned to Drive, Terri in Sideman, and Debra in Kimberly Akimbo.

Greg Rogers (Butch)

Greg is no stranger to audience members of Actors’ Theatre. Greg’s relationship with Actors’ Theatre started in 1992, when he appeared in the Fred Sebulske directed Marvin’s Room with his son, Joe. Since then, Greg has performed in more than 17 Actors’ productions, fundraisers, etc. most recently in last season’s Opus. Some of his favorite Actors’ work includes Tent Meeting, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Urinetown: The Musical, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians. Greg served on the board of Actors’ Theatre for 17 years and is currently chair of its Play Selection Committee. Among his many accomplishments, Greg has been nominated for eight Grand Awards and has won twice for his work in The Cripple of Inishmaan and in Circle Theatre’s The Vast Difference.

Larry Young (Adam)

Larry was first seen on Actors’ Theatre stage in their 2000 production of the musical Floyd Collins.  Since then he has performed in numerous shows and has received Grand Awards for his performances in Actors’ Theatre’s Bat Boy, Urinetown: The Musical and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Larry is a graduate of Hope College with a B.A. in Theatre performance and currently is the managing director of Creative Edge Productions.