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book and lyrics by Marilyn Baron and Sharon Goldman directed by Peter Hardy
music direction by Olivia Sloan Ivey

FEATURING THE READING AND MUSICAL TALENTS OF: Rylee Bunton as Sunny, Barry West as Chuck, Darrell Wofford as Stan, Anjil Jeter as Davonda, Pat Bell as Grace, Sarah Cave as Julia, Patrick Hill as Brett and Jean-Pierre, Robert Wayne as Monty Stone and Dr. Wilson, Marc Gowan as Mr. Mathers, Bobbie Elzey as Lillian, Betty Mitchell as Mildred, Marianne Geyer as Bessie Nat Martin as Pastor Brown,

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March 30, 1922 – January 2, 2019

William Marion Hardy, father of Essential’s founding Artistic Director Peter Hardy, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2019, at the age of 96, at the Dubose Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

When asked if he had any hobbies, he said “Not really. The theatre
was my profession and I had the good fortune to thoroughly enjoy
my work. I didn’t need any other hobby.”

To read his full obituary, written by Peter, click here.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Essential’s newly renamed Bill and Martha Nell Hardy Memorial Fund.

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In the just-released ArtsATL “Year in Review,” this summer’s World Premiere of Avery Sharpe’s WOKE was named “Play We Couldn’t Shake.” Curators of the list added, “The summer of 2018 can be described as the summer of Avery Sharpe; we sincerely hope it’s the first of many.”

All three of the Best Performers named in the list – Anthony Goolsby, Ashley Anderson, and Lee Osorio – have Essential ties as well!

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Big Congratulations to Betty Hart, who just won the True West Award in Denver, Colorado!
Before moving to Denver, Betty played a big part in some of Essential’s growth years, directing productions of JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS, THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH, A THOUSAND CIRCLETS and EVELYN IN PURGATORY.

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Returning at Theatrical Outfit November 21 – December 23, 2018, this holiday hit by Decatur native and Essential veteran playwright Lauren Gunderson features Amelia Fischer (Dispossessed, 2016 Essential Theatre Play Festival) in the title role. The production team is peppered with other familiar Essential names, including Lee Osorio and Galen Crawley in the cast, Alex Riviere (lighting design) and Barbara Gantt O’Haley (production stage manager).

“When my co-author Margot Melcon and I started Miss Bennet, we wanted to create a holiday story for everyone that explores the complexities of family and love.

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Ashley Anderson, last seen on Essential’s stage in the title role of the box office hit Ada and the Memory Engine by Lauren Gunderson, can currently be seen in an entirely different kind of performance at The Space in Smyrna.  Just four performances remain of the exciting show Curious Reverie, created by Havoc Movement Company, “…a self-described ‘action-circus theatre’ group whose upcoming gallery show is as likely to appeal to lovers of fairy tales as to fans of death-defying stunts.” You won’t want to miss it!

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Two shows for the price of one at Dad’s Garage! The first half is Dad’s classic long form improv show. The second half features Topher Payne, who is an Essential veteran, one of Atlanta’s premier playwrights and a (we’re totally being serious about this) Hallmark channel movie writer. Topher will narrate as the Dad’s gang improvise a Hallmark movie right before your eyes.

Shows on Dec 7 and Dec 21 at 10:30pm.
dadsgarage.com for tickets.

UPDATE:  Dec 28 added performance was a success:

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“Celebrating 20 seasons of developing new plays by Georgia playwrights, Essential Theatre has launched the careers of some of the nation’s most important contemporary writers.” -Atlanta Magazine

We’re so proud to have been named Best New Play Incubator of 2018 in December’s issue of Atlanta Magazine! It’s a heartwarming and inspiring way to round out an already pretty incredible year!

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