| Love Sonatas at the Long Center |
| Written by Ryan E. Johnson | |
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Love Sonatas is a five-play cycle chronicling the inter-mingling lives of 20 people, each trying, in their own way, to discover what love is about. The plays will “explore the brutality that lives inside all relationships—how they can destroy us and build us back up again.” The plays will feature characters “haunted by their past, and trapped by their actions.” Not all the characters in these morality plays will find redemption, “but even in the darkest moments, hope survives”. Liz Fisher, star of Strokes, the fourth play in the cycle (she is also the marketing and programs director of the HBMG Foundation) notes the significance of this performance. “For some companies, five plays represent an entire season,” she says. “But for the HBMG Foundation, it’s the exciting conclusion to a 17-year journey.” Fisher also said the five-play cycle packs something for just about everybody. “This cycle is a collaborative project that includes original VFX animation, film, music, dance, and visual art.”  Photo: Will Hollis Snider The cycle begins with FourSquare, directed by Aaron Sanders. FourSquare is the story of four very different people wandering along the water’s edge, trying to make sense of the life around them. The play features a talented group of actors who have worked with some big names in film and TV, including actress Jessica Robertson (who has worked with Vince Vaughn, Chuck Norris and Ashley Judd) and Rommel Sulit’s (Richard Linklater, Kevin Costner and William Hurt). The cast also includes Travis Bedard and Martinique Duchene.  Photo: Will Hollis Snider The second play in the cycle is the lost-and-found tale Sonata Escondida. A cynical pianist living in the middle of the Sierra Madres discovers her ex-boyfriend of decades past, a mysterious artist named Luis, at her door. The play unfolds as they visit their past, and imagine what might have been. Sonata Escondida stars Tom Truss, Rebecca Robinson, Halena Hays, and Liz Watts, and is directed by Will Hollis Snider, former member of the team behind Searching…, winner of the grand prize at the 2006 ArtSpark Festival.  Photo: Will Hollis Snider In the middle, Shards makes child play of the love triangle with the wicked story of a love pentagon that could mean disaster for all involved. As the characters try to find their true loves, their backstabbing and sneaking leads them down dangerous roads. The play features Jon Boatwright, Beth Burroughs, Christina Childress, Chris Doubeck, Curtis Wayne and Chase Wooldridge, and is directed by Paula Russell.  Photo: Will Hollis Snider Stroke is the story of an artist recovering from a stroke and his unlikely new muse. As the bond between them grows, the model/artist relationship takes on a whole new element, which has the potential to improve, or ruin, both their lives. The play features multiple BIP and Critic Table award nominee Liz Fisher, as well as Douglas Taylor and Sarah Bayne. Fisher, who has been preparing for the play for almost three years, says “this play has stretched and challenged me every time I’ve walked into the rehearsal room.” This challenge is not only a credit to the script, but to the great director and cast as well. Stroke is directed by Robert Matney, and features original paintings by acclaimed artist David Ohlerking.  Photo: Will Hollis Snider The cycle is brought to a close with the story of Kuka, a woman trapped in a Guatemalan prison who is forced to choose between betraying her family or losing her life. The play stars Karen Alvarado and Ben Wolfe, along with Matt Barrera, Joseph David, Anika Kunik, Titos Menchaca, John Paul Padilla and Tina Rodriguez. |
After many years of planning, and searching, playwright Manuel Zarate and the HBMG Foundation are finally ready to set their baby free to the waiting arms of Austin. InLove Sonatas, the HBMG brings together three directors and 25 actors, as well as plenty of artists, animators, filmmakers and musicians in one of the biggest events to hit town this season. The play cycle combines live theater, film and digital 3-D animation, so at the very least it’s sure to be one of the most unique.