‘Once Upon A Rhyme’ in a staged reading at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's New Works Festival.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 21st annual New Works Festival, Aug. 9-18, will give theatergoers a firsthand look at four staged readings that could become hits.
Because these are readings, there are no sets or costumes, and the actors read from scripts. Audience members are invited to give feedback after each performance.
Over the years, several New Works Festival shows have gone on to wider production. They include “Memphis,” “Nan and the Lower Body,” “Emma” and others.
The festival opens with a musical, “Molly Bell’s Hysterical,” based the namesake playwright, composer and performer who is trying to balance family, career, a mysterious illness and lingering dreams. It’s slated for 8 p.m. Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Aug. 16 and 3 p.m. Aug. 18.
Next up is another musical, “5 & Dime,” based on “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.” It’s set in 1975 in a small Texas town where a Jimmy Dean fan club is holding its 20th reunion. Performances are at 3 p.m. Aug. 11, 7 p.m. Aug. 14 and 8 p.m. Aug. 17.
“Liebling” by Vichet Chum is next, playing at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 and 3 p.m. Aug. 17. Two promising American novelists of Cambodian and German backgrounds, respectively, confront their war-haunted heritages and try to salvage their personal lives.
In “A Driving Beat” by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, a white mother with a history and a brown adopted son set off on a cross-country road trip set to the teen’s hip-hop beat. It’s scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and noon Aug. 17.
Food trucks will be available from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 17 for people who see both this and “Liébling” that day.
In addition, Bay Area artists Carlos Aguirre will be the keynote speaker following a welcome dinner Aug. 9.
Two events will complete the schedule with Meet the Artists at noon Aug. 18 followed by a birthday party for Giovanna Sardelli, the company’s artistic director.
All events will take place at the Lucie Stern Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
The theater is being remodeled, but the work isn’t complete. New plush seats have yet to be installed, but audiences will sit on temporary chairs with foam padding.
For complete information, including ticket prices, call (650) 463-1060 or visit theatreworks.org. The popular festival runs August 9-18, 2024 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Festival passes ($65 general) and single event tickets ($25) can be purchased online at theatreworks.org or by calling (650) 463-1960.
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