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  • A Noise Within

    Jean Genet based The Maids on a real murder case from 1933

    Christine and Léa Papin were real-life sisters who came from an abusive, dysfunctional, poor family. As adults, the two were extremely close and may have had an incestuous relationship. They worked as maids for the Lancelin family for many years, but one night in February 1933, they brutally murdered their employer, Madame Lancelin, and her daughter, Genvieve, in their home….

  • A Noise Within

    Quackery and Medicine in 17th Century France

    The Imaginary Invalid references many questionable antiquated medical practices. Learn more about the real-life history of “medicine” in 17th Century France: “We are doctors come to warn you Of the phonies out to harm you Could your guru be a schmuck? If it quacks, then it’s a duck! Your guru scoffs at your queries, And…

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    The Imaginary Invalid: Notes on Names

    Enrich your experience of The Imaginary Invalid and discover the fascinating explanations behind the show’s meaningful character names: Argan’s name sounds a little like “argent,” which [in French] means “money.” It also sounds a bit like “Orgon,” a character from another of Molière’s plays whose faith in the titular character, Tartuffe, is comparable to Argan’s faith in doctors. Béline’s name is loosely…

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    Take a Closer Look: Arcadia‘s Thomasina Coverly

    DID YOU KNOW? It is widely believed that the character of Thomasina Coverly in Arcadia is loosely based on Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician in the 1800’s. Many people actually regard her as the first computer programmer! Though Stoppard has actually denied the connection, Lovelace was the daughter of the famous poet, Lord Byron, an historical figure who is heavily featured…

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    Arcadia‘s Playwright: Tom Stoppard

    “It is a mistake to assume that plays are the end products of ideas (which would be limiting): the ideas are the end products of the plays.” TOM STOPPARD was born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlin, Czechoslovakia, in 1937. In 1939 his family immigrated to Singapore, which Tom evacuated with his mother and brother in 1942 before the World War II Japanese…

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    Arcadia: Meet the Characters

    Meet the incredible cast of Arcadia in the video below and read on to find out what our actors love about the characters they play. Ezra Chater played by Jeremy Rabb What I find endearing about Chater is his ability to overlook the relentless assaults on his dignity for a taste of genuine affirmation and fame….

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    ANW welcomes four new board members

    ANW’s Board of Directors is an exceptional group of dedicated individuals with various backgrounds and endless expertise and wisdom. We are pleased to announce our four newest members. Long-time patron and supporter Jeanie Kay and her husband Terry Kay, ANW Board President from 2003-2014, were also instrumental during the capital campaign and ANW’s move to…

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    The American Dream, a summary

    The highly anticipated The American Dream: A Resident Artist Reading Festival was a huge success – an auspicious start to the many wonderful events planned around this, our milestone 25th anniversary season! From July 22-24, more than 500 patrons enjoyed six classic American plays, along with delicious food and beverages from an array of local…

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    Share your story: Peter Bachmann

    How (and when) did you discover ANW? I have always been a fan of classical theatre. I went to one of your early productions in Glendale and was immediately stuck by the quality of the actors and the experience itself. I have loved so many plays I’ve seen [at ANW]. Last fall’s All My Sons was…

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