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DTC Replaces Bloodsucker with Bloodless Comedy


by Jerome Weeks 8 Oct 2012 11:17 AM

The world premiere of The Dracula Cycle has been postponed. In its place? The Odd Couple.

CTA TBD

The Dallas Theater Center has postponed its world premiere of Robert Aguirre-Sacasa’s The Dracula Cycle, which was scheduled for next spring, with Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. It seems playwright Aguirre-Sacasa is overbooked (he’s a producer and writer for Glee).

No word on cast or director.

UPDATE. Yes, it says in the opening graph that artistic director Kevin Moriarty will direct. Sorry. Disappointment causes me to skip-read.

The full press release follows:

Dallas Theater Center Announces

The Odd Couple

As Part of 2012 – 2013 Lineup

Postpones The DRACULA Cycle to Next Season

Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center  •  2400 Flora Street

Previews: March 15 – March 21, 2013  •  Opening Night: Friday, March 22 at 8:00pm

Full Run: March 15 – April 14, 2013

DALLAS (October 8, 2012) – Dallas Theater Center announced today a change for the 2012-2013 season: Neil Simon’s classic American comedy, The Odd Couple, has been added to the season.  The world premiere of The DRACULA Cycle will be postponed until next season.  DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct The Odd Couple, which will run from March 15 – April 14, 2013 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.

“I am very excited to add Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy classic, The Odd Couple, to our current season,” says Moriarty.  “I have loved Simon’s work since I first began attending professional plays as an audience member.  His witty dialogue, vibrant characters, timely themes and hilarious one-liners have made him one of the most produced playwrights of the twentieth century and a true legend of American stage comedy. The Odd Couple is one of his funniest and most popular plays.  It will be a great joy for me to direct this production.”

DTC is continuing to develop The DRACULA Cycle with playwright Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa, whose many current projects include his work as a producer and writer for the TV show Glee and writing the screenplay for a new film version of Carrie that will open in theaters this winter.  He is also writing a new play, Abigail/1702, which will be produced at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in January.

“In an effort to provide The DRACULA Cycle with the utmost attention and care, and to give Roberto time to accomplish the many projects he has under way, we have decided to postpone its world premiere until next season,” says Moriarty.  “We are certain DRACULA will thrill audiences in Dallas next season and then have a significant future life at theaters across the country for years to come.”

The Odd Couple begins previews on Friday March 15 at 8:00pm with a Pay-What-You-Can performance.  Tickets to this performance will be available for purchase online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org.  Only unsold tickets to the PWYC performance will be available for purchase at the box office the night of the show.  DTC’s Stay Late program will take place after each performance.  Patrons will have the opportunity to engage with artists, learn about the production and share insights about the play in a lively discussion.  Tickets for The Odd Couple go on sale for Friends@DTC on Monday, November 26, and to the public on Monday, December 3.  Ticket prices start at $15 and are available online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by phone at (214) 880-0202.

Dallas Theater Center thanks Assistant Producing Partners PwC and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams for their generous support of The Odd Couple.

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About Jerome Weeks

Jerome Weeks is the Senior Arts Reporter/Producer for KERA. Previously at The Dallas Morning News, he was the book columnist for 10 years and the drama critic for 10 years before that. His writing has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, American Theatre and Men’s Vogue magazines. View more about Jerome Weeks.

COMMENTS

  • JAC ALDER

    Though I understand and share your disappointment in “The DRACULA Cycle” being taken from the Theater Center’s schedule, it’s shabby of you to snigger that “The Odd Couple” is a “bloodless comedy”. I know, I know, it’s an overly familiar piece to someone of your play going experience but it’s often produced because it is a brilliant construct, and has no laughs not earned by astute understanding of psychology (both of the play’s characters and its audiences). Jerome, I think you owe some respect to Mr. Simon and his literary legacy, particularly the play I consider his best, “The Odd Couple”. Let’s look forward to DTC’s take on it. JAC ALDER

  • JAC ALDER

    Though I understand and share your disappointment in “The DRACULA Cycle” being taken from the Theater Center’s schedule, it’s shabby of you to snigger that “The Odd Couple” is a “bloodless comedy”. I know, I know, it’s an overly familiar piece to someone of your play going experience but it’s often produced because it is a brilliant construct, and has no laughs not earned by astute understanding of psychology (both of the play’s characters and its audiences). Jerome, I think you owe some respect to Mr. Simon and his literary legacy, particularly the play I consider his best, “The Odd Couple”. Let’s look forward to DTC’s take on it. JAC ALDER