'The Aliens’ comes to The Players’ Ring Theatre
PORTSMOUTH - After the success of "Is Edward Snowden Single?" almost exactly one year ago, the Players' Ring Theatre and Bardo Theatre Company collaborate once again on “The Aliens” by Annie Baker, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2010 and won the Obie Award for Best New American Play.
Co-Directed by Timothy Hackney and Lindsay Hackney, “The Aliens” will be at the Ring March 8 through March 24.
Set in the fictional town of Shirley, Vermont - as three other plays by Annie Baker – “The Aliens” is a funny, heartening play with music about art, friendship, and love.
Jasper (Robert Fabricio Armstrong) and KJ (Timothy Hackney) are disillusioned New England 30-somethings who regularly meet behind the local coffee shop to mediate about music, poetry, psychedelic mushrooms and Bukowski.
In the past, KJ and Jasper hoped to form a band to be known as (among other names) The Aliens. Now they just shoot the breeze until a young coffee-shop temp, Evan (Sam Robert Rogers), is slowly magnetized by their laidback lifestyle, and Jasper and KJ welcome him into their merry band of misfits.
Tim Hackney also created the set and prop design; Billy Butler the lighting design.
The Ring asked director Tim Hackney a few questions about the play.
Why “The Aliens”?
This play stood out to me because of its rich character development, nuanced dialogue, and the way it explores themes of friendship, isolation, and the search for meaning in life,” Hackney said.
“The play provides a genuine and authentic portrayal of the human experience, and as a director, I am drawn to works that challenge both the actors and the audience to delve into the complexities of the characters and the story.”
What do you hope the audience will experience during and after the performance?
“After attending the show, I hope that the audience carries with them a sense of shared humanity, having witnessed the vulnerabilities and aspirations of the characters on stage,” Hackney said. “Whether it's a newfound perspective on friendship, a deeper appreciation for the beauty in ordinary moments, or a reflection on the quest for meaning in their own lives, I want the experience to linger and provoke thought.”
Tell us a bit about Bardo Theatre Company
“Bardo Theatre Company is a passion project born out of a desire to create immersive and thought-provoking theatrical experiences that resonate with the audience on a deep level,” Hackney said.
“The name ‘Bardo’ is inspired by the Tibetan Buddhist term, referring to the intermediate state between death and rebirth – a concept that encapsulates transformation and transition, much like the journey that theater can offer.”
Our vision is to be a platform for storytelling that goes beyond mere entertainment. It aims to produce works that challenge conventional norms, spark introspection, and explore the complexities of the human experience, while placing a strong emphasis on community engagement and inclusivity,” Hackney added.
The Players' Ring is grateful for the support of its Main Sponsors: The Eppes-Jefferson Foundation, The Puddle Dock Restaurant, Tour Restaurant, Southport Printing Company, Kennebunk Savings and MacEdge.
Across from the Ring, The Puddle Dock restaurant and its sister restaurant, Tour, on Lafayette Road offer a 10% discount on food to Players' Ring patrons. Visit their websites to reserve, and present your ticket when you ask for your check.
Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. General admission: $28; Students/Seniors (65+): $25. This show is included in our subscription packages. Visit www.playersring.org to purchase tickets.