Tag Archive for: horizon theatre company

HORIZON THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ATLANTA PREMIERE OF LAUGHS IN SPANISH – MAY 23 TO JUNE 22

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/22/25

Latin-infused comedy to play at Inman Park theatre

“A great show… I can see the play itself becoming a new American Classic.” – Broadway World

Part telenovela, part whodunnit, Laughs in Spanish comes to Horizon Theatre May 23 – June 22. High stakes Art Basel is about to begin in Miami, and the art has vanished from Mariana’s trendy modern art gallery! Chaos erupts—and so does laughter— in this fast-paced comedy. Artist and intern Caro and her policeman boyfriend are scrambling to find the thief or replace the art when Mari’s larger-than-life movie-star mother shows up, stealing the spotlight yet again. Then a past girl-crush arrives, and things get even more complicado. Laughs in Spanish is a joyous celebration of Latinx creativity, messy love, mothers and daughters, and the beautiful challenge of finding your place—and your people. This production is performed in English.

“Laughs in Spanish is a vibrant, heartfelt comedy that shines a light on the joy and chaos of a Latinx family and identity,” said Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “It’s fresh, funny and full of heart—perfect for anyone who loves a good laugh with a lot of soul.”

At the helm of this cafecito-infused comedy is Erika Miranda, a Mexican-Norwegian actor, producer, director and founder of the Atlanta-based, incubative production company Cafecito Productions.  Erika is also an alumna of the Horizon Apprentice Company and was last seen on the Horizon stage in The Wolves. 

“Laughs in Spanish is a joyful comedy about art, identity and the beautiful chaos of being a daughter… or a mother… or a lover,” Director Erika Miranda explains. “Set in a Miami art gallery during the frenzy of Art Basel, the play kicks off with the entire exhibit being robbed and everyone pointing fingers. But the real drama is not just the missing art—it’s the emotional masterpieces we’re all trying to restore at home. The characters remind us that love isn’t always neat, vulnerability is never easy, and sometimes — rather than say ‘I love you,’ ‘I need you’ or ‘I believe in you’— we build cinematic empires and embark on life-altering adventures.  It’s heartfelt, hilarious and alive with the messy magic that unfolds when we begin to see our mothers not just as parents, but as people. Come for the laughs. Stay for the catharsis. Call your mother after.”

Miranda’s company’s first production, Mi Casa, which was first performed at Horizon during the Apprentice Company, can be found on all HBO platforms. Films produced by Cafecito Productions have been screened at festivals across the country, including Cleveland International and Palm Springs Short Fest. Trailer [Trash] Magic, Erika’s directorial debut, won the GA Film Impact Grant and premiered at LALIFF in 2024. Erika was also named One of the Amazing Women in Film by Oz Magazine (2023) and one of Georgia’s Top Industry Influencers by Georgia Entertainment (2024).  Erika is also first Executive Producer of SheATL Arts (of SheNY), a festival that mentors up-and-coming women playwrights.

In Laughs in Spanish, the stakes are high for young Miami gallery owner, Mariana (Ana Miramontes, seen regionally in productions at Houston’s Alley Theatre, Theatre Squared and Florida Studio Theatre), when art goes missing on the eve of Art Basel. Her artist intern, MFA student Caro (Lorena Guillen Castillo, SheATL, BFA NYU Tisch) and Caro’s policeman boyfriend Juan (Marcello Audino, City Springs’ Legally Blonde, Theatrical Outfit’s Clyde’s, Aurora’s The Play That Goes Wrong) are onsite to help through the panic while also uncovering some surprises of their own.  When Mariana’s movie-star mother (Denise Arribas, Horizon’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and The Book Club Play) and a past girl-crush (Mabel Thomas, BA Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) show up, the complications rise in this fast-paced comedy about art and success, love and romance, and mothers and daughters.

Performances begin Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m., with a Press Opening on May 30 at 8 p.m. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m., running through June 22.  Wednesday performances are May 28 and June 4 at 8 p.m. and June 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. There will be no Saturday matinee on June 7.  Seating is general admission with a reserved seating section for subscribers. General admission tickets start at $35 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $40 for all weekend performances. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability.  Full-time students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or at the door if tickets are available.  There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450. Horizon Theatre is in Iman Park/Little Five Points at 1083 Austin Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

HORIZON THEATRE PRESENTS JENNIFER BLACKMER’S I CAN CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME – MARCH 14 TO APRIL 5

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/10/25

Southeastern premiere of tour-de-force play starring Atlanta-favorite Carolyn Cook

Horizon Theatre Company continues its spectacular 40th season with the Southeastern premiere of the winner of the prestigious 2024 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Citation play I Carry Your Heart With Me, running March 14 – April 5 (press opening March 21). Esther, a stenographer inside a top-secret Vietnam-era debriefing room, has a picture-perfect world until she encounters an airman whose story quite literally changes her life. As she captures the stories of non-coms and POWs freshly back from the front lines, Esther finds herself smack dab in the middle of a troubling investigation. With plenty of twists and turns along the way, this tour-de-force starring renowned Atlanta actor Carolyn Cook is a taut, suspenseful mystery that packs a real emotional wallop.

“This play is an extraordinary story of a formative year in one woman’s life and how it profoundly shapes her future,” says Carolyn Cook. “Esther’s journey is one of both discovery and reckoning, and I’m honored to bring her story to life for Atlanta audiences. I hope they will find themselves as captivated as I was when I first read the script and could not put it down.” 

In this solo play by Jennifer Blackmer, Carolyn Cook (Suzi Award for Best Actress for Horizon’s Time Stands Still, and Best Supporting Actress for Citizens Market, also Horizon’s solo show The Syringa Tree) commands the stage as Esther Shannon, looking back on her formative time in her early 20s as a government stenographer for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Raised in a military family, Esther is now the new girl and best typist on the base, where she meets attractive officer Andy, who wines and dines her. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she seems destined to become a military wife and mother. Longing to make her father proud and to make a bigger difference, she thinks about taking her skills to Vietnam instead. Andy persuades her to stay stateside by pulling strings to get her a top-security clearance job on the base. Tasked with transcribing debriefings of POWs and non-coms returning from the front lines, she records their fractured memories of the war which seep into her and change her perspective on the world. Then Esther encounters a POW helicopter pilot whose story has a deep impact on her, ultimately causing a clash with her official duties and complicating her life. As she becomes entangled in an investigation, Esther grapples with her future in a suspenseful and emotionally charged journey.

A blend of fact and fiction, the play is inspired by playwright Jennifer Blackmer’s mother’s real-life experiences as a young stenographer with a similar job on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. Blackmer’s mother revealed some of her experiences to her daughter before she passed away suddenly in her early 60s, leaving the playwright to put together the pieces and imagine the rest of her story. Jennifer Blackmer’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and across the country, and she serves as Professor of Theatre and Executive Director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry at Ball State University. Blackmer was in residence at Horizon in 2023 as one of the lead mentors in Horizon’s New South Young Playwrights Festival.

Directed by Horizon Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler, the production reunites her with one of her favorite collaborators, the talented Carolyn Cook. Adler has directed Cook in many productions over the past three decades, including her acclaimed performance in the solo play The Syringa Tree, which played at Horizon and toured venues in the Southeast, as well as her award-winning performances in Time Stands Still and Skylight. The world of the play is created with an evocative, poetic set by resident designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, shaped by lights from resident lighting designer Mary Parker and supported by projections from Victoria Nation (Horizon’s Amelie and Madeline’s Christmas) with sound by Whitney Leonard.

Performances begin March 14, with a press opening on March 21. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m., with special Wednesday performances on March 19 at 8 p.m. and March 26 and April 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $35 for Friday nights, Saturday nights and weekend matinees. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. Students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or purchase in person before show time if seats are available. Single ticket seating is general admission, with a reserved seating section for season subscribers. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodations, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

For full actor and creative team bios visit horizontheatre.com/plays/i-carry-your-heart-with-me

CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright                                          Jennifer Blackmer

Director                                                                          Lisa Adler

Set Designers                                                                  Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay

Lighting Designer                                                            Mary Parker

Costume Designer                                                          Carrie Giglio

Sound Designer                                                              Whitney Leonard

Projection Designer                                                        Victoria Nation                 

CAST

Esther Shannon                                                              Carolyn Cook

MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO THE HORIZON THEATRE, DEC 7-31

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/24/24

Little Five Points theatre continues beloved holiday tradition with family-favorite performance

 Madeline’s Christmas returns to Horizon Theatre for its 14th enchanting season from Dec. 7 – 31, 2024! A cherished holiday tradition, this joyful musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ beloved children’s book is produced by Horizon Theatre in collaboration with Atlanta Children’s Theatre. Featuring 24 talented local girls (8-13 years old) from all over Metro Atlanta performing alongside professional actors on a beautiful set, this magical production promises to delight both children and adults. ​

“It’s such a treat to once again bring back Madeline’s Christmas— a heartwarming show that has brought joy to countless families for many years now,” says Horizon’s Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “Our intimate 160-seat theatre brings children and adults close to the action. ​ And the audience is invited to meet the cast, take photos and get autographs after every show. ​ We’re grateful that so many in our community have made the show a beloved holiday tradition.”

Over the past 14 seasons, more than 330 local girls have fulfilled their dreams of performing with a professional theatre company. This year’s cast includes students from 4 metro Atlanta counties and more than 25 schools, highlighting the diverse talent across the region. ​

Based on one of the most popular children’s books of all time, this musical play follows Madeline and friends on a holiday adventure unlike any other. After a trip to the zoo on a December day, “achoo” echoes in the halls of “the old house in Paris.” All but Madeline have caught the flu! Will the girls be able to go home for Christmas? ​ It’s Madeline to the rescue! With the help of a mysterious stranger, the “twelve little girls in two straight lines” end up with a magical and memorable holiday beyond their wildest dreams! ​ A holiday treat for the whole family.

Madeline’s Christmas will run Dec. 7 – 31. Performances are weekends at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with additional 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on select dates. Weekday performances will take place Dec. 19 – 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 23, 26 – 27, 30 – 31 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. School day matinees will be at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 and 12. Tickets are $15 for youth (ages 21 and under) and $20 for adults. ​ For School day matinees, tickets are $10 for school and home school groups. The play is 70-minutes long and appropriate for ages 3 and up. ​ Concessions and Madeline Merchandise are available at the show. Purchases of $10 Star Wands benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. ​ Tickets and information are available at horizontheatre.com or 404-584-7450.
​

PROFESSIONAL CAST

Harsha Connor Kocks, Nathan Kiliany

Miss Clavel Ciara Pysczynski, Courtney Locke

Mrs. Murphy Kymberli Green ​

ARE MADELINE AND HER FRIENDS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Atlanta, Fulton County

Adele Chastain, 4th Grade at Virginia Highland Elementary

Amelia Williams, 5th Grade at St Mary’s Academy

Beatrice Choi, 4th Grade at Moonrise Home School

Ellie Hegeman, 6th Grade at The Galloway School

Harper Byrd, 6th Grade at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

Hattie McSherry, 3rd Grade at Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School

Hazel Yu, 5th Grade at Benteen Elementary

Lucy Long, 5th Grade at E. Rivers Elementary School

Penelope Bayalis, 5th Grade at Burgess Peterson Elementary

Railey Maxwell, 4th Grade at Resurgence Hall State Charter School

Skylar Palakshappa, 7th Grade at Woodward Academy

Dekalb County

Anari Vasser, 5th Grade at Dekalb Arts Academy

Brooklynn Long, 5th Grade at Toomer Elementary

Joi Jackson, 4th Grade at Princeton Elementary

Jubilee Garrant, 4th Grade at Wadsworth Magnet Elementary

Louisa Kometer, 5th Grade at Homeschool in Candler Park

Maefaire Rogovin, 7th Grade at The Paideia School

Maya Fredrick, 4th Grade at Brookhaven Innovation Academy

Megan Morris, 7th Grade at Waldorf School

Savannah Irby (understudy), 5th Grade at The Museum School of Avondale Estates

Selma Hedin, 3rd Grade at Mary Lin Elementary

Vivian Walker, 5th Grade at The GLOBE Academy

Gwinnett County

Dawson Hutchens, 6th Grade at Pinckeyville Middle School

Nalani Cook, 5th Grade at Head Elementary School

Cobb County

Gabrielle Wood, 9th Grade at Pebblebrook High School

PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE TEAM

Based on the book Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans

Book and lyrics Jennifer Kirkeby

Music Shirley Mier

Director Spring Mason, Atlanta Children’s Theatre

Musical Director Joshua Martinez

Choreographer Estef Martin

Asst Choreographer ​ Michelle Stover

Scenic and Puppet Designers Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay

Lighting Designer Shelby Witt ​

Costume Coordinator Abby Bowers

Stage Managers ​ ​ Ann Richmond

Asst. Stage Manager/Mouse Eden Mew

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances of Madeline’s Christmas will run Dec. 7 – 31, 2024.

WEEKEND PERFORMANCES – Dec. 7 – 29

Saturdays and Sundays, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
​Additional showings on Dec. 14, Dec. 15 and Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
​Additional showings on Dec. 22 and Sat. Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.

WEEKDAY PERFORMANCES – Dec 19 – 31

Dec. 19 – 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
​Dec. 23, 26 – 27, 30 – 31 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SCHOOL DAY MATINEES – Dec 11-12

Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 11 – 12 at 10:30 a.m.

TICKETING INFORMATION

General admission tickets for Madeline’s Christmas are $15 for youth (21 and under) and $20 for adults.

Madeline Club Sponsors ($250-$1,000) receive VIP tickets that include reserved seats, concessions and Madeline toys/books. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 404-584-7450 or online at horizontheatre.com. Ticket prices are subject to change. ​ Sales tax added to all orders. ​ Internet convenience fee added to all online orders. No refunds, exchanges or late seating.

GROUP RATES

For select performances, special deals are available for school groups, Girl Scout Troops, and Boy Scout Troops. ​ Contact boxoffice@horizontheatre.com or 404-523-1477 for more information.

p

HORIZON THEATRE COMPANY BRINGS AMELIE: THE MUSICAL TO LIFE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/20/24

Inman Park theater shines with a captivating musical hit from London, based on the popular French film

A captivating, critically acclaimed musical from London’s West End based on the beloved French film Amélie comes to Horizon Theatre, October 4 – November 10 (Press Opening October 11). Amélie is a shy and imaginative young woman living in Paris. With a heart as big as her city, Amelie secretly improvises small but surprising acts of kindness that bring joy to those around her. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realizes that to find happiness she’ll have to risk everything and say what’s in her heart. Audiences are invited to join Amélie as she discovers the extraordinary in the ordinary, touching hearts and inspiring dreams along the way in this enchanting new musical.

“Audiences worldwide fell in love with Amélie as a movie, and now it’s been adapted into a delightful, quirky, romantic and funny musical. We were in Paris for the Olympics this summer, and now we are bringing Paris to life on the Horizon stage this fall. ​ It’s a story about finding beauty in the small moments and understanding that even the smallest gestures can have a significant impact on the world,” said Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “We’re excited to share this magical tale and its message of hope, love and the power of human connection with our audience. ​ And we’re thrilled that it will be led by the team that created our hit musical last season, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812.”

Horizon’s production of Amélie will see many returning cast and creative team members from last season’s smash-hit Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, which was recently nominated for 15 Suzi Bass Awards and is set to return for another run later this season. Director and Horizon Artistic Associate Heidi McKerley returns to the helm as director of Amélie. In addition to Great Comet, Heidi has directed more than 35 Horizon projects over the past three decades to great acclaim. Other returning creative team members include Scenic Designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, Music Director Holt McCarley, Assistant Music Director Bethany Irby, and Costume Designer Carrie Giglio. Returning Great Comet cast members include Anna Dvorak (Sonia) in the lead role of Amélie, joined by Daniel Burns (Pierre), Jordan Patrick (Anatole), Jeff McKerley (The Prince), Skyler Brown (Balaga), Eric Nabeth (Ensemble/Accordion), Miro Gomez (Ensemble/Cello) and Eden Mew (Ensemble) who all play supporting roles in Amelie, with most once again doubling on musical instruments.

Amélie playwright Craig Lucas is an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter and director known for his diverse body of work that includes the Tony Award-nominated play Prelude to a Kiss and the film Longtime Companion. Amélie found its greatest success in London, where it charmed audiences and critics alike with its imaginative staging, enchanting score and a heartfelt portrayal of its titular character. The London production, praised for its innovative and intimate approach, won three Olivier Awards in 2020, including Best New Musical,solidifying its place as a modern theatrical gem.

Amélie tells the story of Amélie (Anna Dvorak, Horizon’s Great Comet), an extraordinary young French woman who lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind. After surviving a childhood with two neurotic parents who did not know how to show her their love, Raphael (Marcus Hopkins-Turner, Horizon’s Support Group for Men) and Amandine (Bethany Irby, Aurora Theatre’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), and only a goldfish—Fluffy for company, Amélie heads off to Paris on her own. She approaches her journey in the big city with joy, making friends with nearly everyone she meets. As a waitress at a café in Montmartre she has a quiet, happy life, spending time with her three co-workers: Suzanne (Chelcy Cutwright, Steel Magnolias, Springer Opera House), the café’s owner and a past circus performer; Georgette (Jennifer Alice Acker, Horizon’s The Game, Roe, Freaky Friday), a hypochondriac; and Gina (Jessica Miesel, Fox TV’s The Resident, Aurora’s Hands on A Hard Body), who obsessively rereads love letters from her late husband. ​ Some of Amélie’s quirky customers include Joseph (Daniel Burns, Horizon’s Great Comet), a tough-on-the-outside customer who’s in love with Gina; Hipolito (Cameron Smith, Aurora Theatre’s Christmas Canteen), a poet; and Philomene (Kylie Dickinson), an airline hostess. When Amélie finds a child’s box of treasures in the floorboard of her house, she becomes determined to return it to its owner. With help from Dufayel (Jeff McKerley), a shut-in artist who’s obsessed with painting the same scene over and over, she returns it to Bretodeau (Marcus Hopkins-Turner, playing dual roles) who lived in her home as a child. ​ After seeing the joy it brings him, Amélie resolves to do good for those around her in small, anonymous ways. But when Amélie meets young Nino (Jordan Patrick, Horizon’s Great Comet), she takes the biggest risk of her life – learning to love on her own. The cast of charming characters– both real and imaginary– who play a part in Amélie’s journey also includes the Gnome (Eric Nabeth ​ Horizon’s Great Comet), Elton John (Miro Gomez, Horizon’s Great Comet) and Collignon (Skyler Brown, Horizon’s Great Comet), the local grocer

Performances begin Friday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., with a Press Opening on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m., running through Nov. 10. Seating is general admission with a reserved seating section for subscribers. ​ General admission tickets start at $40 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $45 for all weekend performances. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. ​ Full-time students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or at the door if tickets are available. ​ There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

HORIZON THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS WILD WITH HAPPY AUG 16 – SEPT 15

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/15/24

A wild ride of love, loss and laughs from award-winning actor and playwright Colman Domingo

“Wonderfully joyous, sweet, funny adventure” -Broadway World

 Horizon Theatre continues its spectacular 40th season with the outrageously funny and immensely touching comedy Wild With Happy, playing Aug. 16 – Sept. 15 (press opening August 23). ​ This Off-Broadway hit from Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo follows the adventures of Gil, a man on a mission to find the perfect resting place for his mother. ​ When Gil’s beloved mom passes way, Gil returns home and decides to have her cremated – despite his opinionated Aunt Glo’s demands for a traditional funeral. Then his high-spirited best friend takes him on an unexpected road trip with his mother’s ashes as a furious Aunt Glo follows in hot pursuit with the sensitive funeral director in tow. ​ With bold twists and turns, an amazing Atlanta cast and a journey that might just lead to the happiest place on earth, Wild With Happy is a wild ride full of love, loss and lots of laughs.

“We’re so thrilled we get to bring Wild With Happy to Atlanta audiences.” said Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “This comedy runs the gamut of emotions – joy, hilarity, grief, absurdity – and takes audience members on a whirlwind journey right along with the characters. ​ It’s deeply profound and impactful while also being absurdly funny.”

Wild With Happy tells the story of Gil (Enoch King, Horizon’s The Light, Suzi Award winner for Alliance’s Toni Stone), the Yale-educated, loving son, who’s just lost his beloved mother, Adelaide (Tonia Jackson, Horizon’s Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery, Theatrical Outfit Clyde’s), a joyous spirit who clings to hope and happy endings. ​ Gil returns home to Philadelphia with the intention of finding the right send-off for his mom on their limited budget, and not yet dealing with his loss. ​ A series of hilarious detours takes Gil and his flamboyant best friend Mo (Brad Raymond, Horizon’s Nobody Loves You, Alliance’s The Preacher’s Wife) on a multi-state escapade with an urn of ashes to bring his mother to her final resting place: the one place on earth that made her “wild with happy.”With Adelaide’s outrageous, strong-willed sister, Aunt Glo, (also played by Tonia Jackson, who takes a turn as both sisters), insisting on a proper burial and church service, she and Terry (Markell Williams, Horizon’s Sweet Water Taste), the charming funeral director who has fallen for Gil, chase after the getaway car, leading to an uproarious, deeply touching journey. ​ Along the way, Gil learns to embrace his grief, celebrate his mother’s memory and find his own path to happiness. ​ Wild With Happy is a joyful, whimsical tale that reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there’s always room for laughter, love and a bit of magic.

Based loosely around his own experiences, Wild With Happy is playwright and actor Colman Domingo’s fourth work. ​ It premiered at the Public Theatre in the NYC, was produced at regional theatres throughout the country and was recently released as an Audible podcast, performed by a cast including Colman himself and Oprah Winfrey. ​ Although best known as a Broadway and film actor, Oscar-nominated for his work in the title role of Rustin, his writing career has blossomed. ​ His plays and musicals include Dot (published by Samuel French), Wild with Happy (published by Dramatist Play Service), A Boy and His Soul (published by Oberon Books), the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and Geffen Playhouse’s groundbreaking musical Light’s Out: Nat King Cole. His plays have been produced by The Public Theater, Vineyard, La Jolla Playhouse, Humana Festival of New American Plays, New York Stage and Film, A.C.T, The Tricycle Theater in London and Brisbane Powerhouse in Australia, among others.

Back again for the 20th year is the award-winning director Thomas W. Jones II who has been at the helm of some of Horizon’s best-loved shows, including The House That Will Not Stand, Blackberry Daze, Da Kink in My Hair, Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery and so many more. Here, he assembles a cast of his favorite actors, all veterans of Horizon and other Atlanta stages, and now also all over the screen in the many TV series shooting in Atlanta. ​ Resident scenic designers Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay, projection and sound designer Matt Reynolds (Actor’s Express’ Cabaret), co-lighting designers Mary Parker (Horizon resident designer) and Mike Morin (MFA in Lighting Design, U of Alabama), and long-time Horizon costume designer L. Nyrobi Moss (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812) use their theatrical magic to move audiences swiftly and evocatively through the many locations.

Performances begin Aug. 16 at 8pm, with a Press Opening on Aug. 23 at 8pm. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. ​ The play runs through Sept. 15. ​ No matinee on Aug 17.Seating is general admission with a reserved seating section for subscribers. ​ General admission tickets start at $30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $35 for all weekend performances. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. ​ Full-time students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or purchase Student Rush Tickets 30 minutes before show time if seats are available. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

Horizon Theatre’s 40th season continues after Wild With Happy! The rest of the season line-up includes the critically acclaimed West End musical Amélie, the 2024 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award-nominated I Carry Your Heart With Me and the caper-telenovela Laughs in Spanish. Also to come this season are the returns of Madeline’s Christmas during the holiday season and Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 in January 2025. More information on the 24/25 Season can be found at horizontheatre.com/plays/mainstage. Season Subscriptions are on sale now, with 5 and 6-Show Packages starting at $80. Subscriptions can be purchased by filling out the online form and mailing or e-mailing it in (boxoffice@horizontheatre.com), or by calling the Box Office at 404.584-7450 x100. More information on subscriptions can be found at horizontheatre.com/tickets/subscriptions.

HORIZON THEATRE COMPANY OPENS 40TH SEASON WITH THE ATLANTA PREMIERE OF THE GAME

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/20/24

New play from The Notebook musical writer brings humor and heart to Inman Park theatre

Performances begin Friday, 6/28

Horizon Theatre kicks off its spectacular 40th season of the best in contemporary theatre with the new comedy The Game, playing June 28 – July 28. Alyssa and Homer are in a marriage that’s hit a glitch. And it’s all due to the massively engrossing online game that’s wreaking havoc on the lives of couples everywhere. When she puts together a support group for other women in a similar situation, the game enters a new level where all’s fair in love and war. Bekah Brunstetter’s (Horizon’s The Cake, NBC’s This is Us, and Broadway’s The Notebook) hilarious and heartfelt comedy brings technology and community together in the most unexpected ways.

“The Game is a perfect introduction to our 40th season,” said Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “We looked all over the country for plays that we loved by amazing writers whose stories that would matter to our audiences. We were delighted to find this new, up-to-the-minute comedy by the author of our hit The Cake. ​ It’s funny, warm and all about re-discovering the spark in your marriage and the power of friends. ​ It’s the perfect summer comedy for fun with friends or partners!”

The Game tells the story of Alyssa (Jennifer Alice Acker, Horizon’s Roe, Nobody Loves You), whose husband Homer (Chris Hecke, Horizon’sCompleteness) has become obsessed with playing The Game, a popular online video game, to the detriment of their marriage. ​ In a last-ditch effort to get him back, Alyssa recruits fellow “gaming widows” on Facebook to join together to find a solution. This eclectic support group includes out-going, Poshmark-loving mom Rhonda (Marcie Millard, Horizon’s The Cake); sweet, elderly Myra (Shannon Eubanks*) who shares crockpot recipes and wisdom; Jen (Michelle Pokopac*, Horizon’s The Wolves), a war photographer whose female partner is going through a tough time; and Cleo (Hope Clayborne, Atlanta Shakespeare school tour) a young pregnant military wife who is new in town. The women bond together to find ways to woo their partners away from the screen and back to their side. ​ In the process, they win new friends and discover new paths in their lives.

The Game was commissioned by PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina under Producing Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch. The show received its first public performance on April 10, 2024. ​ The commission project invited playwright Brunstetter to imagine a new comedy inspired by the ancient Greek play Lysistrata in which women go on a sex strike to convince their husbands to stop a war.

With titles like NBC’s This is Us and Broadway’s The Notebook in her repertoire, Bekah Brunstetter is well-versed in storytelling that mixes comedy and drama and tugs at the heartstrings. ​ Her hit play The Cake at Horizon Theatre (starring Marcie Millard, who also appears in The Game) chronicled a Southern baker wrestling with the decision of baking the cake for and attending the wedding of her best friend’s daughter who is marrying a woman. The playwright is well-versed in video games via her husband, from which she drew inspiration for the play. As Brunstetter told BroadwayWorld, “I’ve had to really come to understand why he loves them and the purpose they serve in his life. So, I just thought it would be a great adaptation of Lysistrata because obviously there’s a real war happening in our world right now, but we’ve also got a lot of video games that have brought the concept of war into our domestic spaces.” The result is a play that touches on universal themes of community, friendship and love in the face of ever-evolving technology that can divide.

The set and lights are by Horizon resident designers Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay and Mary Parker, joined by April Carwell on costumes, Cori Williams on props and Amy Levin on sound and projections.

Performances begin June 28, with a Press Opening on July 5 at 8pm. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. ​ Seating is general admission with a reserved seating section for subscribers. ​ General admission tickets starts at $30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $35 on Friday nights, Saturday nights and weekend matinees. There will be no matinee on Saturday, June 28 and no performance on Thursday, July 4. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. ​ Students under 25 can get $20 tickets with valid student ID by calling the box office or purchase Student Rush Tickets 30 minutes before show time if seats are available. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodations, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

Horizon Theatre’s 40th season is set to feature thrilling Atlanta premieres, returning favorites and, above all, stories that inspire connection, hope and positive change. After The Game takes the stage as the season opener, the rest of the season line-up includes the hilarious, touching Wild with Happy, the critically-acclaimed West End musical Amélie, the 2024 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award-nominated I Carry Your Heart With Meand the caper-telenovela Laughs in Spanish. Also to come this season are the returns of Madeline’s Christmas during the holiday season and Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 in January 2025. More information on the 24/25 Season can be found at horizontheatre.com/plays/mainstage. Season Subscriptions are on sale now, with 5 and 6-Show Packages starting at $80. Subscriptions can be purchased by filling out the online form and mailing or e-mailing it in (boxoffice@horizontheatre.com), or by calling the Box Office at 404.584-7450 x100. More information on subscriptions can be found at horizontheatre.com/tickets/subscriptions.

For full actor and creative team bios visit horizontheatre.com/plays/the-game