Previous Productions

Surprise Theatre: Nouveau Americana is in!

Review:  HYSTERICS MADE HYSTERICALLY FUNNY:
Surprise Theater pulls laughs out of meltdowns

Herald-Leader: Behind the Scenes with "Surprise Theatre"

“Surprise Theatre” is the culmination of the “intimate theatre” idea that developed over three years of doing theatre at Natasha’s. One-act plays hidden in restaurant service with no advertisement of story or cast, intending to “spring up” suddenly during an evening of dining taking their audience off guard first occurred in July 2005

Power Plays by Alan Arkin & Elaine May

Directed by Ed Desiato
Producer's Notes

Nothing is as it seems in this unusual piece of “theatre of the mind”. Supposed roles of power in society are challenged as more a matter of perception than of reality. Balagula will present two one-act plays contained in the work, including “The Way of All Fish”, about a bizarre office exchange between a business executive and her meek secretary, and the darkly absurd “Virtual Reality”, a comical glimpse into the seedy lives of two men pantomiming an illegal warehouse transaction. Both one-acts are farcical examinations of the reversal of power in two seemingly opposite worlds of business culture.

Power Plays Photos
Herald-Leader Review of Power Plays
Special Performance in North Carolina - Jefferson Post

About the Authors

Well sort of rated 'R." There isn't an actual rating body for theatre like there is for music and movies, but there have always been scripts which made us go: "hmmm...is this too much for a surprise?" So now is our chance to try them out! Join us for a night of theatre a little farther out and a little more wild.

Read the "Surprise Theatre" essay about content

For More Information About "Surprise Theatre"

Herald-Leader: Behind the Scenes with
"Surprise Theatre"

March 7th-16th The Dresser by Ronald Harwood
Period 1942: Sir, the last of the great, but dying breed of English actor managers struggles through Shakespeare's King Lear with the aid of his dresser Norman.

Cast
Sir: Ed Desiato
Norman: Ryan Case
Her Ladyship: Debbie Sharp
Madge: Robin Roth
Irene: Lesley Maner
Geoffrey Thorton: Greg Jones
Mr. Oxenby: Richard Broadus
Produced by Natasha Williams
Directed by Adam Luckey
Stage Manager: Lesley Maner

Dresser Review   About the Author   Producer's Notes   Dresser Photos

“I hate cinema. I believe in living things”, -says Sir, an old actor manager of a Shakespearean touring troupe to his actress wife. His reference to theatre as a living thing is especially relevant to the latest production of the The Balagula Theatre Company – "The Dresser," a Tony award winning play by Ronald Harwood. Though this play has appeared on several stages and was immortalized in a movie, the new production at The Balagula Theater proves yet again that a good script is a living thing that can be discovered and rediscovered  time after time in a new way. Staged before mostly as a farcical tragedy or even a comedy The Dresser appears in its new rendition as a true drama bringing the audience both laughter and sorrow …

February 14-16 "Surprise Theatre: a night of love 2-CUPID'S REVENGE"

The sequel to last year's smash hit "a night of love." Join us at the cafe for a slightly surreal take on love and affection. A night for all that love affects: the happy, the bitter, the hopeful, & the forlorn. "Surprise Theatre" has something for everyone.

 "...it is intimate, energetic, fun, meaningful, and even cheap...Surprise Theatre performances promise a theater experience like none you've ever seen, at only five dollars a ticket."
- Special to the Herald-Leader Candace Chaney

"...one of the most unusual theater experiences in Lexington.”
- Herald-Leader Culture Critic Rich Copley.

December 14-16 "Surprise Theatre: Guaranteed to be 100 % HOLIDAY FREE"

The Holiday season getting you down, just can't watch "It's a Wonderful Life" anymore? Then "Surprise Theatre" is the place to be this December with a night of imbedded theatre guaranteed to NOT be about the holidays! It's the gift you give yourself.

“Surprise Theatre” is the culmination of the “intimate theatre” idea that developed over three years of doing theatre at Natasha’s. One-act plays hidden in restaurant service with no advertisement of story or cast, intending to “spring up” suddenly during an evening of dining taking their audience off guard first occurred in July 2005

"Surprise Theatre" Review
 

Nov. 14-17 American Buffalo
In a Chicago junk shop three small time crooks plot to rob a man of his coin collection. Its existence came to light when the collector found a valuable "buffalo nickel" in the shop. The three plotters fancy themselves as businessmen pursuing the legitimate concerns of free enterprise. In reality they are Donny, the junk shop owner; Bobby, a young junkie Donny has befriended and finally "Teacher", a violent paranoid braggart. A story of men's interminable struggle toward the top of the heap, a goal which ultimately and inevitably eludes most of them.

Cast
Donny: Kody Kiser
Bobby: C.G. Niquette
Teach: Bob Singleton

 Directed by
  Eric Seale

Director's Notes    Herald Leader Review    Herald Leader Article
W Weekly Article    Buffalo Photos
Video Clip from the Show (Windows Media Player)
 

Thur. Oct. 12th @ MIDNIGHT
Fri. Oct 13th @ 6pm & 9pm "Surprise Theatre: Tales of the Macabre"

"Surprise Theatre" returns for his second season of embedded theatre with a special night of shows entitled "TALES OF THE MACABRE." Indulge your dark side with a twisted evening of theatre perfect for a Friday the13th in October.
Tickets $5

Sept. 26-28 & Oct. 1, 3-5 Copenhagen
The play begins with an urgent question—Why? Why did Werner Heisenberg need to visit Niels Bohr in 1941, in the middle of World War II, when such a trip meant risking his life and the physicists' friendship? What could possibly have been so urgent?
Margrethe's question sets off an unstoppable reaction, and the question soon takes on a life of its own. Bohr, Heisenberg, and Margrethe are determined to find an answer, no matter what dark and winding road they must travel. Together, these three ghosts of the past relive that evening in 1941, along with several other important moments in their lives.

Starring: Ryan Case, Adam Luckey, & Natasha Williams
Directed by: Natasha Williams & Ed Desiato

Video clip from the show (Windows Media Player)

Copenhagen Gallery       Director's Notes       Herald Leader Article

July 12-14, 16, 19-21 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
"3 actors/37 plays/1 dead playwright"

A “Python-esque” mixture of pratfalls, puns, willful misreading of dialogue, and absurd female impersonations, featuring both broad and subtle humor. Three actors condense a lifetime of the Bard’s work into one evening, spoofing it and praising it at the same time. This production by The Balagula Theatre embodies one of comedy’s most essential impulses: the adolescent urge to take a sledgehammer to the culturally revered. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare you’ll like this show, if you hate Shakespeare you’ll like this show.

Starring:
 Jesse Darland, Marc Roland, & Eric Ryan Seale
Directed by:
Nathaniel M. Barrett, Jesse Darland, Marc Roland, &
Eric Ryan Seale

Shakespeare Photo Gallery
 

 Wed.- Fri. March 22-24 "Surprise Theatre"

Herald-Leader Culture Critic Rich Copley wrote: "...one of the most unusual theater experiences in Lexington."

If you haven't seen Surprise Theatre, you've been missing out big time. It is the most innovative thing we do here at Natasha's, and we do a lot!
We're packing in the crowds and filling up fast so get your reservation as soon as possible.

Fri. & Sat. Feb. 10th-11th @ 7:30 "Surprise Theatre: a night of love"

Herald-Leader Culture Critic Rich Copley wrote: “…one of the most unusual theater experiences in Lexington.”

If you haven't seen Surprise Theatre, you've been missing out big time. It is the most innovative thing we do here at Natasha's, and we do a lot!
We're packing in the crowds and filling up fast so get your reservation as soon as possible.

This month's installment of Surprise Theatre is all about love. Bring your
lover or come by yourself and find a lover!

Tues. Feb 14th, Valentine’s Day

On the most romantic night of the year bring your loved one here to Natasha's Cafe for a banquet feast of sensuous food and drink. While you're gazing into each other's eyes with each delectable bite, "Surprise Theatre" will pop up around you with the most romantic one-act plays we could find.

This is a night of love and laughter. A night for lovers and lovers of food.

Thurs., Fri., & Sat Jan. 12-14 @ 7:30pm "Surprise Theatre"

Herald-Leader Culture Critic Rich Copley wrote: “…one of the most unusual theater experiences in Lexington.”

If you haven't seen Surprise Theatre, you've been missing out big time. It is the most innovative thing we do here at Natasha's, and we do a lot! We're packing in the crowds and filling up fast so get your reservation as soon as possible.

“Surprise Theatre” comes down off the stage, tosses aside the curtain, and removes the boundaries an audience is prepared for and anticipating. It takes them from their normal safe point of observation. “Surprise Theatre” does not come with a warning, does not notify the audience to what will be seen and who is participating. Lights do not dim to announce the beginning, no one takes the stage for a welcome or an introduction speech. The story might beanything; the performer might be sitting at the next table. Our plays unfold; almost always serendipitous, unplanned, and surprising.
 

Thurs. & Fri. Dec. 15-16 @ 7pm "Surprise Theatre"

The Balagula Theatre is pleased to announce that due to popular demand “Surprise Theatre” returns this December at Natasha’s Café with all new installments!

“Surprise Theatre” comes down off the stage, tosses aside the curtain, and removes the boundaries an audience is prepared for and anticipating.  It takes them from their normal safe point of observation. “Surprise Theatre” does not come with a warning, does not notify the audience to what will be seen and who is participating. Lights do not dim to announce the beginning, no one takes the stage for a welcome or an introduction speech. The story might be anything; the performer might be sitting at the next table. Our plays unfold; almost always serendipitous, unplanned, and surprising. Of our July 20th-22nd installment Herald-Leader Culture Critic Rich Copley wrote: “…one of the most unusual theater experiences in Lexington.”

September 6th, 7th & 11th – 14th 
Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)
By Levi Lee and Larry Larson

Read Review

The play explores issues of blind faith and organized religion through the characters of Reverend Eddie and Brother Lawrence, survivors of an apocalypse who have taken shelter in their church. As Reverend Eddie prepares his final sermon, his grip on reality and his faith are challenged by the unseen presence of the Illuminati.

Starring:
Ryan Case & Adam Luckey

Illuminati Gallery

Why watch reality TV? Is there not enough reality? But, of course, reality is messy, three dimensional, unresolved and demanding of our participation…we really are basically lazy. Try this: Reality does have all the components of theater, it’s just curtain less and lacking a good artistic director. It runs hundreds of unwritten scripts all around (and within us) making it hard to concentrate on just one thing at a time…Unlike reality theater provides a frame for easy viewing and allows script writers, actors and directors to make statements. What if you move theater right into the midst of an ordinary day…say in a restaurant and not tell anyone…would anyone notice?

June 7 – 9 & 12–16, Bash, By Neil LaBute

Directed by Edmund Desiato and starring Tamara Bentley, Ryan Briggs, Eric Ryan Seale, and Sharon Sikorski.

A collection of three darkly brilliant one-act plays forms a trio of unforgettable personal accounts. In MEDEA REDUX, a woman tells of her complex and ultimately tragic relationship with her junior high school English teacher; in IPHIGENIA IN OREM, a Utah businessman confides in a stranger in a Las Vegas hotel room, confessing a most chilling crime; and in A GAGGLE OF SAINTS, a young Mormon couple separately recounts the violent events of an anniversary weekend in New York City. All three are unblinking portraits of the complexities of evil in everyday life, exhibiting LaBute's signature raw lyrical intensity.

Bash Gallery

A powerful political drama and psychological thriller by the noted Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman.
In telling this story, the author addresses dilemmas which touch many of our lives: innocence, evil, truth and lies, forgiveness, and revenge.

Maiden Gallery

May 23-26, 2004
Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Accidental Death of an Anarchist is a Staged Reading performance. Following the success of “Phyro-Giants!” Balagula Theatre presents a thought provoking political farce by Dario Fo.

March 9-17, 2004

This sharp-witted and comical play allows the audience to eavesdrop on some scintillating dinner conversation. Four virtual strangers explore everything from religion to relationships to ghosts in the course of a single meal, with surprising revelations throughout.

February 14, 2004 "Acts of Love"

You'll see three romantic vignettes performed after dinner:
excerpts from "Romeo and Juliet," "Rough Crossing," and "On Golden Pond"

April 30, 2003 Kissing Christine
a play by John Patrick Shanley, featuring Joe Gaton, Anitra Brumagen, and Kim Dixon.

Kissing Christine premiered at the 1996 Humana Festival of New American Plays. Set in a Thai restaurant, this funny and provocative one act play reveals how two people reconnect to the flow of life by sharing a kiss.

Christine Gallery