MOTHER
DIS-COURAGE
just another neo-Brechtian, absurdist, anti-imperialist extravaganza in one act

Montreal Infringement Festival
June 16-19, 2005
 
Buffalo Infringement Festival
July 28-August 7, 2005
 
New York City Infringement Festival
September 1-4, 2005

     For the Summer of 2005, Subversive Theatre undertook its most ambitious project to date.  We dusted off our original anti-war piece MOTHER DIS-COURAGE and mounted an international tour that encompassed the newly-formed "infringement" festivals of Montreal, Quebec, Buffalo, NY, and New York City, NY.
     MOTHER DIS-COURAGE is a zany, irreverent, vaudeville-esque spoof that pits the Ghost of Bertolt Brecht against Britney Spears as they battle over the hearts and minds of one American Soldier in Iraq and his peace-nik mother.
     Written & Directed by Subversive Theatre's Founder and Artistic Director Kurt Schneiderman*, this production boasted a marvelous cast that included veteran thespian Keith Elkins* (who appeared in the play's 2004 world debut) opposite the seemingly-endless talents of Michael Karr and many others.     
     Taking this show to three different festivals in three different cities over four months was a massive endeavor, but cast and crew bore up remarkably well to make our first international tour an undeniable success.  Performing in such storied locations as Montreal's Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Buffalo's historic Allentown District, and -- finally -- in the heart of Greenwich Village (two floors above the legendary Cafe Wah) gave Subversive Theatre a chance to spread its wings like never before.

Mother Discourage . . . . . . . Mary Moebius* Son Discourage . . . . . . . . . . .  Rick Lattimer Bertolt Brecht . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Elkins* Britney Spears . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Orloff* George Orwell/John Lennon . . Michael Karr Money Bags/McCartney . . Jamie Hamilton* Director/Playwright . .  Kurt Schneiderman* Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Felix* Set Design . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie Hamilton* Graphic Design . . . . .  Matthew Clabeaux* Organizational Assistance . Jeanette Rehac* House Manager . . . . . . . . Michael Fanelli* * = members of the Subversive Theatre Collective

This production was made possible by grants from the Buffalo & Erie County Arts Council and by the support and volunteer work of many of Subversive Theatre's most tenacious supporters.  Thank you to all!