'Bad Dates' opens Theatre Conspiracy's new season

COURTESY PHOTO Lauren Drexler stars in Theatre Conspiracy's production of "Bad Dates," opening Oct. 10. "Bad Dates" by Theresa Rebeck opens Theatre Conspiracy's 2008/2009 season on Oct. 10.

The play stars Lauren Drexler in an uproarious smash hit comedy that has left audiences in stitches across the country. Part "Sex in the City," part "Bridget Jones' Diary" and part "The Perils of Pauline," "Bad Dates" is all good fun. You'll be wiping away tears of laughter and sympathy as Texas transplant, single mother and shoe fanatic Haley Walker struggles to raise her daughter, run a popular restaurant and find her way back into the dating world in modern-day Manhattan. Witty, endearing and laugh-out-loud funny, "Bad Dates" takes a stream-of-consciousness look at modern-day relationships through one woman's search for the perfect date — and the perfect pair of shoes.

"Bad Dates" runs through Nov. 1 with matinees on Oct 18 and Oct 25.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Theatre Conspiracy at (239) 936-3239. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with select performances on Wednesday evenings and Saturday matinees. Tickets are $22 general admission for plays and $8 general admission for each film. Volunteers are also needed.

Theatre Conspiracy is located at 2711 Park Windsor Drive in Fort Myers.

The rest of Theatre Conspiracy's season includes a wide range of plays and its first-ever films series. With its proven dedication to new and established works, Theatre Conspiracy fills a much needed role in the local community. Theatre Conspiracy continues its mission to produce and promote the work of the next generation of great American playwright.

"This is going to be a great year for us and our audiences," said Producing Artistic Director Bill Taylor. "The shows we have cover a wide range. Now, with the addition of our film series, we will once again be the company that fills a cultural void by working our way into the independent film market. Our goal is to have our first independent film festival by June of 2009. I am very excited about the expansion of our company and for its impact on the art scene in Fort Myers."

The rest of Theatre Conspiracy's season:

"Love Loves a Pornographer" a contemporary comedy of manners by Jeff Goode

Nov. 20 - Dec. 13 with matinees Nov. 19 and Dec. 6

Lord Loveworthy has a problem. His only daughter is soon to be married. And the only way to pay for her wedding is to blackmail the vicar who's seducing his wife. But how does a Victorian pornographer commit extortion, without inordinate discord, at tea?

"Duet for One" by Tom Kempinski

Presented in partnership with Lee Mental Health Center, Inc.

Jan. 9 - 24 with a Wednesday show on Jan. 21 and matinee Jan. 17

Violinist Stephanie Abrahams is young, wealthy and attractive, and one of the greatest violinists in the world. Then one day a strange feeling in her fingers prevents her from playing. The play unfolds as a series of sessions between Stephanie and her psychiatrist. The interplay of her attempts to avoid the reality of her pain and increasing disability, and the therapist's efforts to bring her to face them, deal with them, and accept them, provide both emotional fireworks and remarkable insight into the inner world of the artist. Theatre at its best.

"First Time" a comedy by Ken Davenport

Feb. 5 - 28 with a Wednesday show on Feb. 25 and matinees Feb. 14 and 21

First sexual experiences are one of the few things that almost every single person on this planet has in common, yet we rarely talk about them. In 1998, a Web site was created that allowed people to anonymously share their own true stories about their "First Times." More than 40,000 stories poured in from around the globe. And now, these true stories and all of the unique characters in them are brought to life by four amazing actors in the acclaimed 90-minute play.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

March 19 - April 11 with matinees on March 28 and April 4

Back by popular demand, this show is a must see. Three actors cram all 37 plays, both comedy and tragedy, and 154 sonnets by William Shakespeare into two acts and send the Bard rolling in his grave.

"Other Shepherds Play" by John Repa

Dec. 17 - 20

In the tradition of Spamalot, this parody, penned by local playwright John Repa, sends up both modern and historic assumptions about the Nativity and also questions what happened and who knew what when. Based on the historic "Second Shepherds Play" (late 1300s), this retelling incorporates what British comedy has become over the last 700 years: classic songs with parody lyrics, men in drag roles, women in scanty outfits, and lots of innuendo. Tickets are $15 for this show only.

Film series

"Tell no One" (Ne le dis à personne) Nov. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m.

A French thriller with English subtitles.

A mans wife is brutally murdered, then eight years later he receives an e-mail that brings everything into question. (2006) 125 minutes.

"Dialogues with Madwomen"

Jan 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.

Presented in partnership with Lee Mental Health Center, Inc.

A film by Allie Light

Produced by the Academy Award winning filmmakers of "In the Shadows of the Stars. "Dialogues with Madwomen" is a groundbreaking film about women and mental illness. (1993) 90 minutes,

"Pi" Jan 30 and 31 at 8 p.m.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky.

A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature. (1998) 84 minutes.

"Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson"

March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m.

A portrait of the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. (2008) 118 Minutes.

"Contempt" (Mépris, Le)

March 13 and 14 at 8 p.m.

English subtitles. Directed by Jean-Luc Godard.

A screenwriter torn between the demands of a proud European director (played by legendary director Fritz Lang), a crude and arrogant American producer (Jack Palance), and his disillusioned wife, Camille (Brigitte Bardot) as he attempts to doctor the script for a new film version of The Odyssey. (1963) 103 minutes.