The Bluebird Patch

Candice McLellan (left) plays Siri and Jasmine Ellis plays Luna in the world premiere comedy Sweep at Aurora Theatre. (Photo by Chris Bartelski.)  Post-modern comedy to showcase the exploits of two “multiverse” hit women in imaginative tale LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Atlanta audiences are invited to step into a splintered world of strange imaginings as Aurora Theatre presents the world premiere of the femme fantasy story SWEEP , February 10 –March 5, 2017 ! The magical quest, written by rising Latina playwright Georgina Escobar, follows two sisters’ attempt at resetting history’s imperfections by hunting both biblical and modern-day targets through a set of alternate realities called the “multiverse.” Imaginative and adventure-filled, this zany, time-traveling escapade is a can’t-miss production for the New Year! “ One of the most riveting facets of SWEEP is the exploration of the idea that history can be re-written to create different outcomes today,” ...

Well hello there Bluebird Patch teens! I'm thrilled to share with you my thoughts on “I and You” a highly sentimental and compelling play at the Aurora Theatre. Written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Aurora’s Director of Education Jaclyn Hofmann, I and You chronicles the unlikely relationship formed by popular jock Anthony and chronically ill Caroline, when he shows up to her house unexpectedly with waffle fries, a beat-up book and a homework assignment to explore Walt Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself.”  As a teenager, I can personally relate the current high school struggle of homework and group projects. Throughout the day, many emotions come between the two characters, both good and bad. As the story progresses we find many shocking things about both characters and let's just say the ending of the play will leave you speechless. I don't want to spoil it for ya, but the play has a twist worthy of a Nicholas Spark book. I'm telling you t...

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (February 4, 2016) –  Lust over laughable comedy nights, pulse to the passionate rhythm of Latin music and celebrate a true valentine to youth, life, love and the beauty of human connection in the smash-hit  I and You ! While Cupid draws his arrow and sweethearts prepare for the perfect date night, don’t forget to add Aurora to the love list for head over heel events guaranteed to create heartwarming memories!      Special Valentine’s Day Programming    Teatro Aurora: Sangria, Tapas y Flamenco February 13 at 7 p.m. This Valentine’s Day is going to get physical! Pulse to the passionate rhythms of Caló Gitano Dance Company as Teatro Aurora presents  Sangria, Tapas y Flamenco  on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. A perfect evening of food, fun and romance with a side of Latin flair, guests will have access to a full bar and other menu items available. Held at Stars and Strikes’ private event hall...

  Mismatched teenagers offer insightful wisdom for all ages  LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (January 21, 2016)  – A quintessential tale of two worlds colliding, audiences are invited to experience the power of diversity and the beauty of acceptance in the award-winning I and You a t Aurora Theatre ,  January 29-February 21 . As part of the 2015-16 GGC Harvel Lab Series , this moving story of two teenagers and the bond they create through examination of poetry offers an ode to youth, life, love and the strange splendor of human connectedness! “ This play has quickly become one of the hottest properties in American theater, including a recently opened off-Broadway run,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora’s Producing Artistic Director. “Lauren is a dear friend and nothing could thrill me more than having the opportunity for Aurora Theatre to produce the Georgia premiere of this Atlanta-bred playwright’s most recent work. Lauren’s work is universally acclaimed and widely...

Atlanta teacher’s poignant play provides raw look at cancer’s vexing grip LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (January 6, 2016)  – A beautiful story of life and the looming question of what happens next,  Aurora Theatre  invites audiences to experience the powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece  Wit , playing  January 14-February 7 . Detailing the final days of Dr. Vivian Bearing’s battle with stage IV ovarian cancer,  Wit  is a poetic journey through the English professor’s reflection on her life and the relationship between patient and healer. “As cancer survivors, this play is extremely personal for both myself and partner Ann-Carol,” said Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. “ Although the type of cancer is very specific in  Wit , the brilliance of the play is we have all been, in some way, affected by cancer. Ultimately, Vivian’s personal battle with cancer in the play serves to comfort and inspire every person who has fought, every ...

Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico & Central America and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Conceptually, it is a hybrid, owing its origins to both prehispanic Aztec philosophy & religion and medieval European ritual practice. Scholars trace its origins to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. In ancient Aztec ceremonies, both children and dead ancestors were remembered and celebrated. The Aztecs would bring offerings of food to altars in honor of the dead. They would also place small clay images that were supposed to represent the deceased on these same altars.  When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, they brought the Christian Holiday of All Soul’s Day with th...

Spanish Language programming celebrates Gwinnett’s diverse culture LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (September 9, 2015)  – The joys and frustrations unique to single ladies of all ages come to light in this wacky modern tale. Even matters of the heart are examined through a comedic lens in Gustavo Ott’s  Divorciadas, Evangélicas y Vegetarianas ( Divorcées, Evangelists, and Vegetarians) at Aurora Theatre running September 25 – October 18, 2015 . September 25 – October 18, 2015 . Performed in Spanish with English Supertitles, this play expertly finds the funny in uncomfortable situations and blunt truths. “Earlier this year, Aurora received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to deepen our relationship with the Latino community by expanding programing. Additionally, we received funding from BrandMortage to produce this show. I am very proud of our commitment to producing plays in Spanish,” said Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. “As our community grows...

Smash-hit musical livens up Lawrenceville as 20 th  Anniversary Signature Series debut LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (June 22, 2015)  – Jive along to the brassy beats of Beale Street in 1950s Memphis, where the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll reels in an aspiring R&B DJ, who just happens to be white,  to spark change in the deep South. Bringing powerhouse numbers to the suburban Atlanta stage,  Aurora Theatre  debuts its  20 th  Anniversary Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series  with the regional premiere of the hit-musical sensation  Memphis , playing  July 23- August 30, 2015 ! A co-production with Theatrical Outfit, this tuneful tale is sure to strike a chord with music lovers of all ages!  “ When you take a mega musical like  Memphis  and produce it in Aurora’s intimate theatre setting, what you get is an unparalleled experience of fierce emotion, dynamic theatrics and the ability for audiences to immerse...

Great lineup of shows for camp groups and individuals looking for family friendly entertainment Aurora Theatre  celebrates the best child performers in the region, bringing them to Gwinnett County for the Aurora Children’s Playhouse, May 28- June 24!  The summer performances feature five spectacular acts and will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with a Thursday performance opportunity on May 28.  Aurora Children’s Playhouse: Summer Edition  welcomes local families to attend and offers special bus-in group rates for churches, camps and daycare organizations.

Las Mujeres Verdaderas Tienen Curvas Real Women Have Curves  is a  stage play  by  Josefina Lopez  and is set in a tiny  sewing factory in East  Los Angeles  in September 1987. It's marked by the issues of  gender politics  and the  Latina   immigrant  experience. The story is told from the point of view of Ana, the youngest employee at the factory. Ambitious and bright, Ana yearns to go to college , but doesn't have the  money . The action foll ows the course of a summer at the factory, as the women talk about their lives, loves and deepest desires while attempting to meet impossible production deadlines. Recommended for teens and adults interested in culture, Real Women Have Curves plays the Aurora stage  April 10-26.  This is the first time this play is presented in Georgia.  If you have never seen this wonderful play, here are 5 reasons why you should bri...

Annual Spanish Language programming celebrates Gwinnett’s Hispanic community Celebrate the power of womanhood, as five Mexican-American women venture down the road of self-discovery in a coming-of-age drama that will shower audiences of all ages with inspiration and courage! As part of Aurora Theatre’s annual Teatro del Sol, a Spanish language theatre initiative with a goal of the preservation of Hispanic cultural heritage, Real Women Have Curves plays April 10-26, 2015. Based on playwright Josefina Lopez’s own young adult experiences, this widely recognized portrayal of immigration and its impact on women and their families has sparked a greater conversation and call to action for young immigrants struggling to defy the odds and achieve the American dream.

Hilarious Tale of Exploration Pokes Fun at Victorian England’s Patriarchal Ideals Prepare for an adventure filled with zany humor, mad science and a touch of gender inequality, oh my! Hilarity unfolds as one woman propels Victorian England’s prestigious Explorers Club into a tizzy when she is nominated to join the all-male sanctum! With the potential to uproot the patriarchal foundation of the British Empire,  The Explorers Club  combines wry humor with cheeky disposition to present a riveting engagement at  Aurora Theatre, March 26 – April 19, 2015 . With its fast-paced and witty dialogue, the show takes audiences on a journey of juxtaposition of feminine ideals against the oppressive backdrop of conservative 19 th  century Great Britain. "What I love most about this play is that every character is so much fun; you can't take your eyes off of them!  Playwright Nell Benjamin created roles for men who are each uniquely hilarious and display a ton ...

Aurora Theatre  is one of Gwinnett best kept secret. This tiny but mighty venue gives you a very unique and intimate, immmersive theatrical experience that will knock your socks off. The Aurora's staff are like “The Island of Misfit Toys” because they are not only enigmatic, but are able to manage to produce 300 events and entertain 50,000 patrons each season.

Touching and Humorous Play Examines the True Meaning of Family and Friends Picture this: an old-world grandmother, new-age grandson and a tiny New York apartment – what could possibly go wrong? Finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Time Magazine’s number one Play or Musical of 2012,  4000 Miles rolls into Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre February 12 -March 1, 2015 ! Dynamic writer Amy Herzog uses her own feisty grandmother’s experiences and stories to shape the character of elderly Vera in this altogether sensitive and comical story. Audiences are invited to take a trip to New York City’s Greenwich Village and experience the implausible, yet beautiful relationship of two characters, as they embark on a journey to find their place in today’s world. “ 4000 Miles  is a rich, satisfying play filled with humorous moments in an unlikely setting,” says Aurora Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. “Vera and Leo’s bond is deeply touching and serve...

Award-winning Musical Sensation Returns to Historic Lawrenceville Venue LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., (December 8, 2014)  –  Will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand with me?  Audiences are invited to celebrate the global phenomenon of the French novel turned award-winning musical and motion picture  Les   Misérables . The revolution returns to the  Aurora Theatre  stage  January 15 – March 1, 2015 . Winner of five Suzi Bass Awards, including “Best Musical,” audiences will be immersed into Victor Hugo’s heart wrenching tale of passion, sacrifice and betrayal – a testament to the strength and survival of human spirit. With unforgettable melodies like  Bring Him Home ,  Master of the House ,  I Dreamed a Dream  and  On My Own , Aurora’s Mainstage theatre provides an intimate setting for audiences to become engrossed in one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Spirited Solo Performance Captures the True Meaning of Holiday Season The annual holiday classic, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is returning to Aurora Theatre for its eighth consecutive year, November 28-December 21. In true storytelling fashion, audiences travel back to 19th century England for an incredibly personal and moving one-man version of the cherished story that grasps the true meaning of the holiday season – the joy of giving. Starring Aurora veteran Anthony P. Rodriguez as the cold and bitter Ebenezer Scrooge with direction by Tony Brown, audiences are invited to rediscover Dickens’ oft-told tale that has touched hearts for more than 150 years. “ Many think of A Christmas Carol as a huge theatrical production, but the beauty of our version is the simplicity behind it,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director. “Before the novel was brought to stage, Dickens actually read the story at...

Driving Miss Daisy : Pulitzer-Winning Tale of Unexpected Friendship! Directed by Justin Anderson t his timeless story follows the unlikely 25 year friendship of Miss Daisy, a Jewish widow and her African- American chauffeur Hoke. In 1948 Atlanta, their relationship gets off to a steely beginning, but as they navigate the bumpy road of bigotry together a profound, life-altering friendship blossoms. Full of wit and charm, this 1988 Pulitzer Prize winner takes audiences on an unforgettable journey. Producer’s Quote: “ Our goal with the Aurora Theatre production of  Driving Miss Daisy  is to incorporate both the innovative and inspirational aspects of the Harvel Lab Series,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director. “An inspirational story that depicts two characters rising above their time in history,  Driving Miss Daisy,  along with October’s  Clybourne Park,  gives context to the conversation of our ever-changin...

Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical sweeps metro Atlanta with laughter and fun. The Broadway show is opening Aurora Theatre’s   19th   Season Signature Series July 17-August 31 . Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical tells the story of everyone’s favorite “practically perfect” nanny who falls from the sky and into the hearts of the dysfunctional Banks family. With the help of a carefree chimney sweep named Bert, she teaches the family the immeasurable benefits of love, joy and mutual respect for one another one magical lesson at a time. Produced with dazzling theatrical effects and a score that includes  Chim-Chim Cher-ee ,  A Spoonful of Sugar   and  Step in Time , rediscover the Walt Disney classic that has touched the hearts of...

Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series Opens with Disney Classic  Recent Broadway sensation, Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical, sweeps metro-Atlanta with laughter and fun to open Aurora Theatre’s 19 th Season Signature Series July 17-August 31 . Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical tells the story of everyone’s favorite “practically perfect” nanny who falls from the sky and into the hearts of the dysfunctional Banks family. With the help of a carefree chimney sweep named Bert, she teaches the family the immeasurable benefits of love, joy and mutual respect for one another one magical lesson at a time. Produced with dazzling theatrical effects and a score that includes Chim-Chim Cher-ee , A Spoonful of Sugar and Step in Time , rediscover the Walt Disney classic that has touched the hearts of audiences for more than 45 years. “ I have wante...