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<div style="CLEAR: both">Hello,</div>
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<div style="CLEAR: both">There has been a lot of talk about politics lately. Many different organizations are trying to persuade us to vote one way or another by planting seeds of fear in our minds. We are bombarded with Armaggedon scenarios if Senator A is elected and cessation of public funding for this or that is Congresswoman B is elected.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">While it is important to vote, the reality remains that so many of us are unemployed, uninsured, overworked, overstressed, or just feel lost because of "IT ALL."</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">The reality for our not-for-profit theater companies remains, no Albany Arts Grant for 2011, more competition for a smaller pool of funding opportunities, and volunteer artists who are over committed, over stressed, and are searching their memories for the reason they continue to volunteer their precious time, energy, and money to the art.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Yet, even in the face of all the stress and worry, we artists all continue to play. ....Why?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Is it because we like the new friendships and romances that become available with each new show?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Is it because we simply want to be a part of something special?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Is it because we enjoy the challenge of artistic creation?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Is it because we masochistically anticipate the published review or the anticipation of an awards announcement?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Or, Is it because we live for that one moment, when we have the opportunity to share our creation with and to connect with the group of people who have chosen to turn off the TV, mobile phone, and laptop in order to support us and give us the opportunity to entertain and in some cases educate them?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Whatever the reason is, does any of it really matter if our art is not heard, seen, felt, or experienced by our friends, families, and neighbors?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">As Confetti Stage prepares to open its first full length production written by a Capital Region artist, I see the energy, anticipation, and nervousness of everyone who is helping to create it. I also see the doubt and sense the question, What if no one comes?</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Therefore, I am making a plea to all of the artists and supporters of the arts who read this.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">I am asking each of you to spread the word and make your committment to support the dedication and hard work of hometown artists like Jenn Dott, Rita Machin, Stephen Henel, and the rest of the cast of Heresy by purchasing your tickets to one of the 3 performances of Marty Egan's hysterical comedy about the traditions and superstitions we all share in Community Theater.<br>
<br>
WE NEED TO KNOW THIS MATTERS TO YOU!!</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">In 2008, Confetti Stage began choosing 1 short play from its Annual Confetti Fest to be expanded into a full length play and produced during the regular season.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Heresy is the first show to take part in this experiment.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Next year, Kevin Marshall's drama, Forebears of Bad News will be featured. In 2012, Confetti Stage will include Holy Night, by Diane Doring in its regular season.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><STRONG>Is this an endeavor that seems important to you?</STRONG> If so, we need your help to reach a goal of at least 200 audience members this weekend, in order to ensure that the idea of producing the expanded versions of these short plays continues.<br>
</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">If we can't convince 200 people to come out and support the original works of Capital Region artists, how hard will it be trying to justify spending the time and resources that must be used to not only draft the expanded script but mount a full production (a full production that may be considered for submission to a prestigious international play festival)</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><br>
I challenge each one of you to take pride in these local artists, to show your support for their creations, and to help Confetti Stage continue to promote our local talents by purchasing a ticket for you and several of your friends now at <STRONG>www.confettistage.com</STRONG>!<br>
<br>
<STRONG>Heresy</STRONG> is a brilliant piece of theater and I know that anyone who has ever volunteered their time for a Community Theater production will thoroughly enjoy this show!!<br>
</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">
<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal align=left><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt">It’s opening night for the cast and crew of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Playboy of the Western World </I>at this small Upstate New York Community Theater. Nerves are unsteady as everyone arrives at the theater.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Charlie, in his first leading role, fights the opening night jitters by continuously running his lines.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All seems “normal,” until first time actor, Jack, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, utters the name of the Scottish Play, thus bringing the “Macbeth curse” down upon the show.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Jack’s disregard for the tradition of “undoing” the curse, only adds to the tension of the evening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Near blizzard conditions, backstage gossip, an unfulfilled love affair between the leads, a broken furnace, and faulty wiring all thr<FONT size=2>eaten</FONT> to close the show before it <FONT size=2>ever</FONT> opens.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the end, the troupe vows that the show will go on.</SPAN></B></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal align=left><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt"><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN></B> </div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class=MsoNormal align=left><B><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt">Heresy </SPAN></I></B><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt">features: Jenn Dott, Stephen Henel, Vivian Hwang, Rita Machin, Ryan McLaughlin, Jeremy Noble, and Ron Pucherelli.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The production is directed by Neilson R. Jones and based on the original directiorial concept of Daniel Kelly.</SPAN></B></div>
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align=left><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </SPAN></I></div>
<div align=left><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Heresy </SPAN></I></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">runs for 3 performances ONLY:</SPAN></B></div>
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<div align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Friday,<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>October 29, 2010<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>8:00pm</B></FONT></SPAN></div>
<div align=left><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Saturday,<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>October 30, 2010<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>8:00pm</FONT></SPAN></B></div>
<div align=left><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></B></div>
<div align=left><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1 matinee performances will be held on:</SPAN></div>
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in" align=left><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Sunday,<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>October 31, 2010<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>2:00pm</FONT></SPAN></B></div>
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<div style="CLEAR: both"><br>
Heresy runs 1 hour & 30 minutes plus a 15 minute intermission. Tickets are only <STRONG>ONLY ONLY $10 and are available by calling the Confetti Stage Box Office (it's really a mobile phone) at 518-242-8015 and telling Mr. Jeffrey Hocking (Box Office Manager) how many tickets you would like and for which performance.</STRONG></div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><STRONG>Or visit our website (which is under as much construction as the intersection of Rte7 & the Northway has been) <A href="http://www.confettistage.com">www.confettistage.com</A>.</STRONG></div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><STRONG></STRONG> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><STRONG>Performances will be held at</STRONG></div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"><STRONG>The Albany Masonic Hall (the experience of this building and its history alone is worth more than the price of your ticket)</STRONG><br>
67 Corning Place</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Albany, NY 12207</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">(directly behind Albany City Hall & across the street from The Crowne Plaza Hotel)</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Free on street parking weeknights after 6:30pm and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Fee-based public parking garages within 1 block of the Hall. Handicapped Accessible.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">One of the oldest elevators in the city and a main staircase that Norma Desmond would envy.</div>
<div style="CLEAR: both"> </div>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Please come laugh with us. I sincerely hope we see you there.<br>
-Neil ;-)</div>
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