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Superior Donuts

Presented by The Circuit Playhouse at The Circuit Playhouse

August 27-September 19, 2010

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Arthur Przbyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This provocative comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago’s most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship. From the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of August: Osage County, The New York Times describes SUPERIOR DONUTS as “a warm bath of a play that will leave audiences with satisfied smiles.”

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The Circuit Playhouse

    51 S Cooper
    Memphis, TN 38104

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    $33 - Adults $20 - Students, Seniors, Military $10 - Children $20 - Opening Weekend Special

    Info Phone: 901-725-0776

    Email

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    August 27-September 19, 2010

    Times:
    

    Thursday-Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm

  • Accessibility Info

    

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Superior Donuts
      "Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
      Comment posted by: Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Aug 30, 2010
      

      The Playhouse on the Square web site, in promoting Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, at Circuit Playhouse, quotes the New York Times review describing it as a “warm bath of a play.” Compared to... Expand

      The Playhouse on the Square web site, in promoting Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, at Circuit Playhouse, quotes the New York Times review describing it as a “warm bath of a play.” Compared to Letts’ Pulitzer Prize winning play, August: Osage County, or from a Manhattan perspective, that may be true but I think that Memphis playgoers will find it a bit more biting. The play takes place in a deteriorating uptown Chicago neighborhood where break-ins and vandalism are common place. The Superior Donut shop of Arthur Przybyszewski has seen better days and so has Arthur. Franco, the obviously intelligent young black man looking for a job is plagued by his own desperate circumstances. I would say the play is a comedy with dark overtones, with some good laughs and a sprinkling of four letter words, a character study wherein redemption may be possible. Directed by Pamela Poletti, James Dale Green and Jonathan Underwood, playing Arthur and Franco find the right balance of push and resistance while forming their friendship. The supporting characters: the cops, played by Jamie Mann and Truth, the Russians played by Chris Hart and Michael Frutticher, the hoodlums played by Michael Mullins and Michael Bechard, the alcoholic bag lady played by JoLynne Palmer bring their piece of Chicago into the doughnut shop to round out the tale. Ms. Palmer was singled out in my conversation with a playgoer on opening night, he said “that if the playwright had seen JoLynne playing Lady, he would have expanded the role.” Her characterization is dead-on. Superior Donuts opened at Steppenwolf in Chicago in 2008 and moved to Broadway in 2009, with good reviews. Circuit’s production is slightly flawed with uneven dialects and weak stage fights but all in all the play holds the charm and interest that Mr. Letts has spun. It plays at the New Circuit Playhouse through September 19. Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Superior Donuts
      "Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
      Comment posted by: Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Aug 30, 2010
      

      The Playhouse on the Square web site, in promoting Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, at Circuit Playhouse, quotes the New York Times review describing it as a “warm bath of a play.” Compared to... Expand

      The Playhouse on the Square web site, in promoting Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, at Circuit Playhouse, quotes the New York Times review describing it as a “warm bath of a play.” Compared to Letts’ Pulitzer Prize winning play, August: Osage County, or from a Manhattan perspective, that may be true but I think that Memphis playgoers will find it a bit more biting. The play takes place in a deteriorating uptown Chicago neighborhood where break-ins and vandalism are common place. The Superior Donut shop of Arthur Przybyszewski has seen better days and so has Arthur. Franco, the obviously intelligent young black man looking for a job is plagued by his own desperate circumstances. I would say the play is a comedy with dark overtones, with some good laughs and a sprinkling of four letter words, a character study wherein redemption may be possible. Directed by Pamela Poletti, James Dale Green and Jonathan Underwood, playing Arthur and Franco find the right balance of push and resistance while forming their friendship. The supporting characters: the cops, played by Jamie Mann and Truth, the Russians played by Chris Hart and Michael Frutticher, the hoodlums played by Michael Mullins and Michael Bechard, the alcoholic bag lady played by JoLynne Palmer bring their piece of Chicago into the doughnut shop to round out the tale. Ms. Palmer was singled out in my conversation with a playgoer on opening night, he said “that if the playwright had seen JoLynne playing Lady, he would have expanded the role.” Her characterization is dead-on. Superior Donuts opened at Steppenwolf in Chicago in 2008 and moved to Broadway in 2009, with good reviews. Circuit’s production is slightly flawed with uneven dialects and weak stage fights but all in all the play holds the charm and interest that Mr. Letts has spun. It plays at the New Circuit Playhouse through September 19. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.

• What's
  Nearby

  • Nearby Galleries

    • Artists on Central - 2256 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: 901-276-1251
      Email: jane@palladiogroup.com
      

  • Nearby Other Businesses

    • Biggs Powel Interior Design - 1698 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: (901)-725-5225
      Email: info@biggspowell.com
      

  • • Colors Modeling Agency - 2259 Young Avenue, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: 901.726.9300
      

  • • Dr William N Castle, D.D.S. - 79 N. Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: (901) 685-5008
      

  • • inbalance FITNESS, LLC - 794 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: (901) 272-2205
      

  • Nearby Restaurants/Dining

    • Hi Tone Cafe - 1913 Poplar, Memphis, TN 38104
      

  • • Huey's - 1910 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
      

  • • Java Cabana - 2170 Young Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
      

  • • Otherlands - 641 S Cooper, Memphis, TN 38104
      

  • • The Uptown Grocer - 2169 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
      Phone: 901-276-3801
      

  • • Young Ave Deli - 2119 Young Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104