Congressman Doggett to Attend Grrl Action

Rude Mechs is thrilled to announce our selection as one of only three Austin-area agencies to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The funds will be used to support the preservation of jobs surrounding our outreach program for teenaged girls, Grrl Action, and the development of our new musical titled I've Never Been So Happy.

We are also deeply honored that Congressman Doggett plans to attend the Saturday, July 25th performance (2 pm) of Grrl Action to meet Grrl Action participants and their families and to say a few words to the Grrl Action audience before the show.

Rude Summer Calendar

Plan your summer with Rude Mechs and mark your calendar.

We've got Henry V in there right now through 07/25. Get tix here!

Grrl Action performances are FREE and will be held on 07/25 & 07/26 at 2pm, and it appears that as a result of the NEA Recovery award, we will be graced with the presence of Congressman Lloyd Doggett at the Grrl performance on the 25th. We hope it works out because we are huge fans of his and would love to express our gratitude in person for all of his great work.

The Sci-fEye Ball is on August 22nd. Invitations will go out in the mail next week and you will be BLOWN AWAY by Carol Gunn's beautiful artwork and invitation design. Tickets will go on sale August 1st. We are still accepting fabulous Silent Auction and Live Auction items. If you want to donate, just send an email to auction@rudemechs.com and let us know!

Then September 10 - 20 we will mount another work-in-progress presentation of I've Never Been So Happy featuring the last 5 scenes of the play. We're testing a new format - so come tell us what you think! And then we'll start fundraising like mad to do a full production one day.

And then right after I've Never Been So Happy we will launch the Oyster Club season with the September event - the party at the Plant at Kyle. The Oyster Club leads you to 8 cultural events (one per month, September - April) and features local foods & beverages organized by Edible Austin. Check out rudemechs.com for club details, sign up information, and a look at last year's events.

Bam! More Henry V Testimonials!

From our friends at Red Then Productions about HENRY V happening right now at The Off Center:

The 4th of July wasn't the only reason for rockets' red glare this weekend: Henry V marched through France and conquered Austin. Enthusiastic audiences, Out & About in the Statesman observed, "....surged to their feet in appreciation."

Austin Live Theatre opines of Red Then Productions' Henry V, "An interpretation of depth, grace and a profound understanding of Shakespeare's language and text, Robert Faires' Henry V is not to be missed."

Ann Ciccolella, Artistic Director of Austin Shakespeare, observed, "O so delighted to be so surprised by so much imagination, humor, power and language....I experienced passages like I had never heard them before even in reading." 

Other audiences comment: 

"You will be blown away!"

"Robert Faires' adaptation of Henry V for 1 actor, bench, apple, flashlight, bowl, thermos of water, glasses and hanky is real theater!"

"Everyone should go see this show. I want to see it again actually."

"This is the finest Henry V I've seen yet. Astounding stage work by Robert Faires, economical and graceful direction, and superb design. If you live anywhere near Austin, don't miss this."

Get your tickets NOW! Performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm through July 25 at the Off Center, home of the Rudes, 2211-A Hidalgo. Tickets at rudemechs.com or 800-838-3006.

Henry V Opens Tomorrow! Check out the press!

A post from our friends at Red Then Productions who are producing Shakespeare's Henry V starring Austin's own Robert Faires at The Off Center as part of Rude Mechs' Rude Fusion series:

Henry V opens July 2nd (tomorrow!) and we couldn't be more excited. Robert is, in the words of the Bard, "like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the starts."

Our friends at KUT, the Statesman, and the West Austin News and are showing a lot in interest in the production too! Hear our talk with John Aielli on Aielli Unleashed http://kut.org/items/show/17325. Robert also recorded a segment for Arts Eclectic which runs throughout the day on KUT.

But wait! There's more! Tomorrow (July 2nd) at 3:00 pm Red Then Productions Artistic Director, Barbara Chisholm, will be participating in a live chat as part of Michael Barnes' Avant Le Weekend on Out and About. Log in to www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outandabout/entries/2009/06/30/live_chat_avant.html at 3:00 pm and chat with Barbara!

Robert answered Three Questions for Jeanne Claire van Ryzin and it'll run in Sunday's edition of the paper.

AND Forrest Preece's piece about our production with lovely family photos is in the current issue of the West Austin News on stands now.

Henry V opens tomorrow and runs through July 25. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 5pm. Special 4th of July performance at 5pm with complimentary champagne and sparklers too!

Can't wait to see you!

From "we few, we happy few" at Henry V.