New theater company, Enter Stage Left, makes Dallas debut this March

by Shawn Parikh

Closer

When:	Friday, March 27, 2009, 8 p.m.
Where:	Teatro Dallas, 1331 Record Crossing Road, Dallas
Cost:	$15 - $20
Age limit:	17+
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The amount of theater companies in DFW is ever increasing and this year has been the start of many. Even earlier this month, the new theater company Upstart Productions made a great debut with Topdog/Underdog opening to rave reviews. Now, a new theater company has popped up, Enter Stage Left, and they are making their debut this spring with the provocative play, Closer. The show will run from March 27 - April 18, 2009 at Teatro Dallas.

The new company "seeks to perform contemporary and classical works in a modern style that explores current and timeless human issues. The vision is to create a connection between artist and audience that inspires thought and conversation about modern society’s values, conflicts and perspectives."

Closer, which you probably know from the Oscar-nominated movie starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, and Jude Law, was also the winner of the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Play and the 1999 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Play.

Four lives intertwine over the course of 4.5 years in this densely plotted, stinging look at modern love and betrayal. Dan, an obituary writer, meets Alice, a stripper, after an accident in the street. Eighteen months later, they are a couple, and Dan has written a novel inspired by Alice. While posing for his book jacket cover, Dan meets Anna, a photographer. He pursues her, but she rejects his advances despite their mutual attraction. Larry, a dermatologist, "meets" Dan in an Internet chat room. Dan, obsessing over Anna, pretends to be her and has cybersex with Larry. They arrange to meet the next day at an aquarium. Larry arrives and so too, coincidentally, does the real Anna. This sets up a series of pass-the-lover scenes in which this quartet struggle to find intimacy but can't seem to get closer. The production will be directed by Jason Folks.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 972-754-2672. Here is a trailer for the film to get you in the mood for the play: