PEP Productions

January 27, 2008
Contact: Paul Ellis
Phone: 845-469-7563

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Air Pirates Radio Theater Best Theater Troupe of 2007 Returns for Second Season

After completing a successful first season by being voted the Best Theater Troupe in the Hudson Valley by the Times Herald Record Readers’ Poll; The Air Pirates Radio Theater is proud to announce its second season. The Air Pirates, a unique mixture of live contemporary interactive theater and old time radio drama, will once again present their live radio plays at the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf, NY. The five play season will be recorded live and broadcast on WTBQ radio at both 1110 AM and 99.1 FM. This season beginning in May includes five original plays written for The Air Pirates Radio Theater.

The five plays are:

Herb Marks Freelance: Art by the Numbers

Saturday, May 17th

Los Tres Balceneros; The Legend Begins

Saturday, June 21st

Herb Marks Freelance: All Fortunes Are Not Found in Cookies

Saturday, July 19th

Los Tres Balceneros: They Ride Like the Purple Sage

August 15th

Space Cadet: Take Us to Your Lender

Saturday, September 20th

All five plays are scheduled for the Pavilion at the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf. The Air Pirates perform the staged readings as if they were broadcasting live on the radio. An ensemble of five actors portrays all the characters in each episode while the audience is asked to produce all the sound effects. The live performances are recorded for future broadcasts on WTBQ 1110 AM or 99.1 FM and at www.WTBQ.com on the internet.

The Air Pirates were very excited to receive the recognition as the Best Local Theater Troupe in the 2007 Times Herald Record readers’ poll. “For a new group in its first season we were not only honored but surprised by this acknowledgment. We base our work on audience participation and irreverent entertainment. We always strive to make sure our audiences have a good time. I guess it pays off,” said Ellis.

The Air Pirates Radio Theater began in 2007 by presenting the unique idea of mixing Radio Theater and audience participation. With their first production of War of the Worlds the Pirates were on to something. “Having the audiences participate in the productions is a recurring theme in most of my work.” said Paul Ellis, Producer/Director of the Air Pirates. “In the past 30 years plus I have been working in theater and festivals I have always asked more from the audience.” Whether producing plays were the audience was asked to buy the lines in the script or having actors and audience share the same space during performance, Ellis has tried to include the audience in his productions. Asking the audience to take the role of the supplying all the traditional sound effects, crowd noise and any additional requirements of the production made complete sense to Ellis.

Prior to the performance all the necessary toys are made available to the audience and they are given a brief review of what they are to do. The cue card girl prompts them when it’s time to join in.

The Air Pirates Radio Theater five play series is scheduled to perform at the Pavilion at the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf on May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16 and September 20. Tickets are $15 for each show or $50 for the season. For information and to order tickets call 845-469-7563.

The Air Pirates Radio Theater is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralized Program administered by Arts in Orange.

The Air Pirates from left to right bottom Kate Andrews, Jenn Circosta, Tristan Bissell
Top Brian Nieves, Paul Ellis (not pictured: Holly Gorman)