WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Shane Peterman is proud to announce casting and creative details for the one person play THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE by Jane Wagner, starring Marianne Galloway, directed by Ashley Puckett Gonzales. This is the first production of WaterTower’s 29th Season.
Jane Wagner’s ever-timely, iconic, one-woman show, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, examines American society, art, and human connectivity and explores the feminist movement. As one actor transforms into a series of archetypal characters, they become the play’s guiding conscience for the audience—a comical, quirky, and outlandish conveyor of the nuances of American society. Under the guidance of this beloved narrator, a role originated by Lily Tomlin, the audience is treated to a mischievously clever observer of the society around her. Lily Tomlin's one-woman tour-de-force won The Drama Desk Award and The New York Drama Critics Circle Award as well as a Tony for Best Actress. It will play on the Terry Martin Main Stage from November 6th through the 17th at the Addison Theatre Centre.
Director, Ashley Puckett Gonzales, returning to WTT to direct her first production since the critically acclaimed premiere of THE MANIC MONOLOGUES, shared the following: "Search for Signs is such a unique and wonderful piece filled with humor and raw humanity. I am so excited to bring this piece to the stage in one of my favorite spaces with one of the absolute best actresses and humans in DFW. It is a show that steps back and lets us look at the world thru alien eyes so that we can remember our connection with one another and rediscover the messy beauty of being human.”
The creative & production team includes Kae Styron as Set Designer, Hope Cox as Costume Designer, Bryant Yeager as Lighting Designer, Ruby Pullum as Property Designer, Dylan Hearn as Sound Designer, Davvi Solomon as the Equity Production Stage Manager, and Ruby Pullum as Assistant Stage Manager. Avery Baker will be making her WTT debut as Ms. Galloway’s understudy.
The production has been approved by Actors Equity Association, ensuring the safety of both artists and patrons alike.
Contains adult topics & language. Recommended for ages 13 and above.
WaterTower Theatre’s 2024-2025 Season Sponsor is the Town of Addison.
ABOUT THE ACTRESS:
MARIANNE GALLOWAY (Trudy, et al) Area credits include: The Manic Monologues (Company Member) for WaterTower Theater, The Persians (Atossa) for Undermain Theater, Angels in America (Harper), Spring Awakening (Adult Women), Fire and Air (Misia) for Uptown Players, Lovers and Executioners (Julie/Fredrick) for Circle Theater, Children of A Lesser God (Sarah) for Contemporary Theater of Dallas, Once Upon A Mattress (King Sextimus) for Stage West, Beehive (Janis Joplin/Brenda Lee) and {title of show} (Susan) for Theatre Three. Off-Broadway: The NYC Premiere of Laundry and Bourbon (Elizabeth, Clurman Theatre) Film/TV: 11.22.63 (The Woman in Red) on Hulu. Affiliations: Member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, and Directors Lab West. Founding Artistic Director of Risk Theater Initiative. Represented by Core Talent. Proud Disabled Actor. Instagram: @mariannegalloway
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Ashley Puckett Gonzales (Director) has enjoyed 20 years as a professional actor and theatre maker. In the last few years directing has become her true focus and she really loves being on the other side of the table. She has worked as a director and associate director in theatres ranging from high schools, to regionals, to Off-Broadway. She has always taught, coached, and directed both kids and adults; and her students have worked in shows ranging from community theatres, Broadway’s The Lion King, to Dallas Theatre Center and other regional houses. Ashley is also an accomplished actress that has performed in Broadway National tours, at Madison Square Garden, The Kennedy Center, and at countless regional theaters. She brings that experience to bear as she strives to tell good stories with passion and creativity. She is particularly proud of I Am My Own Wife and The Manic Monologues at WTT, Violet at Firehouse Theatre and of the Theatre Free For All program at WTT using theatre to benefit kids of all abilities and learning styles.
Show Run Dates: November 6-17, 2024
Single tickets are on sale now.
This production will be staged on the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre at 15650 Addison Road, Addison, Texas 75001.
For more information on WaterTower Theatre and upcoming productions, visit us online at www.watertowertheatre.org or call the Box Office at 972.450.6232.