Each year MET provides the community with dozens of opportunities. From edgy theatre to family

programming and theatre classes, you’re bound to

find something to interest the entire family.

MET’s resident troupe, The Comedy Pigs, holds the title of the Mid-

Atlantic region’s longest running sketch comedy/improv show! In

addition, MET will bring you more comedy events througout the season

from regional comedy troupes and comedians!

MET brings inspiring, engaging, entertaining theatre to downtown

Frederick, MD. Each season, we include six shows in our mainstage series. MET’s intimate venue creates a

visceral experience for performers and audiences alike.

Our Fun Company theatre series gives many families the opportunity to explore theatre together and give

many children their first theatre experience.

MET offers many special events throughout the year, such as our yearly

tour of A Christmas Carol, our ever-popular RetroProm and our yearly

community-based summer projects.

The Ensemble School brings actor training to the MET litany of programs. Our success preparing

future theatre artists is evident as some of our previous students are now professional actors in the

region, Los Angeles and New York.

BY CHRISTOPHER DURANG

Felicity is suddenly in crisis: Is her new husband, whom she married when drunk, a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father’s hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? Honing in on our private terrors both at home and abroad, Durang oddly relieves our homeland “insecurity” in this black comedy for an era of yellow, orange and red alerts.

SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 2Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 9/11, 10/2 @ 7pm, 9/18 & 9/25 @ 2pm

DIRECTED BY GENE FOUCHE‘ ‘

“Hilarious and Disturbing.”NY Times

In a Chicago junk shop three small-time crooks plot to carry out the midnight robbery of a coin collection. In the hours leading up to the heist, friendship becomes the victim in a conflict between loyalty and business in this often humorous, gripping, award-winning drama.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 20Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 10/30, 11/20 @ 7pm, 11/6 & 11/13 @ 2pm

BY DAVID MAMETDIRECTED BY PETER WRAY

“One of the best American plays.”NY Times

BY JEFF GOODE

Santa’s reindeer are dishing out the real dirt on ol’ St. Nick. Want to know the truth about him and the elves? About Rudolph’s little secret? About Vixen’s story that was leaked to the press? The reindeer finally speak, and they’re not holding back!

DECEMBER 8 – JANUARY 1Thu-Sat @ 8pm (No shows 12/24 & 12/25), Sun 12/11, 1/1 @ 7pm, 12/18 @ 2pm

DIRECTED BY TIM SELTZER“Wickedly funny”NY Times

BY DEB LAUFER

Sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all.

FEBRUARY 2-26Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 2/5, 2/26 @ 7pm, 2/12 & 2/19 @ 2pm

DIRECTED BY TAD JANES

“Rapturously funny” The Miami Herald

adapted BY REINER PROCHASKA

In a war-torn society, Antigone defies the male leaders and the laws of her society by securing a proper burial for her brother. MET puts their own spin on a timeless classic in this new adaptation of Sophocles’ tale by resident playwright Reiner Prochaska.This show sponsored by The Frank Greene Fund for New Work.

March 22 – April 15Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 3/25, 4/15 @ 7pm, 4/1 @ 2pm (No Show on 4/8)

DIRECTED BY JULIE HERBER

“The greater your arrogance, the greater God’s revenge.”

BY MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Yep! The title says it all – MET brings you another original ensemble created production that’s sure to have you busting a gut, tapping your toes, singing along and pulling the straw from your teeth!

MAY 10 – JUNE 3Thu-Sat @ 8pm, Sun 5/13, 6/3 @ 7pm, 5/20 & 5/27 @ 2pm

“For the Fredneck in all of us.”

ChristmasCarol

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Bring in the holidays with MET’s annual tour of Dickens’ heart warming Christmas classic – now in three locations!

The Maryland Theatre, Hagerstown – December 2-3301-790-3500 • mdtheatre.org

Carroll Arts Center, Westminster – December 8-10410-848-7272 • carrollcountyartscouncil.org

Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick – December 16-18301-600-2828 • weinbergcenter.org

*Tickets for a Christmas Carol are not handled through the MET box office. Please call the individual theatre for tickets.

“I want to put on my my my my my boogie shoes just to boogie with you.”

H.W. Casey/R. FinchKC and the Sunshine Band

Come dance the night away at MET’s ever-popular 8th annual Retro Prom!

Saturday, March 10 • 7:00 -11:30pmWilliam R. Talley Recreation Center

121 N. Bentz St., Frederick

The

Comedy PigsAnniversary Weekend!

New piggies and old join together for a weekend of improv and sketch comedy – Pig style! Join the Pigs Friday night for improv and Saturday for an

evening of classic Pig sketches.

August 26 @ 8pmAugust 27 @8pmat Maryland Ensemble Theatre

September 17 – October 9Sat @ 2pm, Sun 10/2 & 10/9 @ 2pm

The Pirates of Pelican PointEvery year the seaside town of Pelican Point has its annual boat race and every year ten-year-old Jonah is left out of the fun. Lonely and bullied by the other children, all Jonah wants is a friend. When a band of misfit pirates come to town he may get his wish!

November 26 – December 17Sat & Sun @ 2pm

The commedia pinocchioPinocchio springs to life from a block of wood and gets swallowed by a great fish. The tale of Pinocchio is told here through the lively and fun comedy form known as commedia dell’arte, which has used the various talents of the actors’ acrobatics, dance, music and quick wit to entertain audiences since the 15th century.

March 31 – April 22Sat @ 2pm, Sun 4/15 & 4/22 @ 2pm

The young olympians and the most amazingly awesome adventure ever!

When Zeus and his Olympians are mysteriously stripped of their memory, it is up to Zeus’s sons, Hercules and Perseus, to save Mt. Olympus. The two young heroes-in-training, along with their friend Jason, set off on an adventure to find an ancient device that will restore the Gods’ memory and along the way they learn what it really means to be a hero. May 19 – June 10

Sat @ 2pm, Sun 6/3 & 6/10 @ 2pm

heidiKidnapped by her cruel aunt and sent to live in the city with a strict housekeeper and sick cousin, young Heidi struggles to remain optimistic, wondering if her grandfather is searching for her. While dreaming of her peaceful life atop the Swiss Alps, Heidi gets into mischief and makes surprising new friends, changing the lives of everyone she meets! Adapted from the classic 1880 novel by Johanna Spyri.

By Sarah Shulman

Adapted by Allison Lepelletier

By Lane Riosley

By Caitlyn Joy

The Comedy Pigs2011-2012 Season

The Comedy Pigs Anniversary Weekend

Aug 26 & 27 @ 8pm

Sept 17 & 24 @ 10:30pmOct 15 @ 10:30pm

Nov 5 & 12 @ 10:30pmJan 13 & 14 @ 9pm

Feb 4 & 11 @10:30pmMarch 2 & 3 @9pm

April 7 & 14 @10:30pmApril 28 @ 9pm

May 18 & 19 @ 10:30pmJune 2 @ 10:30pm

The Comedy Pigs, MET’s resident improv/sketch comedy troupe is back with a new season of gut wrenching fun!

Stay tuned throughout the season for other weekends of comedy by some of the region’s funniest performers.

Photo by Franky Orr

Summer Theatre Camp

The Fun Company and The Ensemble School offer summer

theatre camp programs for ages 7-16. Choose from 3 different

2-week sessions.All camps include a final performance

on the last day.For information call the box office or

visit our website.

Classes in Acting • Improvisation • Musical Theatre • Auditioning

Movement • Voice and Speech • Special TopicsAges 7 to Adult

12-Week Sessions begin in September and FebruarySmall class sizes!

Call the Box Office or visit the website for a class schedule www.marylandensemble.org • 301-694-4744From left: Photos 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9 by Joe Williams, photos 1, 2 & 4 by Misti Morningstar,

photo 5 by Bettina Strauss

Important Information SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS

SUPPORT METMake a tax deductible contribution! Be a corporate sponsor! Advertise in our Playbills! There are lots of ways to get involved! Call our box office at 301-694-4744 for more information.

LOCATIONMET is located at 31 West Patrick Street in the FSK Hotel in Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland. For directions, visit our website marylandensemble.org or call the box office at 301-694-4744. Our theatre is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs.

Downtown Frederick has numerous cultural offerings, visitor tours, wonderful shopping, antiquing and dining all quartered within a 16 block, nationally-renowned Arts and Entertainment District. For more information on Downtown Frederick, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County at fredericktourism.org or the Downtown Frederick Partnership at downtownfrederick.org.

SHOW DATES AND TIMESMainstage show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8pm and select Sunday matinees (2pm) and evening shows (7pm). FUN Company performances are on Saturdays and selected Sundays @ 2pm. Individual Tickets: $24/$20, Thursday and Sunday evenings $15, $12 for Fun Company shows , $12 for Comedy Pigs shows

MAINSTAGE SERIES TICKETSSeason Tickets: $110• One ticket for each of these shows: Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, American Buffalo, The Eight Reindeer Monologues, End Days, Antigone and The All New Grand Ole’ Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoedown Jamboree• A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show• A voucher for a Fun Company showTickets are show specific and not interchangeable.Flex Pass: $120• 6 tickets good for any of these shows: Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, American Buffalo, The Eight Reindeer Monologues, End Days, Antigone and The All New Grand Ole’ Hee Haw Hootenanny Hoedown Jamboree• A voucher for a Comedy Pigs show• A voucher for a Fun Company showTickets are NOT show specific and can be used for any MET Mainstage show

*Schedule subject to change

FUN COMPANY FAMILY THEATRE SERIES TICKETSSeason Tickets: $40• One ticket for each of these shows: The Pirates of Pelican Point, Commedia Pinnochio, The Young Olympians and the most Awesomely Amazing Adventure Ever! and Heidi

GROUP SALESDiscounts are available on group sales of ten or more tickets. Call 301-694-4744 for more information.

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301-694-4744 • marylandensemble.org

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS 2 GREAT WAYS TO BUY TICKETS AND SAVE!

SIMPLY FILL OUT THIS FORM, CALL THE BOX OFFICE, OR ORDER ONLINE: 301-694-4744 • MARYLANDENSEMBLE.ORG

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________________________________________________

Phone _________________________________________ e-mail __________________________________________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Season Tickets, $110 each Save $56 $ __________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Flex Passes, $120 each Save $46 $ __________________

I wish to purchase ____ set(s) of Fun Company Season Tickets, $40 each $ __________________

Handling Charge $ __________________

Enclosed is a tax deductible contribution $ __________________

Total Enclosed $ __________________

Check Enclosed

Charge my (circle one) Visa Mastercard Discover

Card Number _________________________________________________________________ Expires ___________________

Signature _______________________________________________________________________________________________Mail to Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

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SEASON TICKETSPurchase Season Tickets and see six MET Mainstage plays for just $110. You’ll save $56 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets). Tickets are show specific and not interchangeable.

FLEX PASSThe Flex Pass is six tickets for any MET plays of your choice and can be purchased for $120. Whether you use all six tickets on a given evening, or throughout the season, you’ll save $46 off regular admission prices (including Fun Company and Comedy Pigs tickets).

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDFrederick, MDPermit #597