Introducing the Phoenix Theater Group

Essex, Vermont – Sunday, November 13: Local bookstore owner Mike DeSanto announced the formation of Phoenix Theater Group just weeks after opening The Gallery at Phoenix Books & Cafe in Essex, Vermont. The new theater group will present Edward Albee's play At Home at the Zoo from December 7th to December 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington’s Old North End. Tickets are $15 for open seating, and more information can be found at www.offcentervt.com. Student and senior tickets are $10.

The mission of the Phoenix Theater Group is to produce an eclectic offering of contemporary plays that present strong political, social or philosophical statements which speak to current and universal issues in our society. Actors will demonstrate their skills in productions that are faithful to the playwright’s intentions. Plays which have minimal production requirements will allow for the emphasis to be on the play and the performers. Mike DeSanto is the artistic director/producer of the group.

DeSanto says "I seek plays that are didactic in the classical sense, in that the play teaches the audience about life - the way early Greek plays taught citizens the right way to be citizens. I sense a dearth of challenging theater in the area and want to produce plays with roles actors can really get their teeth into and wrap their minds and imaginations around - roles that are provocative and new. I'd love to form a core group that keeps coming back to do plays."

Examples of plays under consideration in the future include, but are not limited to: Circle, Mirror, Transformation by Annie Baker; Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee; Marie and Bruce by Wallace Shawn.

The Phoenix Theater Group will seriously consider producing plays by local authors, as well as plays by talented new and emerging playwrights. Gender-neutral casting will be considered when appropriate. The group will be funded by private sources, and efforts to gain 501.c.3 status are underway. The intention is to use the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts as the home stage, but future productions could be staged at any venue in the region. Submissions by local authors may be made directly to Phoenix Theater Group, c/o Mike DeSanto, 34 Valley View Drive, Milton, VT. 05468. Inquiries may also be made at mike(dot)desanto(at)gmail.com, or at 802-363-6116.