Who: The Tabard Theatre Company presents
What: The West Coast Premiere of Evelyn in Purgatory Written by Topher Payne
When: Friday, January 12 through Sunday, January 28, 2018 (See schedule below)
Where: Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110 (Parking is validated for most performances at the San Pedro Square Garage directly across the street)
Why: When a complaint is filed against one of the 70,000 teachers in New York's public schools, they're sent to a Reassignment Center. Totally true! There, they sit and wait for their case to be reviewed.

Box Office: 408.679.2330 or www.tabardtheatre.org/tickets
Tickets: $32 - $44
Cabaret Seating: $42 - $44
Tiered Seating: $30 - $32 (Some discounts available for seniors and full-time students)

Performance Schedule:

Friday, Jan. 12 @ 8:00pm (Opening Performance)
Saturday, Jan. 13 (1:30pm to 2:00pm. Free hands-on presentation for visually impaired patrons. Everyone is welcome.)
Saturday, Jan. 13 @ 3:00pm
Saturday, Jan. 13 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, Jan. 14 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Jan. 18 @ 8pm
Friday, Jan. 19 @ 8pm
Saturday, Jan. 20 @ 3:00pm
Saturday, Jan. 20 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, Jan. 21 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Jan. 25 @ 8pm
Friday, Jan. 26 @8pm
Saturday, Jan. 27 @ 3:00pm
Saturday, Jan. 27 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, Jan. 28 @ 2:00pm (Closing Performance)

Photo: The cast of The Tabard Theatre Company's production of Evelyn in Purgatory. Photography: Edmond Kwong/ImageWurx; Stephanie Whigham.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Director: Cathy Spielberger Cassetta.
Cast: Nanette Riendeau as Evelyn with Rich Holman, Charlynn Knighton, Marika Kuzma, and Peter Spoelstra

Based on real teacher "rubber rooms" in New York City, this surprising and captivating dramatic comedy follows five teachers one school year while they await their hearing. Usually for months. Sometimes for over a year. A claim of improper behavior by a failing student lands Evelyn Reid in a "Breakfast Club" for grown-ups. There she encounters a group of teachers, some guilty, some not, who have long since lost any hope of returning to a classroom. Over the course of the school year, this experience provides them with educating choices: they form an unlikely alliance, remind each other of forgotten passions, and emerg to face life outside in unexpected new directions. They also learn French and workshop a screenplay!

"A very funny dramatic comedy, in the vein of Steel Magnolias." - ArtsAtlanta
"The Breakfast Club for teachers... an uncommonly smart and restrained commentary on the public education system." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"A remarkably well-constructed and very funny dramatic comedy… we're kept constantly curious about each character." - ArtsATL

"I love how these characters are introduced, how they change before our eyes (through an unlayering of truth and falsehood rather than through arbitrary plot contrivances.) I love how they surprise, how they make me laugh and move me, how they represent a broad spectrum of teachers and styles and ambitions. I loved every minute of Evelyn in Purgatory." - Atlanta Theatre Buzz

Evelyn in Purgatory was first produced by The Essential Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA in July 2012 under the direction of Betty Hart.

Theatre on San Pedro Square (The Destination for Arts Discovery) is located in the heart of historic San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose amid a bustling restaurant district. This intimate and unique venue brings a touch of Manhattan to the South Bay with its rustic yet edgy feel. Old brick walls, plush leather seats, antique wood plank floors, sweeping red velvet drapes and a 35-foot mahogany bar create a casual cabaret atmosphere. The full bar also offer a variety of food choices that may be enjoyed while watching the show.

For every production, Tabard designates a local non-profit, that is in some way related to the theme of the show, to receive a portion of its concession proceeds. The designated non-profit for Evelyn in Purgatory is the San Jose chapter of RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), a national non-profit that provides materials and resources to local teachers.
www.raftbayarea.org

Tabard's Mission
Tabard's mission is to provide live entertainment experiences that are enlightening, appropriate and affordable for audiences of all ages. We champion new works, innovative interpretations, and unique plays rarely staged. Tabard is an inclusive environment where the community can participate in every aspect of the plays, musicals, educational programs and music concerts we produce. With altruistic attention to the underserved, Tabard reaches out to communities such as the visually impaired and children in low-income areas, and donates a portion of each production's concessions proceeds to a designated local charity. The Tabard Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) California Corporation.