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Comedy-Drama Album Set At Stage 3 Theatre Company
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Album, a comedy drama by David Rimmer and directed by Rocky Rhoades, opens Friday, Oct. 14 and plays for only three weekends until Oct. 30, at Stage 3 Theatre Company, 208 S. Green St., in historic downtown Sonora.

Divided into eight scenes, which span their years at Martin Van Buren High School, the play chronicles the coming of age of two teenaged couples during the turbulent ‘60s. The action ranges from summer camp, to dormitory bedrooms, to senior prom, with the popular music of the period, ever present as a telling counterpoint to, and emotional anchor for, the lives of this young foursome.

Originally conceived as a 15-minute monologue titled, The White Album in 1976, writer David Rimmer expanded the show to three one act plays and through workshops brought it to life as a full eight scene play at Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village as Album, where it played from 1980 to 1981. It was hugely successful and garnered of critical acclaim in its year-long off Broadway run.

“It’s a snapshot of my life in that era, the people that I knew, the things we all went through,” said Rimmer. “I’m so happy that Stage 3 is doing my play, and that they’ve been around for so long.”

“We’re very excited to bring Album to the theatre going community,” said Director Rocky Rhoades.

This is the third show Rhoades has directed for Stage 3, last year’s Almost, Maine and this year’s musical comedy Cowgirls the Musical. He recently won an Elly award for Best Actor in a Drama for Talk Radio.

“It’s a funny and touching coming of age story and these young actors really shine in these roles,” Rhoades said. “For me, Album has been a real labor of love. Working with this material, these young actors and this staff has been a treat. I hope the audiences have as much fun watching the show as we had building it for them.”

Album opens Friday, Oct. 14 and plays until Sunday, Oct. 30, with four shows a week and five on the final weekend, with an added Thursday night performance. Friday, Thursday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with live music in the lobby 45 minutes before curtain, and Saturday and Sunday matinees beginning at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are $17 for students, $22 for seniors and $25 for general admission. For reservations or more information visit Stage3.org or call 209-536-1778.