Signature Theatre to Host No Rules Theater Company Through 2015

Commencing this summer, Northern Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre will be the new home to the emerging No Rules Theater Company (NRTC) through 2015. The partnership between the two companies will provide NRTC with use of the Theatre's facilities, including office and rehearsal space. NRTC's 2012/13 season, the company's 4th, will be presented in Signature's 115-seat ARK Theatre. Brian Sutow and Joshua Morgan, the company's Co-Artistic Directors, have today announced their upcoming season, which includes Black Comedy from award-winning playwright Peter Shaffer, the world premiere of The Personal(s), and the anything-goes revue, The No Rules Show. Signature, in its new building in Shirlington since 2007, will assist in mentoring the young and quickly growing company as it remains in residence.

Eric Schaeffer, Signature's Artistic Director stated, "When Joshua (NRTC Co-Artistic Director) approached me about searching for a new home for his theatre company, it proved to be perfect timing. No Rules reminds me so much of Signature in our early years with their creative spirit and gutsy attitude. I'm looking forward to working with them on this special partnership as they continue to grow and become a force in Washington's theatrical community."

"I am thrilled and inspired by Signature helping to mentor No Rules Theatre Company through this residency," said Brian Sutow. "This is a model I hope other companies around the country will adopt, as it seems like a brilliant, mutually beneficial way to help nurture future generations of theater artists and producers. We are incredibly grateful to have the trust and belief of Eric and Maggie. Being in residence at Signature is bound to be a major step forward for No Rules as we continue to try to reach greater heights of creative excellence."

Prior to calling Signature their home, NRTC resided at H Street Playhouse, which announced its plans to close earlier this year. The company still has a base in Winston-Salem, NC at the Hanesbrands Theatre. NRTC just completed their 2011/12 season with the Washington DC premiere of the tragicomedy Suicide, Incorporated. Signature completed their 22nd season with the musical comedy Xanadu and will open their new season on August 14th with the musical comedy favorite The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Maggie Boland, Managing Director of Signature Theatre said, "Everyone at Signature is looking forward to working with the No Rules staff and artists to assist them in managing their growth responsibly and to provide them with the opportunity to reach a broader audience. In turn, we are thrilled with the chance to introduce Signature's work to the No Rules audience. This is certainly an auspicious time for both theatres – and the beginning of what is sure to be an extraordinary relationship."

NO RULES THEATRE COMPANY'S 2012/2013 SEASON

Black Comedy
By Peter Shaffer
Directed by Matt Cowart
February 6, 2013 - March 2, 2013

A power-outage causes endless hilarity in this classic farce from famed playwright Peter Shaffer (Equus, Amadeus). Young Sculptor Brindsley Miller's schemes to impress his fiancée's father and a millionaire art collector are plunged into chaos when a fuse blows inside of his London apartment. Hilarious hijinks ensue in what is widely regarded to be one of the funniest farces of all-time.

World Premiere
The Personal(s)
Adapted By Brian Sutow
From the Films Blind Date by Stanley Tucci and Theo Van Gogh
Directed by Josh Hecht
April 24, 2013 - May 18, 2013

After surviving a tragedy, estranged husband and wife Don and Janna go on a series of "blind dates" to try and save their marriage. Based on the critically acclaimed film directed by Stanley Tucci that was in turn based on the 1996 Dutch film by Theo Van Gogh, The Personal(s) is the third incarnation of a story that is often compared to the classic Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Both heartbreaking and hilarious, The Personal(s) is a moving inquiry into humor, compassion and our ability to endure.