March 15 - April 1

Next Act Theatre, 255 S Water St.

Wed: 3/21 & 3/28 - 7:30pm

Thurs: 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 - 7:30pm

Fri: 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 - 8:00pm

Sat: 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 - 8:00pm

Sun: 3/18, 3/25, 4/1 - 2:00pm

And Pay What You Can on Mon 3/19 - 7:30pm

All other shows, tickets $12 - $23

Call the Next Act box office for tickets

414-278-0765

Synopsis

Your advertising firm helped elect the President of the United Sates. Now you are being recruited for the next campaign and you are not sure you want to do it. There is a new offer to get involved in a historic campaign in Egypt. Meanwhile, things are not going well at home, and you are in the middle of a conflict with your long-term friend  and business partner.

Welcome to the world of Rick Sterling, a high powered executive.  Follow him thought 70 minutes of real life and examine the choices he makes, and the price he’s willing to pay, for SUCCESS.

On the Play and the U.S. State Department Tour in India

Success was first produced by Theatre X in 1991. John Kishline interviewed various prominent citizens of Milwaukee and asked for their public and private definitions of success. The resulting chamber play was 70 minutes of real time in the life of a driven, highly accomplished advertising executive. It was a kind of meditation on the costs and trade-offs of success.

Twenty years later, the play has been rewritten and somewhat re-conceived for the Hindu Metro Plus Theatre Festival & U.S. State Department Tour in India. The soul of the play is unaltered but the piece is more current, more linear and more international. Success was performed in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderbad. 

Indeed, though the story is firmly planted in the context of American politics, we believe it will resonate with a modern Indian audience both on a basic human level and as a kind of societal question. How is success to be defined – not only by an individual, but by a nation? 

Finally, having used Skype to both cast and rehearse Delhi actress Kriti Pant before we arrived, we’ve not only enriched our experience in India, we’ve come to a new appreciation of how connected we are, and much we share in these questions and their answers. 

Reviews

"...the stage (was) beautifully utilised. ...the casting and performances were top-notch...a thought-provoking, avant-garde production."

"'Success' showcased consistent performances from the cast and redefined luck, hope, passion and ambition. It struck a chord with the part of us that constantly wants more and is one with the fast growing and power-hungry world of today. Especially since India has long since joined this rat race."

"All told, a brilliantly crafted and well-executed play that could prove the pièce de résistance of The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest."

"A strong performance from the cast, with Edward Morgan at the helm, went hand-in-hand with the sharp contours of the minimalist props on stage."

"The actors seated behind the acting area waiting to meet Rick, the continuous phone calls, the transitions between meetings where Rick finds his personal life crumbling about him, all added to the edginess of the play. A feeling of claustrophobia was successfully conveyed ...very smoothly done."

– Guest Reviews, The Hindu Metro Plus

On Theatre MXT

Theatre MXT is a new company. John Kishline and Deborah Clifton were members of Theatre X, an award-winning experimental theatre ensemble that gained international attention for it’s original plays and toured America, Europe and Asia. Edward Morgan is an award-winning director, playwright, actor and teacher who has worked across the USA and in Latin America.

Featuring: Deborah Clifton, John Kishline,

Edward Morgan & Kriti Pant

Costumes: Amy Horst

Lights: John Kishline

Set and Sound: Edward Morgan

Stage Management: Sam Kishline

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