Renegade Theater Company has tickled your funny bone, plucked your heart strings and made you tap your feet. Now we want to poke at your brain. We’re pleased to announce a new education wing with the types of training we think the Zenith City needs.

Introducing: The Renegade Center For Learnin’ Stuff!

Want to learn Improv comedy? How about how to write for stage and screen? Or maybe you have always wanted to try tap dancing. Well, we’ve got you covered. And then some. Join the group to make sure you stay up-to-date on all the great and budget-friendly classes we have to offer!

Improv classes have already begun, and are offered every Monday for just $5 at 7pm! Come down and learn from the players you see onstage every weekend!

And Amber Burns has planned a June full of dance and fitness classes that will whip you into shape and tune up your performance skills. Here’s a full schedule of those classes, as well as descriptions of what you’ll learn (click image to see full-size).

Now this is love.

Dear Blog Readers:

Soon we will have to say goodbye to Scott Mallace and Mae Martin as they head off to Los Angeles in pursuit of their dreams. Those jerks. We love them both very much, and Scott has been a vital part of Renegade’s success over the past several years.

We can’t even begin to express how much we will miss them both, and miss the talent and passion Scott has brought to so many of our most successful productions. And, since he’s leaving us, we thought we’d ask him some questions and give you his responses filter-free.

Because if you know Scott, you know he’s a man of strong convictions and beliefs, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. And we feel the least we can do – as a small thank you for all the years of hard work he’s given us for little pay – is to give him the space to do just that.

WARNING: The views expressed below are those of Mr. Mallace, and do not reflect those of Renegade Theater. Except the part about Katy and Andy being awesome.

R: How did you first get involved with Renegade? What made you come down and audition?

It's not real. But it is sweet.

SCOTT: Katy sent an email to Tom (Isbell – UMD professor), saying you needed actors for a sketch comedy show called Dink Tank. He told every acting student at UMD. Me, Brandon Roberts and Kathy Tingum showed up. Yeah … Renegade didn’t have the best reputation up at UMD before Katy.

You needed a guy that could play a young kid somewhat believably. The guys in the troop at that time where Jody Kujawa, Nate Carlblom, and Andy Bennett. Let’s just say I didn’t have to be very talented to get the job as a young kid in a cast of those three fellas.

I came down and auditioned cuz for two years I had been taught how to act, but hadn’t been given any  time on stage to put it into practice. Me and UMD had a love, hate, hate relationship. They loved my money, but hated to cast me, so I hated them.

R: How many shows have you done here? Any favorite shows or experiences?

Click to see the full version without Scott's head cut off.

SCOTT: I have done 6 i think. And a shit ton of Improv shows. They all have been great in their own way. Fuck, I got to do a musical with you guys! That was sweet, cuz I cant sing OR dance.

Scott, Diener and a pig. Plus somebody's shadow.

The Sparrow was a humbling experience. I had been playing bigger roles for a while and it was nice to take a supporting role and really use what I had learned to do that whole, “There are no small parts, just small actors” thing or however it goes.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore was great because I got to be what every kid dreams of. I was an action star, shooting guns, being bad ass, kissing girls and getting my head blown off. “I had an AWESOME TIME” (said like Will Ferrell in Old School.)

Scott and Kyle, who never complained about being upside-down. Not once.

Then there is The Pillowman. Holy shit is all I can say.

None of you know what I’m talking about because only like 12 people ever saw the show. But man, it was, I believe, the show that made me the actor I am today – which is Joey in A Steady Rain.

Scott and a grizzly bear that sorta looks like Andy

By the way, there’s only one weekend of A Steady Rain left, don’t miss it like you missed The Pillowman. Or miss it, go try to see A Chorus line instead. Tell me how that works out for you.

I’m kidding, of course you should go see A Chorus Line. I’m just saying, Chorus Line’s been sold out for like four years already and we only have 3 shows left. So come see A Steady Rain first.

R: Why the hell are you leaving us?

SCOTT: L.A.’s where the money is. I hate to say it that way because it sounds like I’m a fucking sell out, which I hate more than anything. But seriously, I want to make money doing what I love. And Hollywood is the biggest stage to show your work to the most people.

Scott + 3 other very talented people

I have always tried to do theater that I believe in, that effects people. I want to do that on a bigger scale. Get paid to do it. And then come back to the Midwest. Give shit tons of money to Renegade to keep up what they are doing. And then start my own theater company somewhere, connecting it to Renegade as like a sister theater. Because my mission statement would be the same.

Scott demonstrating proper rigging technique

(Btw do you guys have a mission statement? And if so wanna insert it here like I wrote it? I don’t know exactly what it is because I don’t read all that well but I’m pretty sure I have heard it before, and believe it 110 percent.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Told you we were posting his comments unedited.

R: What are your plans for LA? Theater? Film? Porn? All of the above?

SCOTT: No porn for this guy. I’m pretty talented for an averaged sized guy, but my talent isn’t THAT big … if you catch my meaning.

I'm Coach. I'm kick-ass!

Film or TV is what I’m really going for. But theater is where my heart is, so I don’t think I will be able to say no to an opportunity to jump on stage. Plus theater could be a great stepping stone to getting into TV and Film.

The Three Bears

All of which means I’ll be a bartender, slowly spiral out of control because of my lack of a creative outlet and end up in rehab somewhere, prolly in the Midwest. So I’ll see you in a few years.

R: If you could tell the theater community in this town one thing before leaving, what would it be?

SCOTT: Stop congratulating each other on “fuck up” shows. Call it as you see it and maybe – just maybe – people will better themselves. Which, in turn, will make the theater in Duluth better.

One who is staying, one who is leaving, and one who is already gone. This has to stop happening.

We have lots going on in this town, which is great, but quantity is not better than quality. Hold yourself accountable for the standards you wish to be judged by.

Two artists who love and respect each other a great deal. And a cool little hat.

R: Who do you like better: Katy or Andy?

SCOTT: Dunk. Suck it, you two.

I’m just kidding, I love you both deeply. You have believed in me and my talents from day one and given me so many chances to grace your stage.

It has been an honor to work with the Renegade and I wouldn’t change anything we have done together.

No, Bear. The honor has been all ours. We love you and we will miss you both.

We’d say good luck. But neither of you need it.

Our Northland premiere of “A Steady Rain” has been an incredible success. For proof, check out THIS REVIEW in the Duluth News Tribune or THIS REVIEW from Oeuvre Magazine. Or better yet, come down to the Teatro Zuccone this Thursday, Friday or Saturday and see what all the fuss is about.

We’ve been so thrilled at the full houses and standing ovations this thrilling production has received, and are so happy and proud to live in a community that comes out in force to support this type of bold, new and unconventional show.

Here are a few production photos and interviews with the cast and crew to tide you over until showtime. Oh, and whenever you’re ready, GET YOUR TICKETS, before they – and this incredible show – are gone.

INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT MALLACE (ACTOR) AND NICK VIOLANTE (DIRECTOR)

INTERVIEW WITH ZACH STOFER (ACTOR) AND ANDY BENNETT (LIGHTING DESIGNER)

The Duluth News Tribune reviewed our opening night performance of the Northland premiere of “A Steady Rain.” Read on to discover all the reasons this show isn’t to be missed, and then call 218-336-1414 or visit www.teatrozuccone.com and get your tickets now – before they’re all gone!

REPRINTED FROM THE DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

Forceful acting brings ‘A Steady Rain’ to life

By Paul Brissett

“A Steady Rain” is a love story — a raw, harsh love story. It’s about a man’s love for his family, two lifelong friends’ love for each other, and another man’s love for his best friend’s wife and life.

Performed by two first-rate actors from a superb script, as it was Thursday at Renegade Theater Company, it’s also mesmerizing.

It’s impossible to not relate to Denny (Zachary Stofer) and Joey (Scott Mallace) as they recount the events in their lives as friends and Chicago Police patrol partners that lead to the play’s tragic conclusion.

Keith Huff’s script is impeccable. Every word counts. He has stripped it down to the essential details, related in the blunt language of men who see the worst side of life in a big city. He leaves the emotions to the actors.

And they deliver, with stunning impact.

Stofer’s Denny is the loving husband and father of two little boys. He’s also a racist, shakes down hookers for kickbacks and, when the stresses of his life become unbearable, takes to using the drugs he has confiscated. The complexity and conflicts of his attitudes and behavior are as elaborate as any Tony Soprano ever took to his shrink. His rationalizations are well-articulated. In return for the kickbacks from hookers, he keeps the pimps from enslaving them. “We’re a community. I take care of them and they take care of me.”

Mallace’s Joey is single, more pliant, but had begun to drink heavily after the two were passed over for promotion, drying out only when Denny had taken him in hand. Grateful even beyond their lifelong friendship for Denny’s rescue of him, Joey tries to tame some of Denny’s habits, such as racist remarks, which he sees as part of the reason they were passed over.

The play consists mostly of the two seated at either end of a lunchroom-type table, Mallace’s slumping, slouching Joey contrasted with Stofer’s ramrod rigidity.

It could be deadly, but Stofer and Mallace, under the direction of first-timer Nick Violante, have created such credible and complex characters that their stories hold the same fascination as would those of a visitor in your living room.

They start by relating how a bullet shattered the front window of Denny’s home when Joey was visiting, a shard of glass slashing the carotid artery of Denny’s 2-year-old son. As Denny races him to the hospital, he collides with the ambulance on its way to their house, injuring three.

Convinced the shot was fired by, or at the behest of, a pimp he had beaten up, Denny becomes obsessed with finding the car he saw leaving the scene.

Gripped by his obsession, Denny pressures Joey into sloughing off an incident in which they return a naked Vietnamese teenage boy to the man who claims he’s the uncle and that the boy is suffering from post-traumatic stress. It later turns out the “uncle” is a serial killer and possible cannibal.

As Denny deteriorates, Joey and Denny’s wife are drawn together out of concern for Denny and their own needs for strength and comfort. It’s only at this point that Joey recognizes that he’s long been in love with his best friend’s spouse.

Huff is not judgmental, nor are Violante or the actors. These, they seem to say, are the things people do for love.

Paul Brissett is a Duluth writer and amateur actor.

THE REVIEW
What: Renegade Theater Company’s production of “A Steady Rain.”
Where: Teatro Zuccone, 222 E. Superior St.
When: 8 p.m. today, Saturday and April 12–21.
How much: $15
For information: (218) 336-1414 or teatrozuccone.com
The review: Raw and gripping.

Our Northland premiere production of Keith Huff’s A STEADY RAIN opens on April 12th. That’s less than two weeks away. And if you’re wondering just what the show’s about, we’ve got two videos to help you out with that. First up is the official show trailer which will shortly be all over local television and social networking. This trailer, as always, was created by Renegade’s videographer, Matt Helbacka. He also composed the song. We hate multi-talented people, because they make us feel bad about ourselves.

Below that is a short film created by the production’s director Nick Violante. There are a few clues and hints to the show’s plot dropped into that 2-minute short, so give it a watch or two and be a little bit better prepared for the twists and turns this noir thriller will be bringing beginning April 12th!

We like our blog readers. We like them a whole lot. So much, in fact, that we occasionally slip extra special deals onto our blog just for you guys.

This is one of those occasional times.

“A Steady Rain” opens on April 12th, and if you click the link below, you can buy tickets to see it for HALF PRICE. Let the deal buying commence!

“A STEADY RAIN” 50% OFF!

Our Northland premiere production of the noir thriller, “A Steady Rain” by Keith Huff, opens April 12th at the Teatro Zuccone. It’s a dark, brilliant play featuring a cast of two (two of the area’s finest talents, we might add – Zach Stofer and Scott Mallace) and we guarantee it’s a show unlike anything else you will see in town this season.

We gave our graphic designer – the genius Matt Olin – the task of designing an evocative poster that captures the gritty realism of the show while enticing audiences who know nothing about the twists and turns of this thriller, all while giving the details of who, what, when, where and sometimes why.

As always, he delivered. And then some. Check out the poster, below:

Renegade Theater Company has tickled your funny bone, plucked your heart strings and made you tap your feet. Now we want to poke at your brain. We’re pleased to announce a new education wing with the types of training we think the Zenith City needs.

Introducing: The Renegade Center For Learnin’ Stuff!

Want to learn Improv comedy? How about how to write for stage and screen? Or maybe you have always wanted to try tap dancing. Well, we’ve got you covered. And then some. Join the group to make sure you stay up-to-date on all the great and budget-friendly classes we have to offer!

Hey Blog Readers:

For the past several seasons we’ve done our best to keep our season under wraps until we make our big season announcement in the summer. But we’re bored of that. So this year, we’re doing it differently.

We’re announcing our six show mainstage season one show at a time. Which means you’re just going to have to keep an eye on this blog over the next few months as we slowly unveil the six shows we’ll be producing next year.

But that also means you get to know our very first show selection for our 2013 season TODAY! It’s a fantastic new musical that we completely adore and can’t wait to introduce to the Northland for the very first time.

It’s “BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON.” And if you don’t know anything about it, you’re about to.

One show down … 5 more to go. Keep checking the blog!

The first show of our 2012 season, SPRING AWAKENING is in the books. And thanks to you, it was a massive success in all the ways we can think of to measure success. And, since 2012 isn’t even 1/4 finished yet, it seems like the perfect time to look ahead to 2013, doesn’t it?

We think so, too.

We’ve begun the season selection process for our 2013 season, and we want your input! If you have a show you’d like the Renegade season selection committee to read and consider producing, DOWNLOAD THIS FORM and send it, along with a copy of the play, to:

Renegade Theater Company
ATTN: Season Selection
222 E. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802

If you don’t have a show in mind, we really hope you’ll take a few minutes and fill out our 2013 Season Selection Survey, below. We really value your input. You are the reason we are in business. You are the ones we want to entertain, inspire and move. So let us know what you want to see. We will take what you say to heart. Unless you suggest we do “Oklahoma.”