THE EXPLOSIVE, KNIFE-EDGE DARK COMEDY BY PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT SAM SHEPARD OPENS MARCH 8
(Lanesboro, MN) The Commonweal Theatre Company is excited to announce the 2025 apprentice capstone production: True West by Sam Shepard.
There will be one preview performance on Friday, March 7, and the show will officially open on Saturday, March 8. The production runs through March 22. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit www.CommonwealTheatre.org or call (800) 657-7025.
True West examines the sibling rivalry of two estranged brothers, Austin (a screenwriter), and Lee (a petty thief), as they reconnect at their mother’s house while she is away. Conflict ensues between the two as Austin struggles to focus on writing his screenplay with Lee’s constant distraction. Tension builds between the brothers as they continue to clash and explodes after a life-changing meeting with a Hollywood producer. This dark comedy masterfully explores sibling rivalry, artistic passion, the American dream, and how people are more alike than they are different.
Director Cody Beyer says, “Put simply, I love this play. Sam Shepard was a master at using gritty and animalistic characters to reflect the hypocrisy within societal standards. True West is a story of belonging and finding the line between dreaming and making dreams a reality, and I’m so excited to work with the apprentice class to bring it to life.” Apprentice Bri Angle adds, “A big reason the apprentice company was drawn to this show is because of the relevance we feel this play has with our lives as young artists. Shapard uses a sizzling plot and wild characters to convey themes of artistry, ambition, and family in a unique and thought-provoking way.”
Since 2008, the Commonweal has offered exciting, demanding, and rewarding apprenticeships intended to help young theatre artists transition into the professional world. For eleven months, each apprentice is immersed in the workings of producing professional non-profit theatre.
The current apprentice class arrived in the spring of 2024 and had a variety of acting and technical roles throughout the Commonweal’s season. At the culmination of the apprenticeship, the class is given a budget to produce their own show. Not only does the apprentice company make up the entire cast of True West, but they also comprise the production, design, and administrative teams—mirroring the artist/administrator model of Commonweal’s resident ensemble.
Anya Golovko (Austin) is designing props and sound and serving as co-marketing director; Bri Angle (Producer/Mom) is acting as the company manager, co-marketing director, as well as lighting and costume designer; Dylan Delegardelle (Lee) is the scenic designer, technical director, and development director. The production team is also made up of Commonweal resident ensemble members Cody Beyer (director and fight choreographer), Lizzy Andretta (rehearsal stage manager), and Synth Manuel (performance stage manager).
Playwright Sam Shepard had a thriving career in both theatre and film. Most notably, he won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for his play Buried Child. He also starred in the 1985 film adaptation of his play Fool for Love. True West premiered at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 1980. It has gone on to be produced at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and had two runs on Broadway in 2000 and 2018.
All performances of True West are at the Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Avenue N., in downtown Lanesboro, MN. Tickets are $20, with discounts available for students, season pass holders, and seniors. Please be advised that this production includes strong language.
For more information, visit www.CommonwealTheatre.org or contact the box office (800) 657-7025.
ABOUT THE COMMONWEAL THEATRE COMPANY
Since 1989, the professional artists of the Commonweal have brought to life soulful stories told with honesty and creativity. Located in the heart of southeast Minnesota’s bluff country, Lanesboro (pop. 720) is home to the company’s theatre in its historic downtown. Under the leadership of producing artistic director Hal Cropp, the company boasts a distinctive organizational model with resident ensemble members (who have come from all over the country to make their home in the area) fulfilling the day-to-day artistic and operational needs of the company as artist/administrators.
