Theatre Bristol and River's Way Present "Aesop's Foibles"

Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, February 2024 – Theatre Bristol and River's Way join together to present "Aesop's Foibles" on March 16 at 10:30 am and 5:30 pm and March 17 at 2:30 pm at the ARTspace, 506 State Street. "Aesop's Foibles" is an original production by Dottie Havlik that features the gifts and talents of the River's Way youth and young adults with differing abilities and Theatre Bristol actors. Tickets are now on sale at www.TheatreBristol.org/tickets.

Dottie Havlik, who also directs this production, was most recently Theatre Bristol director of Theatre Bristol On Air productions, Real Heroes, Three Times Three, Miracle on 34th Street, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, The Adventures of Madeline and Charlotte's Web at Theatre Bristol, and is long-time actor in many shows including Fiddler on the Roof, Steel Magnolias, and The Music Man.

“We have 30 actors participating in the show, both veterans to the stage and some new faces,” said Havlik. “Since it's an original work, it's easy to incorporate all the little wacky ad libs and suggestions that people throw in during rehearsals. The creative input adds real personality to the show. We have such a good time that it hardly seems like work. But we adhere to real stage standards on production, so the young folks are all learning something as we go along. This is our seventh year, and I love these guys more each time!”

River's Way, led by Executive Director Tom Hanlon, is an organization dedicated to the positive and productive involvement of young people with differing abilities in our community.

"It is year seven of our collaboration with Theatre Bristol," said Hanlon. "The River's Way actors know what to expect and the excitement is building. Dottie Havlik pulls out all the stops in creating amusing scripts and we are grateful to her and to Theatre Bristol for providing us with another opportunity to showcase our acting skills. Audiences will truly enjoy this play!"

Theatre Bristol and River's Way thank the community for its support of this production, people with differing abilities, and the arts. Working together to create live performance, we develop stories and memories that entertain and foster connections in our community among people of all abilities.

"Aesop's Foibles" will have two showings on Saturday, March 16 at 10:30 am and 5:30 pm, and one showing on Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $5 and reservations made online (www.TheatreBristol.org/tickets) are encouraged as performances historically sell out. The box office opens 30 minutes prior to showtime. Seating is general admission and for any special accommodations, please call or email the Theatre. Show information is also available online at www.TheatreBristol.org or by calling the message line at 423-212-3625.

Theatre Bristol ARTScene is pleased to present Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve as part of its family-friendly 59th season of ARTspace and Paramount shows, including Aesop's Foibles, The Rainbow Fish, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Mockingbird Sings, Scrooge! The Musical, A Tuna Christmas, as well as the Catherine DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts and PLAYtime in the ARTspace.

Founded in 1993, River's Way provides opportunities for youth and young adults with differing abilities to grow as individuals while making positive contributions to their community. From its outdoor adventure roots to our focus on community betterment, River's Way has always promoted active lifestyles for people with differing abilities. Learn more at www.riversway.org

Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a community theatre serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Located on historic State Street in Bristol, it also serves southwest Virginia. Its Main Stage season consists of drama, comedy, and musical productions that take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120, and at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and invites volunteers to get involved.

For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or or email info@theatrebristol.org.