This fall, Calhoun Upper School Theater celebrates two of Tom Stoppard's most exciting plays, Real Inspector Hound and Artist Descending a Staircase. 

In Real Inspector Hound, two theater critics named Moon and Birdboot are invited to review a mediocre murder-mystery play, set in an old-time country house. As the play progresses, the two critics start slowly and mysteriously becoming involved in the action of the play itself, causing a series of events that begin to parallel the events they are watching on stage.

In Artist Descending a Staircase, an artist dies by falling down a set of stairs. His two roommates try to piece together what happened from a recording of the death itself. What follows is a series of flashbacks, musings, discussions about art, and investigations as the two roommates recall their relationship with the artist, and among themselves. In classic Stoppard fashion, witty language and delicious characters combine with satire in these series of absurd, but almost-too-real theatrical explorations of the idea of the murder mystery.

The evening starts with the sharing of Artist Descending a Staircase, which is presented as a live radio play on stage. This will be performed by two casts on different nights. This is followed by Real Inspector Hound performed as a more traditional play, with the same cast every night.

Tickets: $5 suggested donation, to benefit the Arther Miller Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality theater education to public school students.

Reserve your tickets!

Performances

Thursday, December 7, 7pm
Friday, December 8, 7pm
Saturday, December 9, 2pm
Saturday, December 9, 7pm

Mary Lea Johnson 
Performing Arts Center
433 West End Ave
Wheelchair accessible

Opening Night Reception
5:30-6:30pm, 81st Street Commons

On December 7, join us for a pre-show reception in the 81st Street Commons. Hear from Jackie Martino, Director of Performing Arts, and Attilio Rigotti, Upper School Fall Production Director, while enjoying snacks and soft drinks.