Infamous Commonwealth Theatre calls it quits

Billy Fenderson and Stephen Dunn in Fifth of July at Infamous Commonwealth Theatre

Photo: courtesy of Infamous Commonwealth Theatre

After nine seasons as an itinerant, non-Equity producing company, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre has ceased operations. Infamous Commonwealth mounted 27 productions since its founding in 2002, perhaps most notably a 2005 production of Robert Schenkkan's six-hour epic The Kentucky Cycle that won Jeff Awards for best production, best ensemble, best direction for the team of Jason Kae and Genevieve Thompson, and best supporting actor for Rian Jairell.

"For nine years, our dedicated ensemble members have been working on a strictly volunteer basis," said founding member Thompson in a statement this morning announcing the company's end. "But, as we've all grown older, our priorities have had to shift. Many of us are unable to volunteer that much time to our company, much as we might want to, because we have important relationships to nurture; we have bigger bills to pay; and we have personal goals to reach. This shift in priorities has made it nearly impossible to keep up with the administration of running our beloved theatre company." Thompson's statement leaves the door open for regrouping "maybe a few years down the road," but for now it appears Infamous Commonwealth's production of Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July, which closed July 10, will be its last.