by Wallace Shawn
There is, perhaps, no piece of theatre that better reflects the present moment than The Designated Mourner , a fiercely political, deeply personal play concerning class, identity, culture, and enemies. This will be Catastrophic’s third production of Shawn’s masterwork, a late addition to our season as was our second in January 2017. The times called for it then, they cry for it now.
Through a series of monologues and short scenes, three characters walk us through a labyrinthine tale spanning the years before, during, and after a populist uprising in an unnamed country, now teetering on the edge of authoritarianism, whose government has targeted the cultural intelligentsia for imprisonment and execution. As the story unwinds, it plumbs the depths of love, contempt, privilege, enemies, beauty, envy, “the self,” and what, if anything, we are willing to sacrifice for the things we believe.Read more
THE CATASTROPHIC THEATRE
FREE BEER FRIDAY - Please join us after the show for complimentary beer and soft drinks with the cast and crew.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
$40 suggested
More if you have it.
Less if you don’t.
The Catastrophic Theatre is celebrating its 16th year as a Pay-What-You-Can theatre, ensuring the experience of live performance is available to every Houstonian.
Why do we do this?
Because we don’t believe the arts should be a luxury and we’re pretty sure you don’t either.
Today, less than half of Houstonians can afford to see a play. Really. The average price of a theatre ticket in Houston hovers around $55. For a single ticket. Over 39% of Houstonians live check-to-check. They work hard and still struggle to make basic ends meet. Another 14% live in poverty.
We believe everyone should have access to the theatre experience regardless of their financial status.
How does it work?
Pay-What-You-Can isn’t a discount program, it’s an honor system. It relies on you paying what you can truly afford, however much that is. Everyone’s financial situation is different. We rely on you to select the price point that reflects your own.
If you can afford to pay more, you make it possible for those that can’t—a radical act of kindness.
In other words, we don’t make it work. You do.
CATASTROPHIC THEATRE TICKET POLICY & INFORMATION
Please Read Carefully
TICKET INFORMATION
- GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
- Pay-What-You-Can
- $10 online minimum (+$5 service fee)
- $0 to $9 Available in person/at the box office
- The lowest price point online is $10 (plus the $5 fee), but our tickets are available at any price. If you can’t afford $10, we hold a limited number of tickets which you can reserve, in person only, beginning two hours before the performance at the MATCH box office (3400 Main St).
All tickets are subject to a $5 fee to cover costs of the MATCH box office. If you can’t afford the $5 fee, please visit the box office to reserve your tickets in person, let them know that, and Catastrophic will gladly pay the $5 fee instead.
- Wheelchair accessible seating is available.
- ALL SALES ARE FINAL: If you are unable to attend, we will gladly exchange your tickets for another performance or even another production. All exchanges are on a space-available basis. To reach the box office, call (713) 521-4533 or email boxoffice@matchouston.org.
SHOW INFORMATION
- Lobby and seating open 30 minutes prior to curtain time.
- SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES: Please arrive at the theatre at least 15-30 minutes before the performance. Tickets that are not picked up 5 minutes before show time will be released to the Standby/waiting list for sold out shows.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed on the premises.