By: Jessi Hafer

Aithon Theatre is presenting just three performances of the play True West this weekend.

True West considers the duality of human personality through two brothers: a Hollywood screenwriter and a small-time criminal. Director Philip Bryan explained that while the dark comedy has intense undertones, there are also funnier moments. The play has particular significance for Bryan. "It was the first play I ever read," Bryan explained. "It really started my passion for dark comedies."

Aithon has demonstrated their aptitude for comedies through their production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor and their Rogue performances of The Complete History of America: Abridged, so it will be fun to see the company take their comedy in a different direction. Performances are being held at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium (Fresno, N, O, and Merced Streets downtown) on Friday, September 21 at 7:30 pm and on Saturday, September 22 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $10 for advanced/online purchases in general seating to $20 for premier seating purchased right before the show.

Buy your tickets online - not only will you save money, but you'll also be partnering with Aithon Theatre to support local, high school performing arts programs. When tickets for True West are ordered online through Aithon's link to BrownPaperTickets.com, Aithon is donating 50% of ticket sales to one of the following high schools (selected by the ticket purchaser with the following codes: Roosevelt (7667), Bullard (2855), Sunnyside (7866), Edison (3347), Hoover (4668) and University (8864). As director Phillip Bryan noted, this a great opportunity to help fund high school performing arts as well as help high school arts programs become involved in theatre opportunities outside of the schools themselves.

To purchase tickets online or for more information, visit www.aithontheatre.com.