01/10/2026
🚨Opens Next Friday!🚨
Brüka Theatre presents a compelling two person play which encapsulates the theme of friendship and survival during the AIDS epidemic.
BRÜKA THEATRE 33rd ANNIVERSARY SEASON WILD CARD
"LONELY PLANET"
A HEARTWARMING STORY OF FRIENDSHIP, LOVE & SURVIVAL
Written by Steven Dietz
Directed by Stacey Spain
January 16, 17, 21(A), 22, 23, 24, 28(OC)*, 29, 30, 31 @ 7:30 PM
SUN Matinees: January 18**, 25*** @ 2 PM
*Our Center Night - Preshow “Living Memory: An Intergenerational Conversation” A sixty Minute Conversation with hosted appetizers and drinks. Held at Bruka Studio 44.
** Post Show First Sunday Matinee - “Echoes of the Epidemic: Remembering and Reconnecting” Talk Back Panel Moderated by Dramaturg Dr. Allen Ratliff and Director Stacey Spain
*** Post Show Second Sunday Matinee - Production Elements Talkback with Cast/Crew/Company
TICKET PRICES
Senior/Student/Military $26 General Tickets $30
All Tickets $35 at the Door
A = Artist Night $17 All Tickets
OC = Our Center Night $22 All Tickets ($5 to Our Center)
*Followed by a talk-back with the company
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE ON: DECEMBER 8, 2025
LONELY PLANET ONLINE TICKET LINK: https://brukatheatre.simpletix.com/
January, 2026 The new year brings LONELY PLANET a play by Steven Dietz set in 1988 during the AIDS epidemic. The play explores themes of friendship, fear, mortality, and responsibility through their interactions, using maps as a metaphor for finding one's way. Directed by Stacey Spain, whose past credits include them as our Playwright in residence with The Kincaids, directing The Book Of Will and acting in The Beauty Queen of Lennane and Night Mother. Featuring the impeccable acting of Rod Hearn and Bradford Kai’ai’ai in this two-person show.
Running January 16 - January 31, 2026 in The Sub-Bruka Theatre at Bruka Theatre in downtown Reno.
LONELY PLANET is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
THE STORY: The plot revolves around Jody, a reserved map store owner who rarely leaves his shop, and his energetic friend Carl, who brings chairs into the store to symbolize friends lost to AIDS. The play explores themes of memory, truth, and friendship as the two men navigate their fears and the changing world. Lonely Planet premiered in 1993 at the height of the AIDS Epidemic.
OUTREACH INFORMATION: There will be a Pre Show Event at Our Center in Mid-Town: A Historical Context and Storytelling Workshop for LGBTQ+ elders, young q***r adults (ages 16–25). This storytelling circle opens the sharing of firsthand experiences of the AIDS era, activism, and community loss and resilience. This will be a guided dialogue facilitated by Dr. Allen Ratliff. January 8th 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm 1745 South Wells Avenue.
Our Center Out and About Performance will have a PRESHOW RECEPTION in Studio 44 at Bruka on Wednesday, January 28th at 6:00 pm. “Living Memory: An Intergenerational Conversation” A sixty Minute Conversation with hosted appetizers and drinks.
All Sunday matinees will feature post show talks. On the first Sunday matinee on January 18, Our Center will host a POSTSHOW AUDIENCE TALKBACK PANEL onstage at Bruka: “Echoes of the Epidemic: Remembering and Reconnecting” Immediately following select performance – Sunday, January 25 th moderating the panel are Director Stacey Spain and Dramaturg Dr. Allen Ratliff.
TICKET INFORMATION
Artist Night Tickets must be purchased in advance to receive a discount on our regularly priced tickets. Opening Night ticket holders are invited to a post-show reception and an opportunity to meet the artists. Our Center Night tickets include a $5 donation to Our Center. Ticket prices reflect some of the additional costs. Season Tickets are available online @ https://brukatheatre.simpletix.com/ (Under - Memberships) or call the box office at 775-323-3221 or email: [email protected]
ACCOMODATIONS: Brüka As the performances take place in our Sub-Bruka Space, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate your needs. We have special elevator access available as well as other provisions to make your visit comfortable. Contact the box office at 775-323-3221 or email: [email protected]
RESERVATIONS are available in person through the Brüka Box Office phone number (775) 323-3221, online at www.bruka.org, or at our new Brüka Studio 44 located next door to Bruka on First Street at 44 W. 1st St. Our in-person box office hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 5 - 7 PM. We are closed on most holidays. Our 2025/2026 Season Tickets are on sale beginning September 1, 2025. Individual tickets go on sale the Monday after the previous show closes. Check us out at www.bruka.org.
All Brüka mainstage evening shows begin at 7:30 PM. Matinees begin at 2:00 PM. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain time. There is NO late seating and all ticket sales are final.
PARKING
We suggest convenient parking in the Court Street parking lot across from The Pioneer Theater and walking across the new Virginia Street Bridge to Brüka, FREE after 5:00 PM and all day Saturday and Sundays. We also validate parking at the Parking Gallery on 1st and Sierra Street. The Downtown Ambassadors are present before and after performances for guidance and safety.
LOCATION Brüka Theatre is located at 99 N. Virginia Street at the corner of 1st and Virginia Streets in downtown Reno, next to the Virginia Street Bridge. Please let us know if you require ADA accommodations by calling us at (775)-323-3221 or emailing us at [email protected]
ABOUT BRÜKA THEATRE Brüka Theatre celebrates its 33rd season of live theatre in downtown Reno - Wild Card is the theme for the 2025/2026 season. As an artistic leader in the region, Brüka is recognized for innovative productions, exceptionally talented artists, and an acclaimed Theatre for Children touring series since its founding in 1992. Central to Brüka is the commitment to the re-investigation of contemporary and classic plays and developing new plays within Brüka’s Artistic Collective, a group that includes winners of the Nevada Arts Council and Sierra Arts Foundation artist grants and now TEN local best actor honors. Brüka was named “Best Theatre Company” by Reno News and Review for twenty-one years. Brüka is a non-equity, small, not-for-profit member theater company and is a constituent of the national TCG (Theatre Communications Group). Brüka Theatre has produced hundreds of live shows in our downtown Reno location. Sign up for our newsletter by going to our website at www.bruka.org.
ABOUT OUR CENTER:
The Our Center mission is to maintain a safe, empowering, and supportive center for the LGBTQ+ community and allies that addresses advocacy, education, and services. We seek to build, connect, and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through community building, arts and culture programming, and inclusive activities.
