A philosopher once called theater “the mask of convention over the face of society in the mirror of the unknown reflecting the rear-view of the sports car of destiny.” Simplify this theory with today’s theatrical Groupon: for $80, you get a Flex Pass for the 2011–12 season of the Actors Theatre (a $160 value). Each pass grants four admissions to be used in any combination for any production, excluding Saturday performances.

The trained thespians at the Actors Theatre stoke cultural conversation through innovative and risk-taking theatrical programming. The theater’s 2011–12 season features six critically-acclaimed works, including Donald Margulies’ Tony-nominated Time Stands Still, where a photojournalist and foreign correspondent seek happiness through adventure and trials. The season also includes last year's off-Broadway hit about unconditional love and faith, Next Fall, as well as the darkly comic Dead Man's Cell Phone, by celebrated scribe and MacArthur Fellow Sarah Ruhl. A full listing of shows can be viewed online.

The theatre's array of enunciating artists will sashay and monologize across the Herberger Theater's 35-ft. x 24-ft. stage, evocatively emoting each night to its 300-seat audience. Unless they indicate a preference for mezzanine and balcony seating, Flex Pass patrons are typically seated in the best available seats in the orchestra. Nestled in downtown Phoenix, the Actors Theatre is located near the CityScape complex, where audience members can mime key plot points from the show in exchange for dinner.

Though Actors Theatre periodically offers discounts to individual shows, this deal still represents the best offer available.