PRESS CONTACT: CYNTHIA FLEMING | 801.363.7522 |
October 16, 2014
For Immediate Release
Salt Lake Acting Company presents RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN by Gina Gionfriddo from October 22 through November 16.
"That guy who comes in and saves the girl in the end? He might not be coming. But the girl is still going to be O.K."
-Avery, RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN
Salt Lake Acting Company is thrilled to present the second production in our 44th season, RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN a Pulitzer Prize Finalist by Obie-Award Winning Playwright Gina Gionfriddo, from October 22 through November 16, 2014. Hailed by the New York Times as "Intensely smart, and immensely funny," this sharp witted comedy takes an unflinching look at the politics of gender, and asks can anyone have it all?
After graduate school, Catherine built a career as a rock star academic, while Gwen built a home with her husband and children. Now in her early 40's Catherine moves back home to take care of her ailing mother, and reconnects with Gwen; who is married to Catherine's college boyfriend. While these three friends begin to discover their new relationships with each other, they start to question their life decisions. With discussions of Betty Friedan, Phyllis Schlafly, Pornography and slasher films, RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN looks at cross-generational feminism in an incredibly insightful, relevant way.
Director Adrianne Moore describes the play as, "Fascinating - one of the most insightful and purely delightful plays I have worked on. A tri – generational look at gender politics, the changing face of feminism and the all too human problem of agonizing over whether you made the right life choices – way back when. For these characters the grass is looking awfully green—is it too late for a do over? I'm eager to see the audience response to this play that has provoked such strong feelings and opinions amongst the cast and artistic team."
The five member cast includes Nell Gwynn, who was last seen on the SLAC stage in GOOD PEOPLE and THE EXIT INTERVIEW; Tracie Merrill-Wilson whose SLAC credits include the 2010 Fearless Fringe Festival as well as ICE GLEN; Jeanette Puhich, who graced the SLAC stage in THE WATER PROJECT, SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS, THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT MORGAN and 13 seasons of SATURAY'S VOYEUR; and Robert Scott Smith who was last seen at SLAC in GOOD PEOPLE and CHARM; and Stewart Fullerton who will be making her SLAC debut.
PARTNERSHIP
During the run of RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN Salt Lake Acting Company is elated to partner with Crossroads Urban Center an organization that helps low-income people in Salt Lake City. "We are delighted to be included in SLAC's upcoming production. Crossroads Urban Center operates one of Utah's busiest emergency food pantries," said Crossroads Executive Director Glenn Bailey. "We specialize in the needs of women and children, especially infants, so donations of baby formula are always much needed and greatly appreciated."
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Gina Gionfriddo
Gina Gionfriddo has received the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a Lucille Lortel Fellowship, and a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship. Her work includes AFTER ASHLEY, SAFE, TREPIDATION NATION, U.S. DRAG (published in "Women Playwrights: The Best Plays of 2002") and GUINEVERE. AFTER ASHLEY and U.S. DRAG are published by Dramatists Play Service, Inc..
DIRECTOR
ADRIANNE MOORE
ADRIANNE MOORE is delighted to be directing once again for the Salt Lake Acting Company. Previous directing credits for SLAC include 4000 MILES, HOW TO MAKE A ROPE SWING, CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, HOLD PLEASE, WATER IMAGES (part of THE WATER PROJECT), ANCIENT LIGHTS (New Play Sounding Series) and DO NOT HIT GOLF BALLS INTO MEXICO for SLAC's Fearless Fringe Festival. She has also served as dialect coach on numerous SLAC productions including GOOD PEOPLE, VENUS AND FUR, GRANT AND TWAIN, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, RED, ANGELS IN AMERICA, CHARM, THE CARETAKER, END DAYS, CLEAN HOUSE, and SKIN IN FLAMES. Other Utah directing credits include THE WOMAN IN BLACK, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, THE FOREIGNER, RELATIVE VALUES, THE RIVALS and SYLVIA (Old Lyric Repertory Company) THE MIKADO (Utah Festival Opera) TALKING WALES (Utah Contemporary Theatre) PETER PAN (The Egyptian Theatre Company) and MIASMA (Plan B Theatre.) A native of New Zealand, Adrianne worked as a director and actor in New Zealand, Australia and England before coming to the U.S. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Theatre Directing from the British Theatre Association in London, an M.F.A. in Directing from Florida State University and is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
CAST
STEWART FULLERTON (Avery)
Stewart Fullerton is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this sharp production. Stewart is a senior at the University of Utah, working towards her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre where she was last seen as Sabrina Daldry in IN THE NEXT ROOM or THE VIBRATOR PLAY. Favorite productions include THE WILD PARTY, GUYS AND DOLLS and DAMN YANKEES. This one is for mom, who taught Stewart not to curse at her elders.
NELL GWYNN* (Gwen)
Nell Gwynn is very happy to be back at SLAC this fall, after last year's run as Margie in GOOD PEOPLE. Other SLAC credits include; Eunice in THE EXIT INTERVIEW, Veronica Novak in GOD OF CARNAGE, Ann/Emily Gilles in THE PERSION QUARTER, and The Angel and others in ANGELS IN AMERICA. Favorite NYC credits include: David Johnston's THE ORESTEIA, and CANDY AND DOROTHY, (GLAAD New Media Award Winner), Tom Rowan's KISS & CRY ( GLAAD New Media Award Nominee, Innovative Theatre Award Nomination- Best Supporting Actress ), COUSELLOR AT LAW (Lortel Award Winner- Best Revival, Obie Award Winner- Director Dan Wackerman), Robyn Burland's PIECEWORK " and Charles Mee's BIG LOVE at Theatre for A New City, among others. Shakespeare credits include: Adriana in COMEDY OF ERRORS, Regan in KING LEAR, Celia in AS YOU LIKE IT, Mistress Ford in MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Maria in TWELFTH NIGHT, Lady Macbeth, Horatio in HAMLET and Portia in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. She can currently be seen in film festivals around the country in the short film, "Monsura Is Waiting", which received the Best Fantasy Film Award at The Mexico Int'l Film Festival, as well as a Silver Remi Award at the Houston Int'l Film Fest. She'll appear in 2015 opposite Katherine Heigl as Darlene in the independent feature, "Your Right Mind". Nell is a proud Actor's Equity member, and is represented locally by TMG. Many thanks to Dan and Miss D, Cynthia and Keven, and all of YOU.
TRACIE MERRILL-WILSON* (Catherine)
Tracie is thrilled to return to SLAC to work with this amazing group of artists. SLAC credits include the 2010 Fearless Fringe Festival (SB DANCE'S YOGA CONFIDENTIAL and THE HARVEY GIRLS) as well as ICE GLEN. A transplant from back east, other favorite local and regional works include: RINGS (Grand Theatre), CHEAT, STOP & KISS (Pygmalion), LADY MACBETH, Di Esperienza, SLAM (Plan-B), DRACULA (PTC), THE RAINMAKER (Hale), METAMORPHOSES, AS YOU LIKE IT (Clarence Brown Theatre), LA BETE (Theater at Monmouth) and three Shakespeare tours. Tracie also takes great pride in being involved in readings to develop new plays. A proud member of AEA, she received her MFA from UT-Knoxville and a classical degree from Weber Douglas Academy in London. Endless love to Scott, both of their families, and huge thanks to her Dad for hours spent running lines.
JEANETTE PUHICH* (Alice)
Jeanette is excited to be on the boards at SLAC again! Her past SLAC credits include THE WATER PROJECT, SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS, THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT MORGAN, THE BEARD OF AVON, MERE MORTALS, NAPOLEON'S CHINA, GUNMETAL BLUES and CABBIES, COYBOYS, AND THE TREE OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN. She also played Haley Walker in the one woman show, BAD DATES. She also proudly played Roma Downey, Gayle Ruzika (or Godzika or Gadzicka , etc) Paula The Porn Czar and A ZCMI Manikin, to name a few, in 13 seasons of SATURDAY'S VOYEUR. Other Utah credits include; Dot in Last Lists of MY MAD MOTHER for Pygmalion Theatre Company; Yitzak in HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH for Plan B Theatre; Rosie in BYE BYE BIRDIE at The Grand Theatre; Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Institute of Terror and ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARDEN at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City. Jeanette is originally from Seattle Washington where she performed at Pioneer Square Theatre, The Group Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, Tacoma Actor's Guild and The Cabaret de Paris. Jeanette also works in the television, film and voice over industry. Some of her film and television credits include; Touched By An Angel, Promised Land, Everwood, Gentleman Broncos and Mobsters and Mormons. This December Jeanette will be seen in Plan B Theatre's production of Julie Jensen's CHRISTMAS WITH MISFITS. Jeanette holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from The University of Idaho.
ROBERT SCOTT SMITH* (Don)
Robert is the Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory. In September Flying Bobcat collaborated with the SLC Men's Choir to create LOST IN THE WOODS a theatrical concert at The Masonic Temple. This past May collaborated with choreographer Charlotte Boye-Christensen, NOW-ID and NYC Playwright Troy Deutsch to create FEAST a site-specific performance at The Great Saltair. As former Creative Director at The Leonardo he created the POPUP@LEO program. Co-created and performed in SENSES 5, LOVE, and MIND OVER MATTER. As a professional actor, his NYC credits include KEEPING ISHMAEL (Workshop); PERICLES (SLANT); and the co-development of Roger Benington's new work, MORMON BIRD PLAY. SLC acting credits include SHHH! BURLESQUE, PAINS OF YOUTH, AND SANTALAND DIARIES with Tooth and Nail Theatre; GOOD PEOPLE, CHARM (World Premiere), SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS, SIX YEARS, BIG LOVE, BATBOY: THE MUSICAL, and GROSS DECENCY with Salt Lake Acting Company; OUR TOWN with The Grand Theatre; and BASH with Plan-B. Film and TV credits: Wildlife, Blessing, Animae, Guiding Light. Print: The Unfortunate Moment of Misunderstanding (Jim Fiscus). Education: MFA Old Globe Theatre San Diego; BFA Actor Training Program University of Utah.
WHO:
Salt Lake Acting Company
WHAT:
RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN
By Gina Gionfriddo
WHEN:
October 22 through November 16, 2014
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Additional performances on Tuesday November 4 at 7:30 p.m. & Saturday November 15 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Salt Lake Acting Company
168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City
PRICE:
Single tickets range from $15 to $42, depending on the performance.
Student, Senior and 30 & Under discounts are available.
Discounts are also available for groups of ten or more.
MORE INFORMATION:
Box Office: 801-363-7522
Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Mon – Fri
www.saltlakeactingcompany.org
CAST:
Stewart Fullerton Avery
Nell Gwynn* Gwen
Tracie Merrill-Wilson* Catherine
Jeanette Puhich* Alice
Robert Scott-Smith* Don
ARTISTIC TEAM:
Director Adrianne Moore
Assistant Director Heidi Olsen
Set Design Keven Myhre
Costume Design Brenda Van Der Wiel
Lighting Design James M. Craig
Sound Design Shea Madson
Production Stage Manager Janice Jenson*
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
NOW PLAYING:
I'LL EAT YOU LAST: A CHAT WITH SUE MENGERS By John Logan
Running now through October 26, 2014.
SLAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 professional theatre founded in 1970 and is dedicated to producing, commissioning and developing new works and to supporting a community of professional artists. SLAC has been nationally recognized by the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Edgerton Foundation, among others. SLAC operates under a STP Actors Equity Association contract. SLAC is a Constituent Member of Theatre Communications Group, a national organization for non-profit professional regional theatres, and the National New Play Network.
