PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theatre group in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will perform “Crimes of the Heart” from Oct. 24 through Nov. 11. Show times will be 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Nov. 3, and 2 p.m. Sundays in the Paul Green Theatre, in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road.
Dysfunctional is the only word to describe the Magrath family, whose three sisters all must face individual and collective crises in the Southern comedy classic “Crimes of the Heart.”
Lenny is turning 30 and caring for dying Granddaddy; Meg is reeling from her failed singing career; and Babe, the youngest, forces a family reunion when she is bailed out of jail after shooting her husband.
PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theatre group in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will perform “Crimes of the Heart” from Oct. 24 through Nov. 11. Show times will be 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Nov. 3, and 2 p.m. Sundays in the Paul Green Theatre, in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road
Special events will include a free director’s talk at noon Oct. 17 in the theater, free post-show discussions on Oct. 31 and Nov. 4, and an all-access performance for those with special needs on Nov. 6. On Nov. 1, PlayMakers will participate in a national “Free Night of Theatre” in 70 cities across the United States. The membership organization Theatre Communications Group has promoted the event, which aims to attract new audiences to nonprofit theatres.
Locally, theatergoers who have never attended a PlayMakers production may reserve complimentary tickets to “Crimes of the Heart” on Nov. 1. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit FreeNightofTheater.net
Warm-hearted, irreverent and funny, “Crimes” was the first play to receive the Pulitzer Prize before heading to Broadway. The prize, in 1981, made playwright Beth Henley of Mississippi the first female playwright to receive the award in 23 years.
The same year, “Crimes” won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best new American play. It was also adapted as a 1986 movie starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange and Sissy Spacek.
“Crimes” is set in the kitchen of a venerable, early 20th-century house in small-town Mississippi, replete with family ghosts and secrets. PlayMakers will place audiences in the heart of the Magrath home on a Southern Gothic set overhung by Spanish moss.
“‘Crimes’ is a shockingly funny, surprisingly moving play that speaks in a bold, bittersweet and distinctly Southern voice,” said John Feltch, a PlayMakers company member who will direct the production. “It’s a joy to direct and will be a joy to see.”
Feltch directed “Stones in his Pockets” for PlayMakers last season. On stage for PlayMakers, he portrayed Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in “I Am My Own Wife” (2006), De Guiche in “Cyrano de Bergerac” (2006) and Diamond Louie in “The Front Page” (2005). He has acted on Broadway and was a company member at the Alley Theatre in Texas for 11 seasons. He has taught at Rice University, the University of Houston and Carolina.
The ensemble cast of six will include:
Janie Brookshire (Meg), a company member, portrays Juliet in this year’s season opener, “Romeo and Juliet.” Also for PlayMakers, she appeared in “The Illusion” (2007), “Cyrano de Bergerac” (2006) and “The Front Page” (2005). Brookshire also acted in the New York productions “Drums in the Night,” for Columbia University School of the Arts, and “Henry IV Parts 1 & 2” and “Richard II” for the Instant Shakespeare Co.
Annie Meisels (Chick) appeared off-Broadway in “Pera Pelas” at the McGinn Cazele Theatre, “Cannibals” for the Ensemble Studio Theatre and “My Mother’s a Baby Boy” for the Kraine Theatre. Her regional credits include “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.” She has appeared on TV shows including “Law and Order,” “The Education of Max Bickford” and “Through Thick and Thin.”
Wesley Schultz (Doc), a company member, portrays Benvolio in PlayMakers’ “Romeo and Juliet,” which runs through Sunday (Oct. 14). Also for PlayMakers, he appeared in “The Illusion” (2007), “Cyrano de Bergerac” (2006), “The Front Page” (2005) and other shows.
Lesley Shires (Babe) is a company member who performed in regional productions of “Chicago” and “Cats.” In New York, she worked as a print model and actor for Mattel, Fuse, Cosmopolitan and Canon and acted in productions of “Barefoot in the Park,” “How I Learned to Drive,” “The Rivals” and other shows.
Marshall Spann (Barnette), a company member, portrays Paris in PlayMakers’ current production, “Romeo and Juliet.” Also for PlayMakers, he appeared in “The Front Page” (2005) and “Cyrano de Bergerac” (2006).
Regan Thompson (Lenny) appeared off-Broadway in “Theophilus North” with the Keen Company and “I Vermin” with the NY International Fringe Festival. She also has acted in regional theatres including the Tennessee Repertory Company and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
The production team will include Jan Chambers (sets and costumes), M.L. Geiger (lighting) and Michèl Marrano (sound).
Audience members may purchase tickets, $10 to $40, by calling (919) 962-PLAY, clicking to www.playmakersrep.org or visiting the Paul Green Theatre Box Office, open from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays and two hours before curtain on performance days.
For more information about PlayMakers, the 2007-2008 main-stage season and the PRC² second-stage series, visit www.playmakersrep.org.
Based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers is the Carolinas’ premier resident professional theatre company. The Drama League recently named PlayMakers one of the “best regional theatre companies in America.”
Coverage note: Media are welcome to cover the set and production preview with director John Feltch at noon Oct. 17 in the Paul Green Theatre. Photography, videography, lights and flashes are not restricted. Call (919) 621-1230 for directions and additional assistance.
PlayMakers contact: Connie Mahan, (919) 428-1744, cmahan@email.unc.edu
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Dee Reid, (919) 843-6339 or deereid@unc.edu