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PlayMakers Repertory Company will present the world premiere of “Spring Training,” written and performed by international musical/spoken word ensemble Universes, April 24-28.

PlayMakers Repertory Company will present the world premiere of “Spring Training,” written and performed by international musical/spoken word ensemble Universes, April 24-28.

Universes uses “The Rite of Spring” as a springboard to deconstruct rites of passage. The group will bring their unique talents to an exploration of Stravinsky’s groundbreaking composition and create a daring 21st century soundtrack on ritual and revolution, breaking cultural barriers anew.

“Spring Training” was specially commissioned by PlayMakers and Carolina Performing Arts as part of the ongoing celebration of the 2013 centennial of “The Rite of Spring” at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The show will conclude the 2012-2013 season of PRC², the second-stage series that couples innovative, topical plays with engaging post-show discussions with the creative artists and other panelists.

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. on April 28 in the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Tickets are $15 to $40. For tickets to this show or for discounted rates for the 2013-2014 season (through May 1), visit www.playmakersrep.org or call (919) 962-PLAY (7529).

Universes is known for being eloquent, edgy and entertaining. The Los Angeles Times wrote of the New York-based ensemble, “These performers are fierce, funny and bitingly intelligent.” The BostonGlobe called Universes “a headlong explosion of poetry, percussion and multi-culti musical exploration that absolutely demands to be seen.”

The group recently was honored as one of five finalists for the first Kennedy Theater Prize, the new $100,000 theater award established in memory of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and his interest in American history. One of the theater’s most lucrative prizes, it was established in September by Kennedy’s sister Jean Kennedy Smith, with the assistance of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner.

PlayMakers is based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Drama League of New York has named PlayMakers one of the best regional theaters in America and INDY Week calls PlayMakers the best live theater company in the Triangle.

Website: www.universesonstage.com/

PlayMakers contact: For press information, interviews, photos or poster art, contact Connie Mahan, (919) 962-5359, cmahan@email.unc.edu.

College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, spurrk@email.unc.edu

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