Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents SLOWGIRL by Greg Pierce
Milwaukee Premiere! February 24 – March 20, 2016
Milwaukee, WI … This winter, travel to Costa Rica with SLOWGIRL, February 24 – March 20, 2016. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre continues its 2015-2016 Season with the Milwaukee premiere of this thought-provoking new play by Greg Pierce, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and starring local favorites Peter Reeves and Sara Zientek. SLOWGIRL performs in the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
In SLOWGIRL, a teenager flees to her uncle’s jungle retreat in Costa Rica to avoid the results of a potentially fatal accident at a house party. As the reclusive uncle gets reacquainted with his impulsive niece, after a nine-year absence and a self-imposed exile, startling details about both of their pasts slowly unfold. Here is an edgy new work, from a strong, emerging playwright, about owning your past – and getting on with your life.
Peter Reeves returns to MCT after appearing in THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL (2010) and A WALK IN THE WOODS (2007). SLOWGIRL may be the last time Milwaukee audiences see Reeves on stage as he is moving to Pennsylvania later this spring. Milwaukee native Sara Zientek is appearing in her second show at MCT after MAURITIUS (2011), in which she appeared alongside SLOWGIRL Director C. Michael Wright.
Playwright Greg Pierce (nephew of actor David Hyde-Pierce) writes plays, fiction, and lyrics. He has a BA from Oberlin College and an MFA in creative writing from Warren Wilson College, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. SLOWGIRL made its world premiere in New York City as the inaugural play at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater (LCT3), and was subsequently produced by Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, among others. Pierce has also written lyrics for two musicals with composer John Kander THE LANDING and KID VICTORY.
CAST
Sterling: Peter Reeves
Becky: Sara Zientek
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director: C. Michael Wright
Scenic Designer: Keith Pitts
Costume Designer: Kimberly O’Callaghan
Lighting Designer: Charlie Cooper
Properties Designer: Melissa Centgraf
Sound Designer: Jeff Russell
Assistant Director: Alexander Coddington
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Wednesday, Feb. 24 – 7:30 pm, Pay What You Can
Thursday, Feb. 25 – 7:30 pm, Preview
Friday, Feb. 26 – 8:00 pm, Opening
Saturday, Feb. 27 – 4:00 pm
Saturday, Feb. 27 – 8:00 pm
Sunday, Feb. 28 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, March 2 – 7:30 pm, ViewPoints
Thursday, March 3 – 7:30 pm, Talkback
Friday, March 4 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 5 – 4:00 pm
Saturday, March 5 – 8:00 pm
Sunday, Mar. 6 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Mar. 9 – 1:00 pm, Talk Theatre
Thursday, Mar. 10 – 7:30 pm, Talkback
Friday, March 11 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 12 – 4:00 pm
Saturday, March 12 – 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 13 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Mar. 16 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, Mar. 17 – 7:30 pm, Talkback
Friday, March 18 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 19 – 4:00 pm
Saturday, March 19 – 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 20 – 2:00 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
–Pre-performance ViewPoints: Join us for an insightful pre-show presentation by a panel of education and child psychology professionals. This free, pre-show presentation is on Wednesday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.
–Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT Producing Artistic Director and SLOWGIRL Director C. Michael Wright will lead a lively and informative chat with Properties Designer Melissa Centgraf and Scenic & Properties Assistant Kayleigh Kitzman at 12:00 noon before the matinee on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.
–Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussion with the artists following performances on Thursday, March 3, Thursday, March 10, and Thursday, March 17.
SLOWGIRL performances will take place February 24 – March 20, 2016 (Opening Night: Friday, February 26) in the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Tickets are available Monday through Saturday from noon-6:00 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 N. Broadway, or by phone at (414) 291-7800. Tickets can be purchased online – 24 hours a day at milwaukeechambertheatre.com. Group, student and senior discounts are also available. Season tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (414) 276-8842. For more information, visit milwaukeechambertheatre.com. SLOWGIRL is co-sponsored by Keith & Paula Anderson and Jamshed & Deborah Patel.
BIOGRAPHIES
PETER REEVES – Sterling
Peter Reeves returns to MCT after appearing in THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL and A WALK IN THE WOODS. He is currently the communications director for Pius XI Catholic High School in Milwaukee. However, after SLOWGIRL closes he will be moving to Pennsylvania – so this may be his last appearance on stage in Milwaukee. He has appeared in numerous films and commercials and has performed with Next Act Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage, American Inside Theatre, Next Generation Theatre and Clavis Theatre Ensemble.
SARA ZIENTEK – Becky
Sara Zientek was last seen on the MCT stage as Jackie in MAURITIUS. She was an intern with First Stage and part of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater Emerging Professional Residency. She has also worked with InTandem Theatre, Splinter Group, Umbrella Group and Optimist Theatre. She has been a teacher for First Stage, Waukesha Civic Theatre and Next Act Theatre, and was also a part of an educational tour of ROMEO AND JULIET with Utah Shakespeare Festival. She received her BA in acting from UW-Milwaukee.
C. MICHAEL WRIGHT – Director, MCT Producing Artistic Director.
Since joining the MCT staff in 2005, Michael Wright has directed a long list of productions including THE TRAIN DRIVER, THE GOOD FATHER, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, HEROES, DRIVING MISS DAISY, THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL, PICNIC, RABBIT HOLE and A WALK IN THE WOODS, as well as three original works: OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, THE DALY NEWS and DICKENS IN AMERICA (which he also directed at American Players Theatre). Before MCT, he served as associate artistic director of Next Act Theatre for eight years. Since moving to Wisconsin in 1988, he has directed well over 75 productions including THE STORY OF MY LIFE for Milwaukee Opera Theatre, VISITING MR. GREEN for Next Act, THE SYRINGA TREE for American Players Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks and Delaware Theatre Company, LOBBY HERO for Madison Repertory Theatre and A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER for Next Act, Madison Rep and Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. Michael has been acting professionally for 39 years, having appeared in regional theatres all across the country, as well as in “MASTER HAROLD”…and the boys on Broadway, in Israel and in the national tour. His most recent performances have been as Serge in ‘ART’, Philip in MAURITIUS and Dr. Alfred Feldmann in DUET FOR ONE, all here at MCT. In 2009, Michael was honored with an “Artist of the Year” award by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.
MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) produces intimate and accessible theatrical works that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Managing Director Kirsten Mulvey, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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