Renaissance Theaterworks Presents THE UNDERSTUDY

(Milwaukee) Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) presents the 2nd show of its 21^st season THE UNDERSTUDY a backstage comedy about artists pursuing what they love despite the odds against them.  A first professional directorial debut for Mallory Metoxen, featuring Cassandra Bissell, Philip Sletteland and Ken T. Williams. Opening night is Saturday, January 18^th at 8:00 pm.  Running January 17 through February 09, 2014 at the Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway, tickets can be purchased for $36 (fee & taxes not included) in person at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, by telephone at (414) 291-7800, or online at www.r-t-w.com.

THE UNDERSTUDY Synopsis
In this bitingly witty and entertaining comedy, the lights of Broadway cast an affectionate glow on one of the most notorious roles in the theater: the understudy.  The play opens with Franz Kafka’s undiscovered masterpiece making its Broadway premiere.  Roxanne, the stage manager, has the daunting task of running the understudy rehearsal.  Enter Harry, a journeyman actor who just happens to be Roxanne’s ex-fiancé.  And then there’s Jake, a Hollywood action star craving a little legitimacy.  Throw in a stoned light board operator and producers threatening to close the show and you have one very funny comedy.

“Bountiful laughs from a sumptuous display of strained nerves [The Understudy is] a scattershot backstage comedy by Theresa Rebeck.” – The New York Times

Mature subject matter and language.

Cast
Cassandra Bissell (Roxanne)
Philip Sletteland (Jake)
Ken Williams (Harry)

Production Team
Julie Swenson (Producer), Mallory Metoxen (Director), Suzan Fete (Artistic Director), Brandy Kline (Stage Manager), Corin Davidson (Asst. Stage Manager), Nathan Stuber (Scenic Design), Mac Vaughey (Light Design), Jason Orlenko (Costume Design), Sarah Ramos (Sound Design), Jan Kellogg (Light Design), Nikki Kulas (Props Design), Tony Lyons (Technical Director), Christopher Elst (Fight Choreographer), Laura Murphy (Choreographer), Deanie Vallone (Dramaturge), Darcy Devens (Backstage/Wardrobe), Kat Wodtke (Backstage), Tanya Dhein (Deck Chief).

Ticket Information
Tickets to THE UNDERSTUDY are $28 for previews and $36 for regular performances (taxes and fees not included).  Tickets are available through The Broadway Theatre Center box office by calling (414) 291-7800 or online at www.r-t-w.com.  All performances are at The Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway.  Monday, January 27, 2014, will be the Pay-What-You-Can performance at 7:30 p.m.  (Tickets for the January 27^th performance will be available at the door at 6:30 p.m. No phone-in orders or advanced sales will be accepted for the Pay-What-You-Can performance.)

The mission of Renaissance Theaterworks is to create moving theater that awakens our recognition of what it is to be human – from classics to world premieres – with attention to women’s roles onstage and off.  Founded in 1993, Renaissance Theaterworks is, presently, Milwaukee’s only women-founded and women-run theatre company.  Renaissance Theaterworks is a member of Theater Wisconsin and the Third Ward Arts District.  Renaissance Theaterworks receives support from the Wisconsin Arts Board, Milwaukee Arts Board, CAMPAC, United Performing Arts Fund, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Wisconsin Humanities Council and private donors and foundations. 

THE UNDERSTUDY FACT SHEET
Box Office: (414) 291-7800
Website: www.r-t-w.com

In this bitingly witty and entertaining comedy, the lights of Broadway cast an affectionate glow on one of the most notorious roles in the theater: the understudy.  The play opens with Franz Kafka’s undiscovered masterpiece making its Broadway premiere.  Roxanne, the stage manager, has the daunting task of running the understudy rehearsal.  Enter Harry, a journeyman actor who just happens to be Roxanne’s ex-fiancé.  And then there’s Jake, a Hollywood action star craving a little legitimacy.  Throw in a stoned light board operator and producers threatening to close the show and you have one very funny comedy.

Meet Anja Notanja Sieger 30 minutes before most shows.  She’ll be composing “custom prosettes,” Poetry and Letters for you on her typewriter as a part of our season’s Word Play activities. 

Jan. 17 – Feb. 09, 2014
Location: The Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway, Milw, WI
Playwright: Theresa Rebeck
Cast: Cassandra Bissell, Philip Sletteland and Ken T. Williams
Director: Mallory Metoxen

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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