Renaissance Theaterworks Presents BLACKBIRD And LOVE'S FIRE 1/15-2/7/2010

RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS' PROVOCATIVE PRODUCTION OF ‘BLACKBIRD' EXAMINES THE QUESTION "WHEN IS IT SEXUAL ASSAULT?" By David Harrower
January 15 - February 7, 2010
Studio Theatre, BroadwayTheatreCenter
Directed by Susan Fete

(Milwaukee) Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) continues its 2009-10 mainstage season with BLACKBIRD by David Harrower. RTW Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Susan Fete, will direct this play featuring Brian Mani and Carrie Coon. Running January 15 - February 7, 2010 at the Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway, tickets can be purchased for $32 in person at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, by telephone at (414) 291-7800, or online at www.r-t-w.com.

BLACKBIRD Synopsis
15 years after the tragic conclusion of their forbidden affair, Una unexpectedly appears in Ray's office. Terrified she will expose their secret, Ray is forced to confront the past. Together they reveal a dark, painful tale of desire and damage. Experience this haunting new work-a hit of the Edinburgh Festival and winner of the 2007 Olivier Award. This play contains mature subject matter.
Not a far cry from the Roman Polanski story, BLACKBIRD recounts the sexual encounter that middle-agEd Ray had with pre-adolescent Una. Although, the details of Harrower's fictitious story take a different spin. In BLACKBIRD, Ray went to prison for sexual assault.
It's an intense psychodrama that won't let your mind wander even though there are times this story makes you wish you could switch channels. -A Curtain Up Review

Outreach
RTW will collaborate with the AuroraSexualAssaultTreatmentCenter and The Healing Center to help provide the community important information about the play's sensitive themes of sexual abuse. RTW will host a post-show "Resource Sunday" on January 24, and post-show talk backs on January 28 and February 4.

Director's Bio
Susan Fete (director) co-founded Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) in 1993. She is a past president of the Board and currently serves as Co-Artistic Director. Susan has over 20 years experience as an actor, director, and producer in professional theater. Past directing projects for RTW include TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, SPINNING INTO BUTTER, ELEEMOSYNARY, DAYTRIPS and A DIFFERENT MOON. Last spring Susan directed RTW's production of Neil LaBute's FAT PIG. Susan lives in Wauwatosa with her husband Jeff and son Matthew.

Cast

Carrie Coon (Una) Carrie makes her debut in a full production at Renaissance Theaterworks after playing the title role in a reading of MISS JULIE, and Cherie in a reading of BUS STOP. Carrie has spent four seasons with American Players Theatre in Spring Green. Past favorite roles include Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Kate in HENRY IV, Miss Ogle in THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM, Hypatia in MISALLIANCE, Charlotte in NIGHT OF THE IGUANA and Ermengarde in THE MATCHMAKER. She recently appeared as Ariel in the world premiere of ReGina Taylor's MAGNOLIA at the Goodman Theatre. Other regional credits include BRONTE at Remy Bumppo in Chicago, and with the Madison Repertory Theatre, the title character in ANNA CHRISTIE, Emily in OUR TOWN and Miep Gies in THE DIARY OF Anne Frank.

Brian Mani (Ray) Brian returns to Renaissance Theaterworks after performing in last season's THE DIG and previously in BOSWELL'S DREAMS, MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS and COUNTING DAYS, all written by his wife, Marie Kohler. In 2010, Brian will be returning for his 12th season with American Players Theatre in Spring Green where he is a Company Member. Some recent roles with APT include David Bliss in HAY FEVER, Sartorious in WIDOWER'S HOUSES, Falstaff in HENRY IV: THE MAKING OF A KING and the title role in TIMON OF ATHENS. He has worked regularly with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre over the last 20 years and was featured in last season's THE SUM OF US.

Mary Caroline Tilton (Girl)

Production Team
Julie Swenson (Co-Producers), Brandy Kline (Stage Manager), Nathan Stuber (Set Design), Jason Fassl (Lighting Design), Holly Payne (Costume Design), Ernie Brusubardis (Sound Design), Emily Jaques (Prop Design).

Ticket Information
Tickets to THE SMELL OF THE KILL are $32 for all performances. 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, October 12, 2009 will be the Pay-What-You-Can performance at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets for the October 12 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.)

Presenting Sponsors: Northwestern Mutual Foundation, City of Milwaukee Arts Board,
Season Sponsors: Time Warner Cable, M & I Foundation, Wisconsin Energy Foundation, The Brico Fund, UPAF

The mission of Renaissance Theaterworks is to create moving theater that awakens our recognition of what it is to be human - from classic to world premieres - with attention to women's roles onstage and off. Founded in 1993, Renaissance Theaterworks is 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, private donors and foundations.