Friday, February 29, 2008

COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA’S S. EPATHA MERKERSON FEATURED IN THE NEWS

COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA’S
S. EPATHA MERKERSON
TO BE FEATURED ON “THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW” AND NY1

“S. Epatha Merkerson is just about perfect, radiating genuine warmth and generosity.”
-- Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press

S. Epatha Merkerson, currently featured in Manhattan Theatre Club’s critically acclaimed hit production of William Inge’s COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA will be featured this week on “The Tavis Smiley Show,” and NY1’s “On Stage.”

NY1 “ON STAGE”
S. Epatha Merkerson will be a featured guest on this weekend’s episode of “On Stage.” Merkerson recently sat down with Donna Karger to speak about the thrill of returning to the New York stage and appearing in the hit production of the Inge classic. “On Stage” airs Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30AM – 10:00AM, and again from 7:30PM – 8:00PM. It also airs Mondays from 9:30PM – 10:00PM, and that same night from 12:30AM– 1:00AM.

“THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW”
Merkerson will be featured on this weekend’s edition of “The Tavis Smiley Show,” airing locally on WNYC AM 820 on Friday at 9:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and Sunday at 2:00PM.

INFORMATION ON COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA
S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order, ”“Lackawanna Blues”) and Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee Kevin Anderson (Death of a Salesman, Orphans) head the cast of this new production which also includes Joseph Adams (“Dirty Sexy Money”), Chad Hoeppner (Butley), Daniel Damon Joyce (Broadway debut), Lyle Kanouse (Big River), Zoe Kazan (The Prime of Miss Jean Brody), Brian J. Smith (The Fabulous Life of a Size Zero), Keith Randolph Smith (Jitney), Brenda Wehle (Talking Heads) and Matthew J. Williamson (“Will & Grace”). The production is directed by two-time Emmy Awardâ winner Michael Pressman (“Law & Order,” To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday).

Lola (Merkerson) is a faded beauty queen trapped in a lonely marriage to Doc (Anderson), a recovering alcoholic on the brink of relapse. When a pretty young woman becomes a boarder in their cluttered Midwest home, their lives are unsettled as unspoken passions rise to the surface. As the emptiness of their marriage is laid bare, can they find their way back to each other or will they be undone? This new look at William Inge’s great American story is an absorbing tale of lost hopes and unfulfilled promise, told with unflinching honesty and heartbreaking power.

The creative team for the production includes: James Noone (scenic design), Jennifer von Mayrhauser (costume design), Jane Cox (lighting design), Obadiah Eaves (sound design), Peter Golub (original music), J. David Brimmer (fight director), and David Caparelliotis (casting).
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country’s most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes as well as numerous other awards. Renowned MTC productions include LoveMusik; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; Kimberly Akimbo; Love! Valour! Compassion!; Sylvia; Four Dogs and a Bone; Putting It Together; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain’t Misbehavin’.

In 2003, MTC reopened Broadway’s landmark, long-neglected Biltmore Theatre, following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, to the Biltmore, MTC’s operates two theatres at New York City Center, its Off-Broadway home since 1984.

During Meadow’s sabbatical this season, Daniel Sullivan, a close associate of MTC and director of several Manhattan Theatre Club productions (Rabbit Hole, Brooklyn Boy, Sight Unseen, Proof, Psychopathia Sexualis), is serving as Acting Artistic Director. Sullivan will continue consulting with Meadow and MTC's artistic staff on the planning of the 2007-2008 season. Meadow will return to MTC for the 2008-2009 season and will consult on the planning of that season.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets to COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, and at the Biltmore Theatre box office (261 West 47th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue). For group ticket information, call (800) 432-7780. Tickets range in price from $46.50-96.50. Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance at the Biltmore Theatre box office for $26.50.

For information on how to subscribe please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Through March 16: Tuesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.

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www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com

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