TheatreWorks Presents OPUS 6/2-27

Forced to find a new member just days before an appearance at the White House, the artists of an internationally celebrated string quartet are caught in a crescendo of talent and personality in the regional premiere of Michael Hollinger's OPUS, presented by TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theater of the Silicon Valley. This intimate portrayal of the world of chamber music tells the story of the tightly wound artists of Lazara Quartet as they rapidly train a new member in anticipation of the greatest performance of their careers. Featuring Jackson Davis, Richard Frederick, Jennifer LeBlanc, Mark Anderson Phillips, and Kevin Rolston, with TheatreWorks' Director of New Works Meredith McDonough at the helm, OPUS plays June 2-27 (press opening June 5) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and information, the public may call 650-463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org. Contains mature language.

OPUS was given its world premiere at Philadelphia's Arden Theatre Company in January 2006, where it enjoyed an extended run. "Opus is an exceptional new play," commented The Philadelphia Weekly, "it's at once intelligent and simple, optimistic and observant." The Philadelphia Inquirer hailed the "intriguing Opus" as "an engrossing...handsome world premiere." It went on to a run at New York's Primary Stages, where it received three Lucille Lortel nominations. Christopher Isherwood of the New York Times lauded it as "an absorbing new play," with "a nuanced intelligence in its depiction of the complex relationship between musicians' lives and their art." Newsday called it, "a taut, smart, thoroughly entertaining drama," and the New York Post declared, "so entertaining and insightful that you'll never quite listen to a chamber music group the same way again." OPUS was awarded the American Theatre Critics Association New Play Citation and the Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play.

Violinist-turned-playwright Michael Hollinger returned to his favorite subject in this intriguing comedic drama, in which he explores the fine line between making art and living life. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Michael Hollinger is a classically trained musician who later became captivated by playwriting. He received his masters in theatre at Villanova University, where he is now an assistant professor. "As a musician," Hollinger says, "I tend to think of my plays as compositions: characters are instruments, scenes are movements; tempo, rhythm, and dynamics are critical..." In addition to seven full length plays and musicals, including A Wonderful Noise, Tooth and Claw, Red Herring, and others, Hollinger has written three short films and co-authored the feature-length Philadelphia Diary for PBS.

TheatreWorks has assembled an outstanding cast for OPUS, including returning favorites Jackson Davis (as Alan) and Mark Anderson Phillips (as Dorian). Mr. Davis has been seen at TheatreWorks in many leading roles, including She Loves Me, Talley's Folly, Living Out, Be Aggressive, and Theophilus North, as well as appearances at A.C.T., San Jose Repertory Theatre, SF Playhouse, Aurora Theatre, and other leading companies. Mr. Phillips is also a TheatreWorks regular, where he was been featured in Theophilus North, The Grapes of Wrath, Proof, Dolly West's Kitchen, and Arcadia, in addition to appearing at San Jose Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theatre, Magic Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, SF Playhouse, and others. Also returning to TheatreWorks is Richard Frederick (as Elliot) who appeared at TheatreWorks in Emma. Mr. Frederick has been seen locally with Central Works, Theatre First, American Musical Theatre of San Jose and 42nd Street Moon, and in productions at Ford's Theatre and other regional theatres. Making their TheatreWorks debuts are Kevin Rolston (as Carl) and Jennifer Le Blanc (as Grace). Mr. Rolston has appeared at Marin Theatre Company, Magic Theatre, A.C.T., and SF Mime Troupe, and Ms. Le Blanc has performed with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Marin Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Word for Word and Center REPertory Theatre.

TheatreWorks Director of New Works Meredith McDonough will helm her first production with the company in OPUS. McDonough has been actively developing new works for the past ten years at theatres including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Round House Theatre, The Public Theatre, LABryinth Theatre Company, Ars Nova, Women's Project and Productions, New Georges, and the Drama League. She spent two years as the New Works Program Director at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and three seasons as a resident director at Actors Theatre of Louisville, famed for its annual Humana Festival of New American Plays. She has directed over twenty world premiere plays and musicals.

OPUS is the final production in TheatreWorks' 40th anniversary season. With over 8,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast from across the country. Last fall, TheatreWorks celebrated the arrival on Broadway of the hit musical Memphis (developed at TheatreWorks New Works Festival and presented on its Main Stage). The company's 41st season will begin in July with the world premiere of Laura Schellhardt's AUCTIONING THE AINSLEYS as the center piece of TheatreWorks' celebrated annual New Works Festival.

TICKETS: Previews: $27 (students) - $39, regular performances: $29 (students) - $62
Discounts available for students, seniors, educators, and members.
A $2 convenience fee will be assessed for online and telephone orders.

INFO: For information or to order tickets call (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org.