Red Branch Theatre's THE LAST FIVE YEARS Begins Tonight

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will open its sixth mainstage season with The Last Five Years and john & jen in repertory billed under the series title "The Love/Loss Cycle." This is the first time that Red Branch will produce two shows in repertory since its inception in 2008.

The Love/Loss Cycle features both newcomers to the Red Branch stage as well as familiar faces. The Last Five Years stars Kurt Boehm as Jamie and Jennifer W. Culotta as Cathy. Mr. Boehm is new to the Red Branch stage, but has been seen throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan region at theatres such as Imagination Stage and Toby's Dinner Theater. He is currently featured in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Olney Theater Center. Ms. Culotta is a perennial favorite on the Red Branch stage, having previously been seen in [title of show], Next to Normal, and Into the Woods. john & jen stars Patrick J. Prebula as John and Danielle Sherry as Jen. Mr. Prebula most recently starred as Jon in the 2013 production of Tick, tick... BOOM! Ms. Sherry makes her Red Branch debut in john & jen. Stephanie Lynn Williams directs both productions while Tiffany Underwood Holmes provides music direction.

"We are excited to explore the depths, intricacies, challenges, and truths in the complicated relationships that are featured in both of the titles in the Love/Loss Cycle," shares director Stephanie Lynn Williams. She continues, "In addition, producing two shows in rep is a challenge that we have not faced up to this point, but an exciting one which we are ready to tackle."

The Last Five Years chronicles a five-year relationship between writer Jamie Wellerstein and actress Cathy Hiatt in a series of alternating musical soliloquies. Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order from the end of their relationship while Jamie's perspective alternates in forward motion from the beginning of their relationship. john & jen follows Jen Tracy through two parallel relationships (with brother John and son John) across four decades.

Red Branch Theatre Company will partner with HopeWorks of Howard County (formerly the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County) to promote healthy relationships over the course of the run of "The Love/Loss Cycle." HopeWorks will facilitate two post-show presentations entitled "About Love: A Conversation on Complicated Relationships" as an enhancement for Red Branch audiences. In addition to providing services for individuals in crisis, HopeWorks facilitates many free programs about love, loss and personal growth. HopeWorks' talk back will educate audiences and the community as to how the organization uses the creative arts to make hearts sing in response to the themes presented in The Love/Loss Cycle.

Red Branch Theatre Company is the professional theatre in residence at Drama Learning Center. Producing four to five shows a season, Red Branch's mission is to foster a love of theatre in its audiences that is life-long. Red Branch remains committed to providing professional theatre to the Baltimore/Washington corridor at affordable prices.

The Last Five Years and john & jen are presented with permission through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Cast

The Last Five Years

Jamie - Kurt Boehm*

Cathy - Jennifer W. Culotta

*Appearance courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

john & jen

John - Patrick J. Prebula

Jen - Danielle Sherry

Production Staff

Director - Stephanie Lynn Williams

Music Director - Tiffany Underwood Holmes

Production Manager - Cheryl Campo

Stage Managers - Caitlin I. Quinn, Ben Walsh

Lighting Designer - Jason Aufdem-Brinke

Costume Designer - Amy R. Weimer

Original Production Artwork - Danamarie Hosler

Performance Dates and Times

The Last Five Years: April 4-5, 11-12, 25-26 at 8 PM; April 13 & 19 at 3 PM

john & jen: April 18-19, May 1-3 at 8 PM; April 26-27 at 3 PM

Special Events

April 4: Last Five Years Opening Night Post-Show Reception

April 18: john & jen Opening Night Post-Show Reception

April 19: 5 PM -- About Love: A Conversation on Complicated Relationships -- moderated by HopeWorks of Howard County

April 19 & 26: The Love/Loss Cycle Marathon - experience both parts of the Love/Loss Cycle back to back on the same day

April 27: 5 PM -- About Love: A Conversation on Complicated Relationships -- moderated by HopeWorks of Howard County

Ongoing: Patrons who bring a donation for the HopeWorks pantry to the box office during the run of The Love/Loss Cycle will receive a complimentary concessions voucher.

Ongoing: Wine and beer will be available for purchase at Friday and Saturday evening performances.

Individual tickets available for purchase online at www.redbranchtheatrecompany.com or by calling the box office at (410) 997-9352 on March 1, 2014. Prices: $18*/$20 in advance for single tickets; $22 at the door; $36 for The Love/Loss Marathon Package (tickets to performances of The Last Five Years and john & jen on April 19) *Students & Seniors. All performances run at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045.