Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Presents THE GOOD FATHER, Now thru 10/12

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) presents the Midwest premiere of THE GOOD FATHER by Christian O'Reilly. This contemporary Irish love story features local artists - and real-life married couple - Laura Gray and Jonathan Wainwright. THE GOOD FATHER performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. The show runs today, September 17 - October 12, 2014.

This gritty romantic drama is set in Dublin and tracks a year in the lives of two people from vastly different backgrounds. Tim, a house painter, and Jane, a lawyer, meet at a raucous New Year's Eve party, never imagining how much their lives are about to change.

MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright directs MCT favorites (and married couple) Laura Gray and Jonathan Wainwright in the Midwest premiere of this new play by Irish playwright Christian O'Reilly. Laura Gray returns to MCT after performing in CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL and TALLEY'S FOLLY. Jonathan Wainwright's past MCT appearances include BROKEN AND ENTERED, CRIMES OF THE HEART, MAURITIUS and TAKE ME OUT.

THE GOOD FATHER premiered at the Druid Theatre Company in 2002 as part of the 25th Annual Galway Arts Festival in Ireland. The play was O'Reilly's first full-length work and was the joint winner of the 2002 Stuart Parker Trust New Playwright Bursary. In 2003 the play toured throughout Ireland and in 2006 it was published in The Tiger in Winter- Six Contemporary Irish Plays.

A playwright and screenwriter, Christian O'Reilly is based in Galway, Ireland. Earlier this year, his newest play CHAPATTI made its world premiere at Chicago's Northlight Theatre staring John Mahony. His other plays include IT JUST CAME OUT, IS THIS ABOUT SEX?, HERE WE ARE AGAIN STILL and SANCTUARY. His television credits include writing episodes of the BBC dramas Doctors, Casualty and Holby City. He also wrote the screenplay for Inside I'm Dancing (2004), a feature film based on his original story, which was released in the US as Rory O'Shea Was Here.

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director: C. Michael Wright

Scenic Designer: Stephen Hudson-Mairet

Costume Designer: Andrea Bouck

Lighting Designer: David Gipson

Properties Master: Nikki Kulas

Sound Designer: Jeff Russell

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Wednesday, Sept. 17 - 7:30 p.m., PWYC

Thursday, Sept. 18 -7:30 p.m., Preview

Friday, Sept. 19 - 8:00 p.m., Opening

Saturday, Sept. 20 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 20 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 21 - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24 - 7:30 p.m., ViewPoints

Thursday, Sept. 25 - 7:30 p.m., Talkback

Friday, Sept. 26 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 28 - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m., Talk Theatre

Thursday, Oct. 2 - 7:30 p.m., Talkback

Friday, Oct. 3 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 5 - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9 - 7:30 p.m., Talkback

Friday, Oct. 10 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 12 - 2:00 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS

--Pre-performance ViewPoints: a free, pre-show presentation on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.

--Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT Producing Artistic Director and THE GOOD FATHER Director C. Michael Wright will lead a lively and informative chat with Scenic Designer Stephen Hudson-Mairet and his design assistant Marquette University student Katherine Shanahan beginning at 12:00 noon before the matinee on Wednesday, October 1 in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.

--Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussion with the director and cast following performances on Thursday, September 25, Thursday, October 2 and Thursday, October 9.

-- Ian Gould Concert: A free concert by Irish musician Ian Gould on Saturday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m.

THE GOOD FATHER performances are September 17 - October 12, 2014 (Opening Night: Friday, September 19) in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Tickets are available Monday through Saturday from noon-6:00 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 N. Broadway, or by phone at (414) 291-7800. Tickets can be purchased online - 24 hours a day at milwaukeechambertheatre.com. Group, student and senior discounts are also available. Season ticket packages are still available and can be purchased by calling (414) 276-8842. For more information, visit milwaukeechambertheatre.com. THE GOOD FATHER is co-sponsored by the Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation, Inc. and the Sheldon and Marianne Lubar Charitable Fund.

BIOGRAPHIES

LAURA GRAY - Jane

Laura Gray returns to MCT after appearing in CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL and TALLEY'S FOLLY. Since coming to Milwaukee 15 years ago, she has worked at Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theaterworks, In Tandem Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare and First Stage, among others. For the last five years, she has served on the theatre faculty at Carroll University and she is working with her husband, Jonathan Wainwright, in this production.

JONATHAN WAINWRIGHT- Tim

Jonathan Wainwright's past MCT productions include the world premiere of BROKEN AND ENTERED, CRIMES OF THE HEART, MAURITIUS and TAKE ME OUT. Other appearances include THE EXONERATED, COYOTE ON A FENCE, SIDEMAN and GRACE at Next Act Theatre, OTHELLO and A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and productions at Door Shakespeare and Bialystock & Bloom. He is sharing the stage with his wife, Laura Gray, in THE GOOD FATHER.

C. MICHAEL WRIGHT - Director, MCT Producing Artistic Director

Since joining the MCT staff in 2005, C. Michael Wright has directed LEND ME A TENOR, UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, COLLECTED STORIES, HEROES, DRIVING MISS DAISY, THE LION IN WINTER, THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL, PICNIC, BROOKLYN BOY, RABBIT HOLE, TALLEY'S FOLLY, TRYING, TALKING HEADS, A WALK IN THE WOODS and JOE EGG, as well as three original works: OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, THE DALY NEWS and DICKENS IN AMERICA (which he also directed at American Players Theatre). Before MCT, he served as associate artistic director of Next Act Theatre for eight years. Since moving to Wisconsin in 1988, Wright has directed well over 75 productions. Highlights include STONES IN HIS POCKETS for Next Act, THE SYRINGA TREE for American Players Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks and Delaware Theatre Company, LOBBY HERO for Madison Repertory Theatre, 110 IN THE SHADE for Skylight Music Theatre and A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER for Next Act, Madison Rep and Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. He has been acting professionally for 37 years, having appeared in regional theatres all across the country, as well as in Athol Fugard's "MASTER HAROLD"...and the boys on Broadway, in Israel and in the national tour. His most recent performances have been as Serge in 'ART', Philip in MAURITIUS and Dr. Alfred Feldmann in DUET FOR ONE, all at MCT. In 2009, he was honored with an "Artist of the Year" award by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE - Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2014-2015. MCT produces intimate and accessible theatrical works that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Managing Director Kirsten Mulvey, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Pictured: Jonathan Wainwright and Laura Gray. Photo by John Nienhuis.