Theatre Artists Studio Sgaes AZ Premiere of RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN, Now thru 2/1

Theatre Artists Studio presents the Arizona Premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's new play, Rapture, Blister, Burn, today, January 16 through February 1, 2015.

The New York Times calls Rapture Blister Burn, "Intensely smart and immensely funny." The artfully crafted show, which was the runner-up for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, weaves together controversial feminist theories through sharp, witty dialogue between three generations of women. From Phyllis Schlafly to Betty Freidan, the characters debate postmodern feminism over martinis as they muse about marriage, career, pornography and slasher films.

While Gionfriddo decries any conscious attempt to follow in feminist playwright Wendy Wasserstein's shoes, she has been universally hailed as "taking up where 'The Heidi Chronicles' left off." Like Wasserstein's Heidi, Gionfriddo's Catherine wrestles with the feminist drive for professional success while watching her chances of home and hearth fade from the picture. In an unexpected plot twist, Catherine attempts to remake her life and have it all. When life begins to unravel, college co-ed, Avery, points out that feminism has achieved little in the past 40 years, "You either have a career and wind up lonely and sad, or you have a family and wind up lonely and sad." Anything but despairing, the women in Rapture find unique ways of coping that unveil new possibilities and provide endless opportunities to embrace a new feminism; one that truly reflects the reality and grittiness of modern day life.

The Studio's production of Rapture is directed by veteran Valley director, Richard Hardt, a self-proclaimed feminist who says he was attracted to Rapture because he lived through much of the feminist movement in the 1960s. The son of a single mother whom he watched struggle to gain equal pay in the workplace, Hardt opines, "I grew up discussing these issues and I learned that respect goes way beyond opening doors for women. These are fundamental issues of equality." Hardt further explains his love of playwright Gionfriddo because she consistently writes about the choices we all have to make in life and the consequences that follow. "Life is all about choices," Hardt offers, "We constantly question ourselves; did we make the moral choice, the right choice. We wonder how our lives would have turned out differently had we gone down a different path. Rapture explores the possibility of doing just that."

Theatre Artists Studio presents Gina Gionfriddo's, Rapture, Blister, Burn from January 16 through February 1, 2015, at The Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Rd, #406, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

As an added bonus for Thursday night attendees, The Studio will present audience talkbacks with the cast and a panel of local feminists on January 22 and 29 immediately following the performances. In addition, members of women's groups are being offered tickets for only $10 each for the Thursday night shows, even if they are not attending as part of a group of 10 or more. Panelists for January 22 include local celebrity author and journalist Jana Bommersbach along with Athia Hardt and Paige Umberger. January 29 panelists include Hardt, Umberger and Janet Arnold, former head of the Arizona Jewish Theater Company.

Tickets are $20 for General Admission; $10 for Students 25 & Under and $15 for Groups of 10 or More, Seniors 65 & Over & Members of the Military (active or retired). For tickets, call the box office at 602-765-0120 or visit www.thestudiophx.org.

Mission Statement: The Studio was founded to create extraordinary theatre in a collaborative environment that engages audiences, educates our community and explores the capacity for creative expression in each and every individual.

About Theatre Artists Studio: A member organization of actors, playwrights, directors, producers and designers, The Studio provides a place for theatre artists to work at their craft in an atmosphere which fosters mutual growth and collaboration through Studio affiliation. The Studio provides interaction between its members and the community by providing an opportunity to produce innovative projects, mentor emerging talent and establish an educational resource to celebrate the power and imagination of theatre.