Everyman Theatre to Present CRIMES OF THE HEART, 1/8-2/2

Everyman Theatre begins the new year with the Pulitzer Prize-winning, new American classic, Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart. The production will run from January 8th through February 2nd.

Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award, Beth Henley's comedy brings you into the Mississippi household of the Magrath sisters. Babe has just shot her husband because she didn't like his looks. Meg is back in town after a failed attempt in the music business and a nervous breakdown. And poor Lenny-everyone has forgotten her 30th birthday... plus, her pet horse was just struck by lightning! Bad luck certainly runs deep among the Magrath clan. But with warm-hearted laughs and touching family moments, the sisters forgive the past, face the present, and embrace the future in this contemporary American stage classic.

Resident Company Members Beth Hylton and Megan Anderson play sisters Lenny and Meg, along with Dorea Schmidt (The Beaux' Stratagem) as youngest sister, Babe.

Ms. Hylton was last seen in the new Everyman Theatre's Grand Opening production, August: Osage County, as sister Ivy Weston. Since then, she was also seen in Center Stage's The Raisin Cycle as Bev and Kathy in Clybourne Park and Harriet in Beneatha's Place. Most recently she was seen in Woolly Mammoth's critically acclaimed production of Appropriate.

Megan Anderson will play middle sister Meg. MS. Anderson was seen last season in Everyman's productions of God of Carnage (Annette) and The Beaux' Stratagem (Kate Sullen). In 2004, MS. Anderson portrayed youngest sister Babe in Totem Pole Playhouse's summer production of Crimes of the Heart. This fall, MS. Anderson was seen in Theatre J's production of After the Revolution.

Dorea Schmidt will play youngest sister Babe. Ms. Schmidt was featured in last summer's production of The Beaux' Stratagem as the innkeeper's daughter, Cherry. Joining Ms. Schmidt from The Beaux' Stratagem cast will be Danny Gavigan as Doc. Mr. Gavigan appeared as Archer in last season's restoration comedy.

Katy Carkuff, who appeared several seasons ago as young Sister James in Everyman's critically acclaimed production of Doubt, will be seen as the Magrath sisters' cousin, Chick. Rounding out the cast will be newcomer to Everyman Jamie Smithson as Barnette. Mr. Smithson has appeared at productions at The Guthrie Lab, Imagination Stage, and Mile Square Theatre, among others.

Susanna Gellert will be making her Everyman directorial debut with Crimes of the Heart. She recently directed Mud Blue Sky at Center Stage, where she also serves as Artistic Producer. Ms. Gellert has worked extensively at theatres such as New York Music Theater Festival, the New York International Fringe Festival, The Ohio Theater, and more. As a teacher, Ms. Gellert has taught at University of Rochester, Bard College, Columbia University and New York University. She is the Founding Artistic Director of Chicago's I-80 Drama Company and associate artist at Target Margin Theater. Currently, she is a member of Wingspace, a theatrical design collaborative, and the Women's Project Director's Lab. She is a graduate of Columbia University, The Yale School of Drama and The University of Chicago.

Joining Ms. Gellert on the artistic team will be scenic designer Debra Booth (making her Everyman debut), Resident Lighting Designer Jay A. Herzog (The Glass Menagerie, August: Osage County), costume designer Levonne Lindsay (Topdog/Underdog, Time Stands Still) and Stowe Nelson (also making his Everyman debut).

Crimes of the Heart runs from January 8th through February 2nd, offering performances Wednesday through Sunday, with selected Tuesday evening performances.

Everyman Theatre is proud to partner with University of Maryland Medical Center as the Season Sponsor and WYPR 88.1-FM as the Season Media Sponsor. Michael Hodes, LLC is the production sponsor and Style Magazine is the production's media sponsor.

Everyman Theatre is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District.

Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a resident company of artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone.

Vincent Lancisi is the Artistic Director of Everyman Theatre; Ian Tresselt is the Managing Director.

For information about Everyman Theatre, visit www.everymantheatre.org or call 410.752.2208.