CATCO Opens 26th Season With MURDERERS, Previews 9/30, 10/1

By: Sep. 18, 2009
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Gerald Halverson is a dapper dude in his late'30s. Lucy Stickler is a charming 75-year-old housewife. Minka Lupino is a soft-spoken woman in her ‘40s, who loves to read novels. All three live or work in the Riddle Key Luxury Senior Retirement Living Center and Golf Course in Florida. And all are the characters in CATCO's 26th season opener and central Ohio Premiere, Murderers.

On the outside, Gerald, Lucy and Minka look like everyday people, but get inside their heads and you'll discover they have one dark secret in common - they're murderers. In this black comedy by Ohio native Jeffrey Hatcher, these three unlikely killers can justify their crimes in the most outrageously funny ways.

"Homicide has never been so hilarious," said Jonathan Putnam, CATCO associate artistic director, who will direct Murderers, which will be performed Sept. 30-Oct. 18, 2009, at the Vern Riffe Center, Studio Two Theatre, 77 S. High St. Hatcher, who Putnam described as "one of the wittiest playwrights in the business," is no stranger to CATCO, which performed three of his other plays in the 1990s: Three Viewings and Scotland Road during the 1996-97 season, and The Turn of the Screw during the 1997-98 season.

"As delightful a group of killers as one is likely to encounter" says TheatreMania.com about the play; "Murderers is a delight - a very funny comedy with some biting satire," says Talkin' Broadway.
Starring in Murderers are two newcomers to CATCO: Matthew Moore (Gerald) and Jill Taylor (Minka). Moore, who recently received his MFA in classical acting from The George Washington University, has worked as an actor, voice artist and director for two decades. His credits include The Revenger's Tragedy and As You Like IT. Taylor, who received her MFA from Indiana University and spent numerous years in New York City, now lives in Westerville. Her favorite roles include Kate in Taming of the Shrew; Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fanny Cranberry in On The Verge, and Alice in Alice in Ireland.

They are joined by Kerry Shanklin, who recently appeared as Ana in CATCO's highly acclaimed production of The Clean House last season. Other credits at CATCO include Three Tall Women, Seascape and The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Jon Putnam, who directed Escanaba In Love and The Clean House last season, has acted in or directed dozens of shows at CATCO since 1986. Other directing credits include The Drawer Boy, The Foursome, Bad Dates and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.

CATCO's 2009-10, 26th anniversary season is dedicated to community leaders, Loann Crane, Barbara Fergus and Tom Katzenmeyer. Donors for the season are the Robert Bartels and Edith Doud Unrestricted Funds of The Columbus Foundation; Nationwide Foundation; Ohio Arts Council, which funds CATCO with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans; and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, which is providing a project support grant for Pierce to the Soul, which will be produced April 7-25, 2010.

Preview (Discounted Tickets)/Opening Night Performances

There are two previews for Murderers, Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. and Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.50 for the 11 a.m. performance, and $32.50 for the 7:30 p.m. show. The opening performance is Friday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40, and include admission to a post-performance party in the theatre lobby.

Half-Price Happy Hour

At least one Thursday of each show run tickets and drinks are half price. For Murderers, the Half-Price Happy Hour is Thursday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m.

$11@11 Matinees

For Murderers, there will be three $11@11 performances: the first preview Wednesday, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, and Oct. 14. CATCO's $11 @ 11 is an offering for theatre-goers who want to see a play mid-week (Wednesday) and mid-day (11 a.m.) at a great price ($11 plus a 50-cent restoration fee). For ticket information, please call 614.469.0939 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Dramaturg/Actor Talkbacks

For a deeper understanding of each play, CATCO presents talkback sessions for audiences. For Murderers, the dramaturg talkback will follow the Sunday, Oct. 11, matinee; the actor talkback will follow the Sunday, Oct. 4, matinee.

Audio Description

On one Sunday of each production, CATCO provides an audio-described performance for the visually impaired along with free headset rental. The audio description for Murderers will be Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m.

Ticket/Parking Information

Tickets for regular performances are $40. Students and senior may purchase half-prIce Tickets on Sunday and Thursday performances the day of the performance based on availability and valid I.D. All tickets can be purchased at the box office at 41 E. State St., next to the Ohio Theatre, by calling 614.469.0939 or by visiting ticketmaster.com or by calling or visiting any central Ohio Ticketmaster location. Performances are in the Studio One Theatre at the Vern Riffe Center, located at 77 S. High St. in Downtown Columbus at the corner of State and High streets. Attached parking is available in the Riffe Center garage, which is entered from Front Street.

About CATCO

CATCO is central Ohio's professional Equity theatre company. Its mission is to produce diverse, high-quality, and exciting theatrical work that celebrates our common humanity. For more information, visit catco.org.



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