Matrix Theatre Presents RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN, Now thru 12/7

Matrix Theatre opens its Mainstage season with Rapture, Blister, Burn, the hilarious comedy from Gina Gionfriddo, author of Becky Shaw. A 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist, the play highlights two friends who chose different paths after graduate school. Gwen built a family, and Catherine chose a career. Twenty years later, they meet again and question their choices, as each envies the other's life. The play is a humorously candid, multi-generational debate of the age-old question: Can a woman really have it all? The show runs from tonight, November 14 through Sunday, December 7. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm, with Sunday performances at 3 pm. All productions are presented at Matrix Theatre Company, located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and senior citizens (65+) with proper ID. Season passes and group rates are available. For further information, or to purchase tickets, call 313 967 0599, or go to www.matrixtheatre.org.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is directed by Dr. Lisa Hodge Kander and stars Emily Rogers (Ann Arbor), Casey S. Hibbert (Auburn Hills), Tricia Turek (Novi), Kelly Rose Voigt (Farmington Hills), and Wendy S. Hiller (Ann Arbor). Dr. Kander is no stranger to Matrix; she directed last season's Visiting Mr. Green. She also directed the play Unshelved by her daughter Beth Kander, which received production in Chicago earlier this year. Her intimate familiarity with the play's themes - second wave feminism, academia, and the challenges in raising a family - makes Kander distinctively poised to bring her vision to this production. "We couldn't have found a better director and cast for this show," said Matrix Theatre Artistic Director Megan Buckley-Ball. "Each of them brings a unique voice to this production, and I think that will shine through in performances."

In addition to the performances, special post-show events are planned throughout the run to give audience members the opportunity to explore the themes of the show in fun and social ways. Each weekend of the run features one event that is included in the price of admission. Audience members have the opportunity to choose from a variety of post-show activities including the "I'm Not a Feminist, but..." roundtable discussion featuring experts on the topics of gender roles and relationships, and Pub* Trivia (*Public vs. Private in a Media-Saturated World), a fun pub-style trivia game where audience members team up and, over beer, compete for bragging rights. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.matrixtheatre.org.

About Matrix Theatre Company

Celebrating 23 years as a non-profit community-based theatre, Matrix Theatre Company is located in southwest Detroit. By using the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community and foster social justice, Matrix often creates everything from scratch, from puppets of all sizes to more than 130 original plays. It provides creative opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers, and audiences of original and heritage theatre. For further information or to follow Matrix on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, go to matrixtheatre.org.

Matrix's Inclusive Theatre Initiative (ITI) strives to offer the transformative power of theatre to all. It aims to build a community for those with and without disabilities. It is a model of relating to people, rooted in the essential dignity and value of each person, offering ways to build deeper connections between people, places, and institutions.

Photo credit: Megan Buckley-Ball