Pearl Theatre Presents Rosmersholm, Begins 11/12

THE Pearl Theatre Company (J.R. Sullivan, Artistic Director; Shira Beckerman, Managing Director) proudly presents Henrik Ibsen's passionate and haunting ROSMERSHOLM, adapted by Mike Poulton. The production, beginning November 12 at New York City Center Stage II, will be directed by Elinor Renfield and feature Austin Pendleton, as previously announced. Tickets are currently on sale through CityTix® and at nycitycenter.org.

The Pearl's ROSERSHOLM will be the American premiere of a new version of Ibsen's play as adapted by Mike Poulton. Written in 1886 in the middle of his career, and regarded by some as Ibsen's masterpiece, the play focuses on a free-thinking crusader named Rebecca West and a former priest, Johannes Rosmer, presiding owner of the Rosmersholm estate and a prominent figure in the community. ROSMERSHOLM presents social and political idealism at odds with a traditional ruling class and an accompanying opportunistic culture.

Poulton's version of Ibsen's play, first seen in 2008 at The Almeida Theatre in London, was hailed as "eloquent" (Independent), "lively" (Daily Telegraph), and "accessible" (Evening Standard). ROSMERSHOLM was last produced off-Broadway in New York at Classic Stage Company in 1977 and last seen on Broadway in 1935.

"Here is a play that resounds with contemporary impact," said Pearl Artistic Director J. R. Sullivan. "Rosmersholm presents idealism and democratic principles at sea in a community characterized by an undertow of conservatism and opportunism. This new version of Ibsen's drama by Mike Poulton underlines all that is immediate and powerful in Ibsen's richly drawn work."

Considered the father of modern drama, Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) examined social and political realities underlying many of the pretenses of the period, in the process creating forceful and often controversial works that played a major role in the radical change realized in theatre art itself. Among the Norwegian dramatist's other significant works are A Doll's House, Ghosts, and Hedda Gabbler.

In addition to Ibsen, Mike Poulton has adapted works by Chekhov, Strindberg, and Euripides, among others. Poulton's work has been seen in the West End and at the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as two productions on Broadway. His 2002 production of Fortune's Fool received a Tony nomination for best play.

Director Elinor Renfield is currently the Chair of the Graduate Directing Program at The New School for Drama and has directed extensively in New York and regionally. Her credits include Open Admission on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at Goodspeed Opera House, The Seagull at Circle Rep, Passion Play at the Minetta Lane Theatre, and Suddenly Last Summer at Barrington Stage Company. Ms. Renfield began directing professionally in 1976 with The Sorrows of Frederick by Romulus Linney, a production that featured Austin Pendleton.

The Cast
Rosmersholm features 4 members of the Pearl's Resident Acting Company. Robin Leslie Brown (Mrs. Helseth) is an original member of the ensemble, last seen at The Pearl in the company's production of Hard Times. Bradford Cover (Johannes Rosmer), a Pearl company member since 1996, has performed regionally and on Broadway in the 2001 revival of A Thousand Clowns. He is featured in The Pearl's current production, The Sneeze. Dominic Cuskern (Peder Mortensgaard), also appearing the The Sneeze, has been a member of the Resident Company since 2000. Dan Daily (Ulrik Brendel), a company member since 1998, was last seen with The Pearl as John Cleary in The Subject was Roses. Daily has also appeared with The New Group, and Classic Stage Company. Joining The Pearl's company members are two guest actors: Margot White (Rebecca West), who appeared on Broadway in the The Farnsworth Invention, and Austin Pendleton (Doctor Kroll), widely known for his work on stage and in film, as well as the director of such productions as The Little Foxes, on Broadway with ElizaBeth Taylor (1981), and The Pearl Productions of Toys in the Attic (2007) and Vieux Carre (2009), among many others.

Production Team
The production team includes: Harry Feiner, scenic design; Niki Hernandez-Adams, costume design; Stephen Petrilli, lighting design; Toby Jaguar Algya, sound design. The stage manager is Dale Smallwood and the dramaturg is Kate Farrington.

About The Pearl Theatre Company
Founded in 1984, The Pearl Theatre is a New York City repertory company producing a full range of plays rooted in the classic tradition, impacting over 30,000 artists and audiences each year. Over its 26-year history, The Pearl has been awarded with a 1992 Obie grant for Continued Artistic Excellence; a special Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance; a sweep of Actors' Equity Association's awards for Performance in Classical Plays; an American Theatre Wing grant for consistent commitment to excellence in the professional theatre; and the Board of Education's Friend of Manhattan High Schools Award for Classics in the Classroom, the Pearl's Arts-in-Education initiative which has allowed thousands of New York City high school students to experience classical theatre.

The Pearl performs at New York City Center's Stage II. Rosmersholm is the second production of the 2010-2011 season. Playing through October 31 is Michael Frayn's The Sneeze, adapted from plays and short stories by Anton Chekhov. The season continues with THE MISANTHROPE by Molierè in January 2011 and concludes with David Davalos' comedy WITTENBERG in the early spring.

The 2010-2011 Resident Acting Company
The 2010-2011 Resident Acting Company consists of veterans of the New York and regional stages including: Jolly Abraham, Rachel Botchan, Robin Leslie Brown, Bradford Cover, Dominic Cuskern, Dan Daily, TJ Edwards, Robert Hock, Sean McNall, Carol Schultz, Edward Seamon, and Lee Stark. The 2010-2011 resident stage managers are Lisa Ledwich and Dale Smallwood.
2010-2011 Ticketing and Performance Information
The Pearl Theatre Company provides a variety of ticketing options for the performance space at New York City Center, including season subscription packages.

For subscription tickets and information, contact Audience Services at 212-598-9802 or visit www.pearltheatre.org. Single tickets can be purchased through New York City Center by calling CityTix® at 212-581-1212, going online to www.nycitycenter.org, or visiting the City Center Box Office (131 West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Production Schedule:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30PM; Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:30PM. Rosmersholm will perform one Thursday matinee performance at 2:30PM on December 2, 2010.
Previews begin November 12, 2010 at 7:30PM. Opening night is Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 7:30PM.

Regular Ticket Prices:
$55 for performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; $45 for performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; $35 for all preview performances.

Senior Discount: $25 tickets can be purchased on the day of the performance only, up to one hour before curtain, subject to availability, by people 65 and older. One ticket per valid ID (with date of birth) at the box office. Not available during preview performances.

Student Rush: $10 tickets can be purchased on the day of the performance only, up to one hour before curtain, subject to availability, by students with a valid student ID. Limit 2 tickets per I.D at the box office.

Thursday Rush: $10 tickets are available to anyone for Thursday evening performances on the day of performance only, up to one hour before curtain, subject to availability at the box office. Not available during preview performances.

Groups of ten or more receive up to 25% off single tickets. Contact our Audience Services Manager at 212.598.9802 for details.

Tuesday Talk Post-Performance Discussion:
These in-depth discussions give audiences the opportunity to participate in intimate talk-backs led by published scholars and experts within their fields. Tuesday Talks during ROSMERSHOLM will take place following the performances on November 30, 2010 and December 14, 2010.

Directions:
The company performs its 2010-2011 Season at New York City Center Stage II, located at 131 West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) in midtown Manhattan. The Box Office is located at 131 West 55th Street in the outer lobby of the theatre entrance.

New York City Center can be reached by taking the N/Q/R to 57th St/7th Ave, the F to 57th St/6th Ave, the D/E to 7th Ave/53rd St, the A/B/C/D/1 to 59th St at Columbus Circle, the C to 50th St/8th Ave, or the 1 to 50th St/7th Ave.

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