City Theatre to Present Anna Ziegler's THE LAST MATCH
By: Tyler Peterson Mar. 16, 2016
Played out under the bright lights of the U.S. Open semifinals, The Last Match is a battle for the ages. Rising Russian star Sergei Sergeyev is pitted against American great Tim Porter in an epic showdown that follows two tennis titans through pivotal moments in their lives both on-and-off the court. Anna Ziegler's gripping, fast-paced story captures the intense world of competitive sports-and human rivalry-in the ultimate clash where only one champion will prevail.
The New York Times has described Anna Ziegler's playwriting as smart, elegant, and lyrical, calling her a "fast-rising dramatist," and "newly (and justly) hot playwright." Her play Photograph 51, about scientist Dr. Rosalind Franklin, received a West End production in 2015 starring Nicole Kidman. Ms. Kidman's performance has earned an Olivier Award Nomination. City Theatre previously hosted Ms. Ziegler for a workshop of her play Variations on a Theme during the Momentum festival in 2013. The Last Match marks the first full production of her work in Pittsburgh. Ms. Ziegler will be in residence at City Theatre March 15-17 and April 12-16.
"Anna is a playwright to watch this year with productions of her plays being done all over-from California to New York to London to Pittsburgh in a single season. Her success is not surprising. Her plays are as poetic as they are dramatic, her characters are dynamic and engaging, and her stories touch right at the heart of the human condition," said Director Tracy Brigden. "I'm thrilled to direct The Last Match. Like the U.S. Open game that is the play's setting, the action is fast-paced, focused, and cerebral. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering who will come out on top."
Anna Ziegler's plays include Photograph 51, directed on the West End in 2015 by Michael Grandage and starring Nicole Kidman, The Last Match, Boy, A Delicate Ship, Another Way Home (upcoming in Washington D.C. at Theater J), Dov and Ali, The Minotaur, and BFF. She has been commissioned by The Manhattan Theatre Club, Seattle Repertory Theatre, The Old Globe Theatre, and Ensemble Studio Theatre, among others, and are published by Dramatists Play Service. Anna is a graduate of Yale College and holds an M.F.A. in dramatic writing from the Tisch School of the Arts.
Facing off in The Last Match, the cast includes Danny Binstock as Tim and JD Taylor as Sergei, both in City Theatre debuts. Daina Michelle Griffith and Robin Abramson play Mallory and Galina. Creative team includes Narelle Sissons (scenic design), Susan Tsu (costume design), Ann Wrightson (lighting design), Joe Pino (sound design), and Don Wadsworth (dialect coach).
On Wednesday, March 16, Anna Ziegler will speak as part of the Writer's Live Series in partnership with Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, with the support of the Dramatists Guild Traveling Masters' Program. Ms. Ziegler will elaborate on her process as a playwright, her inspirations, and answer audience questions. The conversation, hosted by Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures Executive Director, Stephanie Flom, begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, in the 2nd floor International Poetry Room. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is suggested at pittsburghlectures.org.
Pittsburgh Urban Magnate Project (PUMP) has invited City Theatre to co-host the @PUMP_PSL monthly happy hour on Wednesday, March 30 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Local Bar + Kitchen on the South Side. Mingle with Pittsburgh Sports League (PSL) teammates, PUMP members, and the cast of The Last Match, learn more about PUMP's mission and strategic priorities, and enjoy food and drink specials. The cast will perform a special sneak peek of The Last Match and guests are entered to win tickets to Greenroom on May 6. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is suggested at PUMP.org.
PRESS / OPENING NIGHT:
Friday, April 15 at 8:00 p.m.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: April 9 - May 15, 2016
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. (April 20, May 4 only)
Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Note: there are no performances on Wednesday, April 27, or Thursday, April 28.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Writer's Live at CLP-Main: Anna Ziegler - Wednesday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Free. Register at pittsburghlectures.org.
In partnership with Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Ms. Ziegler will host a playwriting discussion at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2nd Floor International Poetry Room (4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213). Ms. Ziegler's appearance is supported by the Dramatists Guild Fund Traveling Master's Program.
@PUMP_PSL March Happy Hour - Wednesday, March 30 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Free. Register at PUMP.org.
The cast of The Last Match and City Theatre's artistic team joins Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project-Pittsburgh Sports League at Local Bar + Kitchen on the South Side. Enjoy food and drink specials, enter a City Theatre ticket giveaway, and get a sneak peek at The Last Match, as cast members perform selections from the show.
Pre-Show Discussions:
For select performances during preview week (April 9-14), there will be a pre-show discussion led by Clare Drobot, Director of New Play Development. Call the box office for details.
Sipping Sunday - April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Performance ticket includes pre-show wine tasting.
Sunday Talkbacks - April 17 and 24 following the 2:00 p.m. performance.
Pay-What-You-Want and City Salon - April 23 and May 7 at 9:00 p.m.
PWYW Tickets go on sale two hours before curtain, walk-up sales only.
Greenroom Young Professionals Night - May 6 at 8:00 p.m.
$25 Greenroom ticket includes complimentary snacks, beer, and wine after the performance with the cast.
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE DATES:
ASL Interpretation - Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Open Captioning and Audio Description - Sunday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side)
Patron parking is available in the lot across from the City Theatre entrance for $7.
BOX OFFICE:
412.431.CITY (2489) or citytheatrecompany.org
TICKETS:
$36 to $56
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