Sharr White's Psychological Thriller THE OTHER PLACE Begins a Four-Show Season of Programming

Sharr White's The Other Place begins a season that explores challenges in The Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre. This psychological thriller, under the direction of award-winning director Jim O'Connor, is a look at the journey of a character undergoing impactful but unexplained change. This is an intimate look at an intimate event in our intimate Side Door Theatre. The Other Place opens in the Trustus Side Door Theatre on Friday October 17th and runs through November 1st, 2014. A talk-back will follow the matinee on October 19th. Tickets can be bought at www.trustus.org.

Playwright Sharr White's The Other Place uses a non-linear form of storytelling to guide audiences through the confusion and discoveries of the characters in the story. This narrative device creates a chilling connectivity with the audience as they attempt to assess the truth along with the characters. The story follows Dr. Juliana Smithton. She is a successful neurologist whose life seems to be coming unhinged currently. Her husband has filed for divorce, her daughter has eloped with a much older man and her own health is in jeopardy. Piece by piece, a mystery unfolds as fact blurs with fiction, past collides with present and the elusive truth of Juliana's mental health boils to the surface. Juliana tries, along with the audience, to discover what is real and what is not. Mr. White's script makes this journey of discovery a fascinating evening in the theatre.

Jim O'Connor returns to helm this production after directing our Main Stage season opener Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. After seeing a much lauded production of this show in New York, O'Connor approached Trustus about bringing this new script to Columbia. "The show is a thriller with feeling," said O'Connor. "We, along with Juliana, must search through the clues to identify the cause (villain) in the new reality. Like all thrillers there are useful clues and false leads. The journey is what is so thrilling and the universality of the answer is what is so moving. Theatre is about being alive today here and now in this place. The Other Place offers us the opportunity to empathize with others while preparing ourselves for something similar if it should occur in our lives. It is a rehearsal for the possible in our future...the true function of theatre." While the play focuses on a character experiencing mental decline, it's the experience of the caregivers that will resonate with many patrons attending the performance.

O'Connor constructed a talented cast to bring this challenging piece to life. Last seen on stage in Trustus' Clybourne Park, actors Erica Tobolski and Bryan Bender make their Side Door debuts as Dr. Juliana Smithton and her husband Ian. Trustus Company Members Jennifer Moody Sanchez and G. Scott Wild play various characters throughout the evening as the mystery unfolds.

This season's programming in The Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre explores life challenges - the things that affect the daily routine of living and make an impact on our future. From the struggle for equality to dealing with the isolation and pain of alcoholism, this programming is intended to serve our community and provide a platform for examination. The Other Place offers a look at mental decline and the struggle to maintain a sense of identity.

"Beyond our own personal pleasure of creating art, The Other Place services the community where the theatre exists," said Director O'Connor. "It is truly a script, and we hope, a production that positively addresses the question: How will Columbia be a better place because Trustus produced this play?"

The Other Place opens in The Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre on Friday October 17th and runs through November 1st, 2014. A talk-back will follow the matinee on October 19th. The doors and box office open thirty minutes prior to curtain, and all Trustus Side Door tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students. Reservations can be made by calling the Trustus Box Office at (803) 254-9732, and tickets may be purchased online at www.trustus.org.

The Richard and Debbie Cohn Trustus Side Door Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady Street and on Pulaski Street. The Trustus Side Door Theatre entrance is through the glass doors on the Huger St. side of the building.

For more information or reservations call the box office Tuesdays through Saturdays 1-6 pm at 803-254-9732. Visit www.trustus.org for all show information and season info.

PHOTO BY: Rob Sprankle