Neil Gaiman's NEVERWHERE Comes to Rorschach Theatre

Rorschach Theatre announces the cast and designers for its revival of NEVERWHERE (2013), Robert Kauzlaric's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's modern cult classic about a man who stumbles upon adventure in a dangerous and magical world that exists below the streets of London. The ensemble cast will include returning cast members Sarah Taurchini as Door and Daniel Corey as Richard Mayhew. The design team will include cutting-edge set and projections design collective Pixelumen Lab.

"Directed by Jenny McConnell Frederick, this visually stunning production delivers a tried and true justice to the phantasmagorical magnificence that is Gaiman's work. A brilliantly haunting tale with cracks of sparkling magic woven seamless into every element of the production, it's the most mystifying show you'll see all season."

- DC Metro Theatre Arts

When Richard Mayhew stumbles upon an injured young woman on the streets of London, he has no idea that he has also stumbled upon the fantastical world of London Below. Sucked into the realm of monsters, tricksters, beasts and angels, Richard Learns that life is far more interesting than you can imagine ... if you just know where to look. Neil Gaiman's heralded cult-classic novel returns to Rorschach Theatre in a vivid immersive experience. New ideas and reimagined design elements will join many of the original cast in a production that retains the energy of the original while recognizing some of the suddenly relevant details.

"NEVERWHERE is, first and foremost, an epic fantasy adventure that explores the journey to become a hero. Digging deeper though, it's an exploration of class, privilege and the consequences of looking past those in need." says Director and Rorschach Co-Artistic Director Jenny McConnell Frederick "As universal as those themes are, there's a sharp poignancy to exploring them in this particular moment of social and political chaos."

The cast for NEVERWHERE includes a mix of actors returning from the 2013 production and actor both new to NEVERWHERE and to Rorschach Theatre.

Returning cast members include Daniel Corey, Lee Liebeskind, Cam Magee, Scott McCormick, ChristIan Sullivan, Sarah Taurchini and Grady Weatherford. Taurchini, reprising the role of Door, says of her return, "I'm excited to get a second chance at a role that meant so much to me the first time around. I feel like a different person attacking it now than when I did back then." She added, "Door's journey is about learning how to put your life back together when the worst has happened and that theme of rebuilding has a different meaning to me now and seems especially poignant in a time of such political turmoil and a larger cultural sense of hopelessness."

New to the cast are McCaul Baggett, Thais Menendez, Robert Pike, Robert BowenA. Smith, Dina Soltan and Megan Reichelt.

Reichelt, who has served as Dramaturg for both productions, will now work onstage in the role of Hunter. Reichelt says of the role, "it is a wonderful challenge to take all the Hunters who came before - from the mini-series, the book, the comic book, the radio play and the performance of the amazing Jennifer Knight in Rorschach's 2013 production - and find the beating heart of Hunter." Reichelt sees the role as the culmination of her own development as a performer: "When I saw Hunter four years ago it was a revelation. I began to train in stage combat so that one day I could have a role like that," she said. "With the help of the incredibly talented ensemble, an electric combination of seasoned veterans and fresh blood in London Below, I am excited to find her humor, subtlety and strength and lead the audience down into the sewers and the magic and the dark with us."

Designing the show are David C. Ghatan, Robbie Hayes and Ryan Smith of Pixelumen Lab; Cory Ryan Frank (Lighting Design); Veronica J. Lancaster (Sound Design); and Debra Kim Sivigny and Sydney Moore (Costume Design).

The collaborative and technologically advanced approach of Pixelumen Lab is a first for Rorschach, allowing interactive technology to enrich the already immersive experience of NEVERWHERE. David C. Ghatan, a Rorschach company member, says of the project, "for Pixelumen Lab the opportunity to inject the world of NEVERWHERE with the latest in digital projection technology is very exciting. The 360 degree scenery takes the original production to a new level with new digital effects enhancing the already transformative stage magic of Rorschach."

Neil Gaiman came to world acclaim thanks to his seminal comic book series THE SANDMAN and went on to become an author of short fiction, novels, audio theatre and films. His most famous works include the novels STARDUST, AMERICAN GODS, CORALINE, THE GRAVEYARD BOOK and his latest novel THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE which was released in June. He has won numerous awards, including The Newbery Medal, The Hugo Award, The Nebula Award, The Bram Stoker award and the Carnegie Medal among many others.

NEVERWHERE began as a 1996 teleplay for the BBC and was released as a novel in the same year. It quickly became a cult-classic and much beloved story inspiring numerous adaptations and translations. NEVERWHERE has found life on the radio twice and continues to attract fans of all ages around the world. Gaiman's unique blend of the modern and the mythic has captivated audiences in print, film, television and now the stage.

Neil Gaiman lives with his wife songwriter and performer Amanda Palmer near Menomonie, Wisconsin and also resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Robert Kauzlaric is a Chicago-based playwright, director, and actor. He has written twenty theatrical adaptations which have been performed all across the US, as well as in England, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and Canada. The New York Times called his adaptation of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS! "One of the best children's shows of the year." His version of THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU received five of Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Awards, including New Adaptation and Best Production; his adaptation of Neil Gaiman's NEVERWHERE received the Jeff Award for New Adaptation; and his treatments of THE PICTURE OF DORIan Gray and NORTHANGER ABBEY were both nominated for New Adaptation. Four of his plays are licensed by Playscripts, Inc, and he has been published in Dramatics Magazine.

A landmark of the newly revitalized H Street, NE neighborhood, the Atlas stood vacant for years until it was re-opened as the Atlas Performing Arts Center in November, 2006 following an extensive four-year renovation. Its 60,000 square foot complex includes four theatres, three dance studios, administrative offices, dressing rooms, lobbies, a café and production and rehearsal spaces. The center is home to a diverse group of locally renowned theatre and dance companies, symphony orchestras, choral groups and arts education programs. Its mission includes serving the greater metropolitan DC area as well as being the artistic heart of its immediate community.

In the past Rorschach Theatre has performed in a greenhouse, a back-alley art gallery, the lobby of 16th Street JCC, the former sanctuary of a Methodist Church in Columbia Heights, Georgetown University's Performing Arts Center and in the basement of a Lutheran Church in Georgetown.

Through uncommon uses of environment and intimate passionate performances, Rorschach Theatre seeks to lure its audiences beyond the limits of ordinary theatrical experience so that they may discover new elements of their own humanity.

Rorschach Theatre is a company that has received significant acclaim for its fierce performance style, its bold use of theatrical space and its dedication to challenging works that are at once relevant and timeless. The company's work has focused on helping to reveal the contemporary relevance of fable, finding magic in rough spaces, connecting timeless works to a contemporary audience.

Rorschach Theatre has produced more than three dozen plays seen by more than 50,000 people in Washington area. They have been nominated for seven Helen Hayes Awards, been a finalist for the Mayor's Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artists and been the recipients of two Young Artists grants and two Artist Fellowship Grants from the DC Commission for the Art and Humanities. Rorschach Theatre won a Mary Goldwater award in 2006 and many Rorschach artists have won Mary Goldwater awards for their work with the company. The company's work has garnered the attention of The New York Times, The Washington Post, American Theatre Magazine and National Public Radio, as well as countless local publications. The company has become, "proof that limited resources do not stymie great talents, any more than big budgets can squeeze works of genius from mediocre minds." (Washington Post)

Rorschach Theatre is a member of the LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON THEATRES and THE CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF GREATER WASHINGTON.

Neil Gaiman'S NEVERWHERE: FACT SHEET

Playwright/Adapter: Robert Kauzlaric

Director: Jenny McConnell Frederick

Producers: Jenny McConnell Frederick, Randy Baker, and Jonelle Walker

Cast: McCaul Baggett, Daniel Corey, Lee Liebeskind, Cam Magee, Thais Menendez, Scott McCormick, Robert Pike, Megan Reichelt, Robert BowenA. Smith, Dina Soltan, ChristIan Sullivan, Sarah Taurchini, and Grady Weatherford

Designers: David C. Ghatan, Robbie Hayes and Ryan Smith (Set and Projections Design), Cory Ryan Frank (Lighting Design), Veronica J. Lancaster (Sound Design), Debra Kim Sivigny and Sydney Moore (Costume Design)

Production Team: Gordon Nimmo-Smith (Production Manager), Linz Moore (Stage Manager), Medha Marsten (Assistant Director), Casey Kaleba (Fight Choreographer), Jenna Berk (Vocal/Dialect Coach), Megan Reichelt (Dramaturg).

Blurb: When Richard Mayhew stumbles upon an injured young woman on the streets of London, he has no idea that he has also stumbled upon the fantastical world of London Below. Sucked into a world of monsters, tricksters, beasts and angels, Richard Learns that life is far more interesting than you can imagine ... if you just know where to look. Neil Gaiman's heralded cult-classic novel returns to Rorschach Theatre in a vivid immersive experience.

Pay-What-You-Can Previews (3): Sept. 2 & 4 at 8pm; Sept. 3 at 3pm

Press Night: Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 8pm

Performance Schedule: Through October 2

with shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Additional performances on Monday Sept. 18 & Wednesday Sept. 27 at 8pm and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 2pm

Rorschach Theatre Mission Statement: Through uncommon uses of environment and intimate passionate performances, Rorschach Theatre seeks to lure its audiences beyond the limits of ordinary theatrical experience so that they may discover new elements of their own humanity.

Rorschach Theatre Artistic Directors: Jenny McConnell Frederick and Randy Baker

Rorschach Theatre Resident Company Members: Brian S. Allard, Sara Barker , Frank Britton , Daniel Corey, Robin Covington, Lauren Cucarola, Valerie Fenton, Matthew Frederick, David C. Ghatan, Eric Grims, Cesar A. Guadamuz, Robbie Hayes, Casey Kaleba , Jennifer Knight, Veronica J. Lancaster , Lee Liebeskind, Scott Mccormick, Megan Reichelt, Debra Kim Sivigny, Colin Smith, ChristIan Sullivan, Sarah Taurchini, Catherine Tripp, Yasmin Tuazon, Grady Weatherford

For Tickets: (202) 399-7993, http://atlasarts.org/events/

For Information: 202-452-5538, www.rorschachtheatre.com

Ticket Prices: $30 (Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun. matinee) & $45 (Sat. evening) full price / $20 for students, seniors or groups / $15 for H Street neighborhood; All Previews (see schedule above) are "pay what you can."

Discounts can be found on our website at http://www.rorschachtheatre.com/tickets/

Location: 1333 H St NE Washington, DC 20002

Parking/Transportation: The Atlas has secured limited amount of parking at H Street Parking which is located at 1008 H Street NE. Buy parking passes online at www.atlasarts.org.

Atlas is accessible by Metro, bus and now Streetcar!

For more information visit http://www.rorschachtheatre.com/directions/

For more information: http://www.rorschachtheatre.com/neverwhere-returns/