Matt Bogart and Kate Shindle Star in Jonathan Brielle's 'Himself and Nora' in San Diego

San Diego – The Old Globe is pleased to present the world-premiere musical Himself and Nora, by Jonathan Brielle (composer and co-lyricist) and Sheila Walsh (author and co-lyricist), directed by Globe Associate Artist Joseph Hardy and Jeff Calhoun. This fascinating new piece about James Joyce and his relationship with his lover and "muse" Nora Barnacle runs in the Old Globe Theatre March 16 through April 24.

This luminous new musical shines a light on one of modern literature's most celebrated writers, James Joyce, viewing his accomplishments through the prism of his unique relationship with Nora Barnacle. Although she was an uneducated Irish chambermaid, Nora became Joyce's quintessential muse, helping him through a myriad of artistic and emotional challenges, while providing both inspiration and salvation. Their passionate, earthy romance was a profound influence on his life and helped mold him into the eminent artist he would eventually become. The score runs the gamut from spirited Irish tunes to charming love ballads. This haunting, poetic and sophisticated new musical explores the many conflicts wrought by James Joyce's unconventional life, while celebrating his groundbreaking accomplishments as a writer.

The cast features major Broadway star Matt Bogart as "James Joyce" and former Miss America Kate Shindle as "Nora Barnacle." Bogart has appeared on Broadway as Chris in Miss Saigon, Radames in Aida, as well as roles in The Civil War and Smokey Joe's Café. Regional credits include Paul in the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration's production of Company, Billy in Paper Mill Playhouse's Carousel, and Paul Claudel in Goodspeed Opera House's Camille Claudel. Kate Shindle was crowned Miss America in 1998 and has since pursued and acting career, appearing in Jekyll and Hyde as well as her cabaret act, "Me and My Shadow" and the film The Stepford Wives. The cast also includes David Edwards, Frank Mastrone, and Kathy Santen, all playing multiple roles.

An accomplished songwriter, Jonathan Brielle is the founder of Brielle Music, which creates scores and songs for top corporations in America and around the world. He has also worked on behalf of other writers as National Projects Director of the Songwriters Guild of America and as a member of the Writer Advisory Board of ASCAP for a five-year stint. On Broadway, Brielle wrote and directed the songs for the Tony award-winning show Foxfire, starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn. Off-Broadway, he became a composer member of The Circle Repertory Company, writing for many New York playwrights, directors and actors, including Lanford Wilson, John Bishop, Joe Mantello, William Hurt and Marshall Mason, among others. He and co-founder Rupert Holmes also formed a The Development Wing – a new theater company that dedicates itself to aiding the creation of exciting and original work for the theatre. Through their successful reading series, Entré Acts, The Development Wing has helped foster new collaborations among writers, actors, and directors resulting in new works moving further along the development process.

Sheila Walsh's work includes Tea With Mommy and Jack, O The Days!, and Bosoms on Table and Two Sides of the Story, both produced at the 42nd Street Workshop. She has also written numerous one-act plays that have been read or produced at theatres and festivals across the country including Manhattan Theatre, Actors Studio, Caldwell Theatre, New Jersey Rep, and the Houseman Theatre. Her one act play Molly and James won the Samuel French and Ramon Delgado Best Play Awards.

Globe Associate Artist Joseph Hardy has directed many Globe productions, including the critically-acclaimed Bus Stop (which recently earned four San Diego Critics Circle "Craig Noel" Awards), Memoir, Art, The Weir, Paramour, The Miser, The Taming of the Shrew, The Rivals and Richard II. His Broadway credits include Child's Play (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Play It Again Sam (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award), Romantic Comedy and Gigi, among others. Off-Broadway he has directed You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Vernon Rice Award), What the Butler Saw and Streets of New York. Other directing credits include Night of the Iguana, Cyrano De Bergerac (LA Drama Critics Award), The Time of the Cuckoo, The King and I and many others. Hardy's film and television credits include Silence, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Great Expectations, The Paper Chase, James at 15 (also Executive Producer) and The Lady's Not for Burning, among others.

The internationally-acclaimed, Tony Award®-winning Old Globe is one of the most renowned regional theaters in the country and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for nearly 70 years. The Globe produces a year-round season of 15 plays and musicals on its three stages, including the highly-regarded Shakespeare festival. The Globe has become a gathering place for leading theater artists from around the world, as exemplified by Tom Stoppard, Daniel Sullivan, Tina Landau, Nora Ephron and John Goodman, among many others. Numerous Broadway-bound premieres and revivals, such as Imaginary Friends, The Full Monty, Pride's Crossing and Damn Yankees, have been developed at the Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs in New York and at regional theatres across the country. Under the leadership of Artistic Directors Jack O'Brien and Craig Noel and Executive Director Louis G. Spisto, The Old Globe is at the forefront of the nation's leading performing arts organizations, setting the standard for excellence in the American theatre.

WHEN:
March 16 – April 24 (previews March 16-23)
Performances: – Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday at 7:00 pm
– Thursday/Friday/Saturday at 8:00 pm – Matinees: Saturday/Sunday at 2:00 pm

WHERE:
Old Globe Theatre The Old Globe, Balboa Park

Cast: Matt Bogart James Joyce
Kate Shindle Nora Barnacle
David Edwards Priest/Giorgio Joyce
Frank Mastrone John Joyce/Doctor/Ezra Pound
Kathy Santen Joyce's Mother/Harriet Weaver/
Sylvia Beach/Lucia Joyce

Director: Joseph Hardy
Director/Musical Staging: Jeff Calhoun
Music Director: Jana Zielonka
Scenic & Costume Designer: Tobin Ost
Lighting Designer: Michael Gilliam
Sound Designer: Jon Weston
Stage Manager: Leila Knox

TICKETS: $19 - $55; Discounts for students, seniors and active military.

BOX OFFICE: (619) 23-GLOBE

Hours: –Monday: noon to 6pm –Tuesday: thru Saturdays: noon to 8:30pm –Sundays: noon to 7:30pm –Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover Card accepted