Newnan Theatre Company to Present EXTREMITIES This Fall

Newnan Theatre Company has announced the opening of William Mastrosimone's Extremities on Thursday, November 9th. The show will run through November 19th in the NTC Black Box arena.

This powerful show involves a young woman named Marjorie who is attacked by a would-be rapist in her home. Marjorie manages to turn the tables on her attacker and ties him up in her fireplace. Her roommates, Terry and Patricia, come home to find the attacker, Raul, bound with belts, cords, and other household items.

Terry and Patricia begin debating with Marjorie as to the fate of Raul. Terry, a rape victim herself as a teenager, believes that Raul will never be convicted of rape because the act did not actually occur, and there is no proof that Raul actually intended to rape Marjorie. Patricia is a staunch believer in the justice system and insists on calling the police.

The three friends also turn on one another at various points in the show due to Raul's intimate knowledge of them, knowledge he has gained through stalking them and stealing their mail.

Cierra Byrd, a newcomer to the NTC stage, plays Marjorie, the victim who fights back. Michelle Mason and Ivanna Osma play Patricia and Terry, Marjorie's roommates. Derrian Burse plays the attacker, Raul. But, on Sunday, November 12, and Friday, November 17, Byrd and Osma will switch roles. Director Frankie Hardin explains, "I had two very talented, very committed actresses audition for the role of Marjorie. This is our way of allowing both to explore Marjorie's complexities and nuance."

"Unfortunately, the themes of this show are still very relevant," says Mason. "Patricia is the moral compass of the showand the voice of reason in a very emotionally charged situation. It's been an interesting journey, to examine how I might respond to the same situation - would I be more like Marjorie or like Patricia. It will be equally interesting to see which side the audience will take, since they will have seen the whole series of events occur."

Frankie Hardin also finds the subject matter timely. "When NTC approached me about directing Extremities, I was very excited - I love this show. Yes, I'm a feminist and I consider it to be an important show, a modern classic. I love the themes it explores even as I deplore the fact that this play is just as timely as when it premiered in the mid- 1980's - the "Me Too" movement is proof of that."

For the Sunday, November 12th matinee of the show, there will also be a talk-back session after the show. Rape crisis counselors from Grady Rape Crisis Center will be present to discuss the political climate surrounding sexual predators, victim awareness, and the ramifications of sexual assault. This discussion will be frank and open, and audience members are welcome to share their opinions and stories.

William Mastrosimone's Extremities opens on November 9th and runs through November 19th. Show times are at 8 pm, with the Sunday shows being 3 pm matinees. Tickets are available now through the Newnan Theatre Company's website, www.newnantheatre.org, or by calling the NTC box office line, 770.683.6282. This show does have mature content and might not be for every viewer.

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