Maryland Ensemble Theatre Presents WHY TORTURE IS WRONG...

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will kick off its 14th full season of mainstage plays with the hysterically satirical comedy Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them, by Christopher Durang. The acclaimed author will be familiar to MET audiences from the MET's previous productions of his plays Beyond Therapy, Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge and Durang, Durang. Torture tells the story of a young woman suddenly in crisis: Is her new husband, whom she married when drunk, a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father's hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? Why does her mother enjoy going to the theater so much? Does she seek mental escape, or is she insane? Honing in on our private terrors both at home and abroad, Durang oddly relieves our fears in this black comedy for an era of yellow, orange, and red alerts Directed by Maryland Ensemble Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Gene' Fouche', Torture runs from September 8 through October 2nd, every Thursday through Sunday on the MET stage. Preview performance ($5 cash tickets at door only) on Thursday, September 8 at 8pm. Press night is Sunday, September 11 at 7pm.

Tickets to Torture may be purchased online at marylandensemble.org, by phone at (301) 694-4744 or in person at the MET box office.

The New York Times called this 2009 play, "Durang's funniest play!" and told audience "Don't feel guilty about laughing so hard at this hilarious new comedy.", when it premiered at New York's Public Theatre to rave reviews and multiple extended runs. The MET production is directed by Gene' Fouche' who last season directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and has directed 20 MET productions as a founding ensemble member. She will direct her fellow ensemble members Lisa Burl, Julie Herber, Matt Lee, Reiner Prochaska and Vanessa Strickland who are joined on stage by Joey Ibanez and Tim Seltzer.

"I think the play mirrors everyone's response to 9/11 whether that response was fear or aggression or the need to simply change the subject.", Fouche' commented. Durang himself remarked, "I myself feel that the play is a catharsis, a comic catharsis". No matter the subject Durang always delivers the funny and the first reviews of Torture prove he has delivered again whether it's the AP and NY Times calling it "Hilarious" or the Bloomberg News saying, "You may laugh yourself silly!".

The creative team includes JoAnn Lee (set design), Rachael Cody (costume design), Tabetha White (lighting design), Steve Younkins (sound design), Devin Gather (properties) and Doug Grove (stage manager).

For more information on this play or the rest of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre's 14th season visit marylandensemble.org.

For over a decade, Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs. The MET is an artistic leader in the region and at the forefront of the creation of Frederick's Theater District.

WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM INFORMATION

Starring: Lisa Burl* (Hildegarde), Julie Herber* (Luella), Joey Ibanez (Zamir), Matt Lee* (Voice), Reiner Prochaska* (Rev. Mike), Tim Seltzer (Leonard) and Vanessa Strickland* (Felicity).

Director and Designers: JoAnn Lee* (set design), Rachael Cody (costume design), Tabetha White (lighting design), Steve Younkins (sound design), Devin Gather* (properties) and Doug Grove* (stage manager).

* Maryland Ensemble Company Members

Where: Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701

Dates: September 8th - October 2, 2011, Every Thursday through Sunday

Performances: Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 9/11 & 10/2 at 7pm, Sunday 9/18 & 9/25 at 2pm

Ticket Prices: Adults $24, Students/Seniors $20, Thursday & Sunday evenings $15.
Additional service fees may apply.

10/8 at 8pm - $5 preview tickets are only available at the box office starting one hour before the performance and are CASH ONLY!

Box Office: 301-694-4744 or marylandensemble.org or at the MET (Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 3pm, Friday 11am - 3pm and 1 hour before each show.)

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