Maryland Ensemble Theatre's THE ELEPHANT MAN Begins Tonight

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) presents the fifth play in its seventeenth Mainstage season, the award winning drama, "The Elephant Man". Written by Bernard Pomerance, and directed by MET Associate Artistic Director, Julie Herber, the play will run at Maryland Ensemble Theatre for four weeks beginning tonight, April 10.

"The Elephant Man" is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, victim of rare skin and bone diseases, he has become the star freak attraction in traveling sideshows. Found abandoned and helpless, he is admitted to London's prestigious Whitechapel hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati only to be denied his ultimate dream, to become a man like any other.

"The Elephant Man" made its Broadway debut in 1979 and went on to win the Tony Award for "Best Play", the New York Drama Critics' Award, an Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics' Circle Award. The play has been revived numerous times since including the recent 2014 Broadway production featuring Bradley Cooper that will transfer to London's West End in 2015.

Brooklyn born playwright, Bernard Pomerance, who studied at the University of Chicago, is best known for "The Elephant Man," but other notable works include "Quantrill in Lawrence" and "Melons", which explore the politically weighted views of American history. Maryland Ensemble Theatre's production of Pomerance's most famous play will be directed by MET Associate Artistic Director Julie Herber whose most recent MET directorial credits include "In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)", "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson" and "A Clockwork Orange". "Our concept delves into the freaks inside of us all," said Herber. "Between things like increased awareness and acceptance of persons with disabilities or instances of ugliness in behavior such as we see in viral videos, to the success of shows like "American Horror Story", it is fascinating for us as storytellers to examine what, like Merrick, our 'deformities' are. I think our audiences are going to enjoy the ride through this story."

The talented cast is comprised entirely of members of the MET ensemble: Jack Evans, Reiner Prochaska, Giovanni Kavota, James McGarvey, Vanessa Strickland, Gené Fouché, and Matt Lee as Merrick. The production will benefit from a terrifically creative design team of Set Designer Joann Lee, Costume Designer Stephanie Hyder, Lighting Designer Paul Shillinger, Sound Designer Steve Younkins, Prop Designer Devin Gaither, and Projectionist Cecelia Lee.

"The Elephant Man" will run every Thursday through Sunday from today, April 10 through May 3 at MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, MD. Thursday, April 9 there will be preview performance at 8pm and tickets to that show are $10 (cash only at door/no reservations). The first Sunday performance will be preceded by a reception hosted by MET Board Members Tina Lee & Jane Dallimore and sponsored by Giant Eagle.

Tickets to "The Elephant Man" are $16.50 through $25.50 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office. Holistic Health Associates is the show sponsor of "The Elephant Man". The show is also made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, The Frederick Gorilla, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Ausherman Family Trust, Mark A Pitts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The Frederick News Post and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils.

For more information on the MET's production of "The Elephant Man" or any of the MET's other programs including The Ensemble School, The Fun Company or The Comedy Pigs you can visit marylandensemble.org.

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