The Savannah Disputation Premieres at Olney July 28 - Aug. 22

The Savannah Disputation, written by EVan Smith, plays the Mainstage July 28 through August 22. Tickets are $26 to $54, with discounts available to groups, seniors, military, and students. Call the Box Office at 301.924.3400 or visit olneytheatre.org for tickets and information. In addition, Olney offers several special performances that include sign interpretation, audio description, and post-show discussions.

Receiving its area premiere at Olney Theatre Center this summer, The Savannah Disputation is a divine comedy that pits the two sisters, along with their unsuspecting parish priest, against a young Pentecostal missionary who hopes to save them from their idol-worshipping ways. The sisters stage a theological showdown over dinner, proving that God works in hilarious ways.

John Going directs The Savannah Disputation at Olney, where he is Associate Artistic Director. He has staged more than 30 productions here, most recently Night Must Fall and The Millionairess.

EVan Smith's The Savannah Disputation enjoyed a successful run at New York's Playwrights Horizons in 2009, as did his previous plays, Psych and The Uneasy Chair. His other works include Servicemen, Daughters of Genius, and Remedial English. His television pilot, Debs, was a part of Naked TV, produced by Fox TV/Naked Angels. Smith is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and the recipient of a Whiting Award.

Beth Hylton performs as Melissa, the young Pentecostal missionary trying to steer the sisters onto the path to salvation. Beth was last seen at Olney in The Heiress, and has performed locally at the Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre (The Heavens Are Hung in Black), Folger Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and Everyman Theatre.

Playing the roles of the two sisters hell-bent on convincing Melissa that she's wrong are Brigid Cleary (Mary) and Michele Tauber (Margaret). Brigid most recently performed in Da this season at Olney; before that she portrayed Sr. Aloysius in Doubt. She has performed at Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, Round House Theatre, Rep Stage, Studio Theatre, Warner Theatre, Theatre J, and Woolly Mammoth. Michele was last seen at Olney in Cinderella. She recently worked at the McCarter Theatre in A Christmas Carol, and has performed regionally at Syracuse Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and the Cleveland Playhouse, among others.

Jeff Allin performs as Father Murphy, who is unknowingly drawn into the ladies' biblical dispute. His Olney appearances include Of Mice and Men and Stuff Happens. He has also performed locally in the August Wilson Festival at the Kennedy Center, Richard III at Shakespeare Theatre, Permanent Collection at Round House Theatre, Bal Masque at Theatre J, The Seafarer at Studio Theatre, and The Price at CenterStage.

In addition to John Going, the creative team includes James Wolk (Scenic Designer), Liz Covey (Costume Designer), Dennis Parichy (Lighting Designer), G.W. Garcia (Sound Engineer), Anne Nesmith (Wig Designer), Steve Satta (Dialect Coach), and Renee E. Yancey (Stage Manager).

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