New Repertory Theatre Opens BAKERSFIELD MIST, 2/26

Co-producers New Repertory Theatre and Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) will remount the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Bakersfield Mist by Stephen Sachs in the Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts February 26 through March 18, 2012. Opening night will be held on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 7:30pm.

Directed by Jeff Zinn, the Bakersfield Mist cast features area favorites Ken Cheeseman and Paula Langton as Lionel Percy and Maude Gutman, respectively. “This is my third production with a National New Play Network selection,” Zinn explains. “I look forward to their selections every year. What interested me in Bakersfield Mist is the collision between two very different worlds. Yes, he's a ‘left coast’ effete snob and she's trailer trash. They present themselves to the world one way, but there's always so much more going on.”

“The road to co-production with New Rep was quite serendipitous,” Zinn shares. “Ken and Paula are tremendously generous collaborators, willing to try anything and absolutely passionate about the work.”

“We welcome Jeff back to New Rep,” says Managing Director, Harriet Sheets. “This is his third time directing at New Rep. We are proud to be a member of the National New Play Network, and happy to have collaborated with Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre on this production.”

Maude Gutman has bought the ugliest thrift store painting she could get her hands on as a gag gift. After the painting is rejected, Maude tries to offload it at a yard sale where she learns it might be much more than junk—it just might be the “find of the century,” an undiscovered Jackson Pollock painting. When Lionel Percy, a renowned art expert, arrives at Maude’s trailer to investigate the painting’s potential, the two embark on a fiery debate over class, truth, and what we personally perceive as valuable. Inspired by true events, this National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Stephen Sachs asks, what makes a work of art truly authentic?

New Repertory Theatre produces plays that speak powerfully to the essential ideas of our time. Through the passion and electricity of live theater performed to the highest standards of excellence, New Rep expands and challenges the human spirit of both artists and audience. New Rep presents world premieres, contemporary and classic works in several intimate settings. We are committed to education and outreach, including special dedication to the creation of innovative in-school programming and providing access to underserved audiences. New Rep is an active advocate for the arts and a major voice in the national dialogue defining the role of theater in our culture.