Detroit Mercy Theatre Company Opens Its 48th Season With A Michigan Premiere

The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company opens their 48th season with the Michigan Premiere of Wittenberg, September 28 - October 14, written by David Davalos. Performances will be at The Marlene Boll Theatre inside the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit.

It is October 1517 and the start of another fall semester at the University of Wittenberg. Hamlet (senior, Class of 1518), John Faustus (professor, philosophy) and Martin Luther (professor, theology) find themselves at personal and professional crossroads.

Hamlet returns from his summer break suffering from metaphysical trauma and a crisis of faith. At the same time, Faustus nurses long-held affections for his mistress while Luther reaches the apex of his long-simmering outrage at the Church. The overlapping and intertwining saga of these three men could decisively alter the course of each other's lives. Wittenberg is a revealing comedy about the story behind the stories of Hamlet, Doctor Faustus and the Protestant Reformation.

Wittenberg runs Sept. 28 - Oct. 14 with performances at 7:30 p.m. on September 28 and 29, and October 5, 6, 12 and13; and at 3:00 p.m. on September 30 and October 7 and 14.

Directed by Professor of Theatre, Arthur J. Beer, Ph.D., the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's cast - a collective of artists composed of faculty, guest artists and students from the acclaimed University of Detroit Mercy acting program - includes professionals Jonathan Davidson as Dr. Faustus and Dale Dobson as Martin Luther. Students include Roman D'Ambrosio as Hamlet, Nina Carlson as Gretchen, Bridget Smith as Helen of Troy and Voice of Mary, Christian Plonka as Tennis Judge and Lord Voltemand, and Dalton Hahn as Laertes.

The production team features Assistant Professor Melinda Pacha as scenic and costume designer, Alan Devlin as technical director and sound designer, Seth Amadei as lighting designer, Taylor LaPorte as stage manager and Preston Cornelius as assistant stage manager. Other members of the production team are Associate Professor Greg Grobis as managing director, Damian Torres-Botello, S.J., as outreach and audience development coordinator and Evans Tasiopoulos as ticket office coordinator and photographer.

Wittenberg events and special engagements include:

Sept. 28 - Opening Night Cast Party: Celebrate opening weekend and join the cast, crew and creative team at a nearby restaurant in downtown Detroit! Participate in a company toast from the director and with DMTC company members, supporters and friends.

Sept. 29 - Detroit Mercy Alumni Night: If you are an alumni of the University of Detroit Mercy your ticket for this evening's performance is only $15. And then catch up with old friends after the show.

Sept. 30 Act Three - Anatomy of a Play: After the performance, explore themes and relevance of the production through the eyes of the creative team as they share their vision. The audience will also be invited to ask the cast questions about the development of their characters in this play about debate, faith, reason and tennis.

Oct. 5 - Community Night: In gratitude for our Detroit community, tickets for this evening's performance are only $15.

Oct. 7 Detroit Theatre Discussion Project - Catholicism without Myth: The Making of a Protestant Jesuit: Remain after the show to navigate the intersectionality of Catholicism and Protestantism through the eyes of Jesuit priest, Justin Kelly, S.J., Detroit Mercy's associate professor of religious studies. Learn how our spiritual and faith journeys can be beautifully influenced by another faith tradition, enhancing our beliefs and strengthening our lives.

Oct. 13 - Community Night Mingle: In gratitude for our Detroit community, tickets for this evening's performance are $15. And, after this performance, enjoy a post-show reception in the lobby, an opportunity to meet the cast & crew and build community.

More information about events and special engagements can be found at www.TheTheatreCo.com.

Tickets to Wittenberg can be purchased online at www.DetroitMercyArts.com or over the phone at 313-993-3270. Individual ticket prices are $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for veterans and $10 for students (with valid ID). Discounts are available for groups of 10-15 and special rates for groups larger than 15. To schedule your group, contact Damian Torres-Botello for further details at 313-993-3273.

Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's 48th season will be presented at The Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family YMCA at 1401 Broadway St. in Detroit. This intimate black box theatre seats an audience between 90-120 people depending on the production. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Due to limited seating, patrons are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

Detroit Mercy Theatre Company Ticket office is located in Room 43 in Reno Hall on University of Detroit Mercy's McNichols Campus. Hours are Wednesdays - Fridays; Noon - 5 pm. To order tickets call 313-993-3270.