GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK Will Present New England Premiere at The Public Theatre
Brigid Cleary stars in Catherine Bush's play about the first woman to solo-thru hike the Appalachian Trail
The Public Theatre will present the New England premiere of Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk, the true and inspiring story about the first woman to solo-thru hike the Appalachian Trail.
In 1955 at the age of 67, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood told her children she was “going for a walk”, put on her Keds sneakers, picked up her home-sewn duffel bag and hiked 2,050 miles through 14 states from Georgia to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
This inspiring theatrical adventure by playwright Catherine Bush brings to life the challenges and triumphs Emma “Grandma” Gatewood faced in her life on and off the trail, including all the characters who played a part in her incredible journey.
“This is an amazing story of a remarkable woman” says Director and Public Theatre Artistic Director Janet Mitchko. “This play is a true story about the resiliency of the human spirit that will remind everyone that we are never too old to change our life or pursue our dream. Grandma Gatewood had the courage to take a first step and keep going, and I guarantee you'll be cheering her on when you see her standing onstage at the top of Mt. Katahdin.”
Demand for tickets has been so high that The Public Theatre has added two weekday matinees to accommodate the demand for tickets.
Playing the demanding role of Grandma Gatewood will be BRIGID CLEARY. Brigid is a 4-time Helen Hayes nominee in Washington DC and has appeared in leading roles in over 40 productions spanning nearly 5 decades at major professional regional theatres including Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Mark Taper Forum, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Woolly Mammoth, among many others.
Playing the multiple roles of the many people in Grandma Gatewood's life will be ROBERT PESCOVITZ. Robert has guest starred on many television series and is currently appearing as Robert Morgenthau on Ryan Murphy's series Love Story. Robert has worked extensively in regional theaters including The Old Globe Shakespeare Festival under the direction of Adrian Noble, former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and most recently as Henry Lehman in The Lehman Trilogy at A.C.T. in Seattle. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Lead Performance.
The gorgeous world of the Appalachian Trail comes to life onstage with the help of set designer Erik Diaz, lighting designer Brackley Frayer, sound designer Katie Quan-Yu Chen, and Costume Designer Frederica Johnson.
The Public Theatre's annual Silent Auction will be happening in the lobby during the run of the production May 8 - 17. For tickets and more information about Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk, visit thepublictheatre.org or call the box office at (207) 782-3200.
Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk is sponsored by Androscoggin Bank, Dirigo RMS, Alice's Awesome Adventures, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Maine Public, and Schooner Estates.
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