Willy Russell's Award Winning 'Educating Rita'

EDUCATING RITA, By Willy Russell

The Key West Players/Waterfront Playhouse

May 9 to May 26 (Wed. to Sat.) at 8:30.

 

            The Waterfront Playhouse will conclude its smash season with the charming comedy, Educating Rita by Willy Russell. The play will be directed by the Key West Players' Artistic Director, Danny Weathers and will star two of Key West's finest actors, Claire Carroll and David Black. Educating Rita will open on Wednesday, May 9^th and run through May 26^th (Wednesdays through Saturday) at 8:30 pm. The Sunday Times calls Educating Rita "a marvelous play, hilariously funny and passionately serious."

            Educating Rita is the story of a brash and earthy hairdresser who decides there has to be more to life than bleaching roots and fluffing perms. Rita embarks on a quest for knowledge that will lead her to a better life. After enrolling in an Open University course she is assigned to Frank, a disillusioned professor who is fond of classic literature and scotch. Frank reluctantly agrees to take on this "barely educated" woman. In her attempts to appreciate literature, Rita challenges the attitudes of traditional teaching, causing Frank to question his own understanding of his work and himself. Together they find themselves on a roller coaster ride of self discovery with "deft moments of comedy that are simply refreshing." (The Times).

            Educating Rita was first commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and opened in 1980, quickly transferring to London 's West End where it ran for two and a half years. It won multiple awards for Best Comedy and Best Play. Eventually Educating Rita was made into an Oscar nominated movie starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine, both of whom won Golden Globes as Best Actress & Best Actor, respectively, and were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress Oscars.

            Playwright Willy Russell won an Oscar for his screenplay for the film of Educating Rita, as well as numerous theatrical awards. He is also the author of the long-running London musical, Blood Brothers as well as the one-woman tour-de-force, Shirley Valentine, which locally starred Joan O'Dowd at The Red Barn Theatre.

            Director Danny Weathers recently directed the Waterfront's mega-hit Urinetown, the Musical. As Artistic Director for the Key West Players, he has also directed Lettice and Lovage, Equus, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Little Shop of Horrors and The Glass Menagerie. He is the former Artistic Director for The Founder's Society where he directed Forum and Don't Dress For Dinner. For the Red Barn Theatre he has directed Jeffery, Falsettoland and The Food Chain.

            Claire Carroll made a splash last year in her Key West debut in the Waterfront's production of Lettice and Lovage as the title character, Lettice Douffet. Later in the season she played the acerbic Suzanne in Monnie King's original play, Mother's Gift. She also appeared this season in multiple roles in the Waterfront's world premiere of Carl Hiaasen's Lucky You. She's currently the "weather girl" for Comcast Spotlight Channel 19, as well as promoting local arts on her weekend round-up. She has extensive credits on the London stage and is a member of British Equity.

            David Black is one of the busiest actors in town. He recently appeared as Officer Lockstock in Urinetown. He was also in Carl Hiaasen's Lucky You at the Waterfront, as well as A Tuna Christmas, Pippin, The Laramie Project and The Complete Bible, abridged. In February he was featured in the Key West Pops' concert of Follies. He appeared in the Founder's production of Forum and Whoop-Dee-Doo! For the Red Barn he appeared in the tour-de-force one man show, Fully Committed, as well as The Spitfire Grill, The Memory of Water and Swimming In The Shallows.  

            Michael Boyer, the scenic designer for the Waterfront Playhouse, will create another of his spectacular sets, while Carmen Rodriguez will design the costumes. Kyle Caskey and Teddy Hyrmny are the props masters and Lisa Alderdice will be stage manager.

            The opening night of May 9^th will feature a gala reception sponsored by Tom and  Kathy Cawley with catering by Great Events and held in the courtyard in front of the theatre post-performance. For tickets to opening night or any other performance, call the box office at 305-294-5015 or book online at www.waterfrontplayhouse.com. Call the box office for details on their local's discount for Wednesday performances (excluding opening night).

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