John Manfredi, Star of 'An Iliad', Shares His Secrets at Backstage Cafe 10/20

Performance Network Theatre invites audiences to join Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch and the star of "An Iliad" John Manfredi in the Backstage Cafe for an intimate interview about Manfredi's triumphant challenge as the star of a one-man-show on October 20, 2013 immediately following the Sunday matinee performance of "An Iliad" (approximately 3:30pm). Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at performancenetwork.org or by calling 734-663-0681. Admission includes a cup of complimentary coffee from Mighty Good Cafe to sip during the discussion.

The Backstage Cafe takes place at Performance Network Theatre (on 120 E. Huron Street) and is an opportunity for audiences to get a behind-the-scenes look at Performance Network's critically acclaimed productions from the artists who make them possible.

Manfredi is garnering much attention for his role as The Poet in "An Iliad," a one-man-show modern adaptation of Homer's "Iliad" by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Har. A four star review from the Detroit Free Press, Manfredi's performance in "An Iliad" has been called a "one-man triumph".

About the artist:
John is thrilled to be back at the Performance Network where audiences may remember him from productions of "K2" and "A Picasso", he is equally thrilled to be reunited with director Tim Rhoze ("K2"). A professional actor, director, producer, choreographer and writer John has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. He was recently fortunate enough to garner work due to the excellent although now dead film incentive program in the state of Michigan with featured roles in the films "Real Steel" with Hugh Jackman, "Game of Death" with Wesley Snipes as well as "Ides of March" with George Clooney and most recently "The Great and Powerful Oz" directed by Sam Raimi. Theatrically he has been seen recently in the critically acclaimed productions of "End Days" at Williamston and JET Theatres for which he garnered Best Actor awards from Encore Michigan and the Lansing City Pulse, "The Empire Builders" at The Theatre Company in Detroit, "Oedipus" at Williamston Theatre among others. For a decade of summers John has directed a series of family productions for Palace Sports and Entertainment at the Meadow Brook Music Festival that have included; "Good Night Moon", "The Chronicles of Narnia" and two of his original adaptations "Untangled: The True Story of Rapunzel" and "Puss 'n Boots, The Master Cat". This year the company moved the series to Detroit and the City Theatre with their production of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Now in his twelfth year an adjunct professor At Oakland University he has participated in many productions including "Zastrozzi", "Bloody Bess" and "Romeo and Juliet" receiving recognition from the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and the American College Theatre Festival for his work with students. As a fight choreographer his work has been seen on -stage and in many films and television shows including, "Unsolved Mysteries", "Thou Shalt Not Kill...", "The Pirates of Penzance", "Don Giovanni", "Macbeth", "Henry V, Peter Pan", "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol" and "Hill Street Blues". John's work on "An Iliad" is dedicated to every Union actor working in the regions busting their butt at small professional theatres across the country, much like Performance Network Theatre.

Backstage Cafe takes place on Sunday, October 20 at approximately 3:30pm. Tickets are $10 and $5 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at performancenetwork.org or by calling the box office at 734-663-0681.

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