Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company Presents Henrik Ibsen’s Rosmersholm

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit is proud to present Rosmersholm, written by famed playwright Henrik Ibsen. The production, directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates, runs September 16-October 9, 2011. Rosmersholm will be presented at 1515 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226. Tickets are $15-$18, with pay-what-you-can tickets available at all performances. Tickets may be reserved by phone at 313-408-7269 or at www.magentagiraffe.org.

Rosmersholm, by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates, runs from September 16-October 9, 2011. This rarely staged play by the master dramatist takes aim at how political motivations can destroy relationships and lives. Johannes Rosmer, whose insane wife committed suicide one year ago, lives at his familial estate with a housekeeper and Rebecca West, friend and caretaker of his late wife. Rosmer and Rebecca have enjoyed a platonic comradeship through the years that is shattered by the entrance of his brother-in-law, Professor Kroll. Kroll asks Rosmer to become editor of his conservative newspaper, but Rosmer refuses, bringing about a number of startling revelations about his late wife, local political figures, Rebecca's past and the impact all of this has on everyone's future. Sigmund Freud wrote a well-known essay on the psychology that motivates the character of Rebecca West. Rosmersholm provides an intense examination of the all-too familiar territories of radical politics, human relationships and psychology. Audience members familiar with Ibsen's work will not want to miss this piece that, while obscure, is considered by many to be one of his masterpieces. Audience members not familiar with Ibsen's work will enjoy this unique introduction.

"We are thrilled to present this play from the ‘father of modern theatre' that audiences rarely have a chance to see," says Executive Artistic Director Frannie Shepherd-Bates. "The political climate in 1880s Norway was not unlike that which is currently prevalent in the United States. Ibsen wrote this play as a result of what he witnessed there: after a liberal government replaced one that was conservative, extreme politics tore friends and families apart. Ibsen's views on these events are beautifully painted in this dark and intriguing play that is full of mystery, symbolism and complex psychology."

The cast includes Jon Ager (Bloomfield Hills), Dave Davies (Warren), Keith Kalinowski (Ann Arbor), Alysia Kolascz (Ann Arbor), Dominique Lowell (Royal Oak) and Richard Payton (Bloomfield Hills). Katie Orwig exhibits her scenic design; lighting by Neil Koivu; costumes by Barbie Amann Weisserman.

Performance schedules of Rosmersholm will be Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. There will be one Sunday matinee on October 2. Tickets will be $18 General Admission and $15 Student/Senior/Industry, with pay-what-you-can tickets available to all performances. Subscriptions are available at the Industry price of $15 per production and include a FREE Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company t-shirt. Please visit www.magentagiraffe.org <http://www.magentagiraffe.org> or e-mail info@magentagiraffe.org for more information.

Exact dates and times of performances are as follows:

Friday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 17, at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, September 23, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 24, at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, September 30, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 1, at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 2, at 3:00 p.m.
Friday, October 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 8, at 8:00 p.m.

Rosmersholm will take place at 1515 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call 313-408-7269 or visit www.magentagiraffe.org.

ABOUT Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company - The Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization that acts to eliminate apathy, violence, prejudice and barriers to education through theatre productions, projects and programs; and further acts to reestablish and expand Detroit's theatre district.

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