Performance Network Theatre Closes THE SEAFARER,7/10

Performance Network Theatre announces its production of the hit drama, "The Seafarer" by Conor McPherson. "The Seafarer" will begin June 10th and run through July 18th, 2010. This Broadway smash stars Hugh Maguire, Richard McWilliams ("The Retreat from Moscow"), Joel Mitchell ("Elizabeth Rex"), Keith Kalinowksi and Aaron Alpern. It is directed by Malcolm Tulip ("Amadeus").

The Seafarer follows four Irish mates on an all-night bender of drinking and poker. Whiskey bottles empty, words fly and their game turns a dark corner when a mysterious stranger wants a piece of the action. This rich, earthy tale - filled with colorful characters and steeped in Irish myth - is darly funny and inspiring.

Weekly performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm, with 3pm matinees on Saturday June 26th and July 10th.

Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at
www.performancenetwork.org or by coming to the Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are priced at $22 - $41, with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups. Thursday, June 10th is the Pay-what-you-can performance with a suggested donation of $10.

"The Seafarer" features set design by Vince Mountain, costume design by Christianne Myers, lighting design by Rob Murphy, sound design by Ken Faulk and properties design by Michelle Bisbee.

This production is generously underwritten by Bob and Marina Whitman.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.

Hugh Maguire is a native of Philadelphia, PA having moved with his family from Los Angeles to Ann Arbor in 2005. His most recent appearance was as Mr. Dussel in the JET production of "The Diary of Anne Frank". Previously, he performed in the Purple Rose Theatre Company's "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Growing Pretty" and "Poetry of Pizza", and the Williamston Theatre's production of "Leaving Iowa." In Los Angeles, Hugh, a member of the Colony Theatre Company, acted in "The Execution of Justice," as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" and others. He had a series leading role in the CBS's "Live-In," a recurring featured role as the hen-pecked barfly ‘Hugh' in "Cheers," and guest starred in "Dallas," "LA Law," "Wings," "Growing Pains," and others. His film work includes featured roles in "Betty Anne Waters," "Butterfly Effect: Revelation," and "Vanishing on 7th Street."

Aaron H. Alpern - "The Seafarer" marks Aaron's debut with Performance Network. Recently Aaron played Frederick in Meadowbrook Theatre's production of "Enchanted April." In Chicago Aaron has been seen as, Prospero in "The Tempest" (First Folio), The Player King in "Hamlet" (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Eddie in "Halcyon Days" (Timeline), Morell in "Candida" (Circle), Shylock in "Merchant Of Venice" (Shakespeare's Motley Crew), and at Writers Theatre as Bill in "The Frog Prince" and Shirmnov in "The Bear," as well as performing as an understudy in "The Chosen," "The Puppetmaster of Lodz," "Doctors Dilemma," "As You Like It" and "Rocket to the Moon." Regional credits include Bill in "Bea's Niece" (Next Act-Milwaukee), Martin in "Substance Of Fire" (Northern Stage-Milwaukee), Gavronsky in "I.D." (Quantum-Pittsburgh), Paul in "Misery" (Apollo Fine Arts-Peoria), Cooper in "Denial" (Jewish Ensemble-Detroit), Banquo in "Macbeth" (Theatre at the Center-Munster), Lenny in "Mice And Men," (P.C.P.A.-Santa Maria). Aaron has served as Guest Artist for the Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival as the title role in "Cymbeline" and for Hillsdale College as Prospero in "The Tempest." Aaron received his M. F. A. in Acting from The California Institute for the Arts and his Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan. After many years away Aaron is as pleased as punch to be working in his old hometown.

Malcolm Tulip is an actor, director, playwright and teacher. At Performance Network he has directed "Amadeus," "Retreat From Moscow," "Mrs. Shakespeare: The Complete Works," "Humble Boy," "The Threepenny Opera," "Man of La Mancha," Timothy Findlay's "Elizabeth Rex," Yasmina Reza's "Art," Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," "Private Eyes" by Stephen Dietz and "The Caretaker" by Harold Pinter. He has also directed "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. He has also written, produced and performed in eight original plays under the name of Prospero Theatre Co., including the award-winning "Down the Plughole." He is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Directing Concentration in the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Michigan, where he teaches Physical Theatre, Acting, Clown and Directing and where he has directed "Two by Fassbinder," "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," "You Can't Take It With You," "The Burial at Thebes," "The Rover," "The Diary of a Scoundrel," "The Imaginary Invalid," "The Good Person of Szechwan," "Lysistrata" and "The Visit." As an actor he has toured extensively in Europe and the USA. More recently, in the U.S. he has performed at Performance Network ("Amadeus," "I Am My Own Wife," "Copenhagen," "The White Rose," "Molly Sweeney"), The Purple Rose ("Blithe Spirit") and the New Jersey and Michigan Shakespeare Festivals. Malcolm studied Dance and Art at Goldsmiths' College, University of London and is a graduate of L'École Jacques Lecoq, Paris. He is also a member of American Actors Equity.

Photo credit: Peter Smith

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