HAY FEVER Opens On UMW Mainstage 5/4-9

The UWM Mainstage Theatre Series concludes its season with the style and sophistication of "Hay Fever," by Noël Coward, May 4-9. Directed by Peck School of the Arts Assistant Professor of Acting Rebecca Holderness, the play is a Coward classic and stylish comedy of bad manners, focusing on the glamorous and artistic Bliss family and their hapless houseguests. One weekend at the Bliss estate is enough to temporarily derange the romantic and marital landscape and send the guests fleeing - leaving their hosts comfortably indulging their eccentricities.

To help inspire the cast and crew as they prepared for the upcoming production, Holderness and Jeff Lieder, associate professor and head of costume production, arranged a special first read-through and tour at the renowned Ten Chimneys, the historic Wisconsin estate of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne where Coward was a frequent visitor - an opportunity made possible through the generosity of the Ten Chimneys Foundation.

"Having students review the script for the first time surrounded by photos of Lunt, Fontanne and Coward himself allowed them to immediately connect to the play, its characters, and its unique use of language" said Holderness. "Acting students - who often seem more focused on the art of texting than the art of conversation - are just as interested in language as their counterparts in the 1920s, making this show a perfect study for them. While they may live a life saturated with language, albeit Twittered, e-mailed or texted, it did not take a great deal of effort to leap into Coward's world and turn their interest to wit expressed in spoken language."

Chicago guest scenic designer Kurt Sharp returned to UWM to create an elegant and theatrical Art Deco-inspired Bliss house, which is complemented by lovely costuming and detailed decor. With three short acts and two intermissions, Holderness and her students have composed little genre works, or "knee plays," between acts that are accompanied by Lord Noël's wonderful music.

"Each performance of ‘Hay Fever' will truly be a production that refreshes the senses, sharpens the wits and revels in spring," adds Holderness. "This play of elegance, musicality, incisive humor and bad manners is both interesting and compelling to them, as a story that has at its heart a certain bittersweet yearning for the romantic assignation...however ill-considered."

Performance Dates, Tickets, and Parking Information
Performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. A pre-performance talk on Wednesday, May 5, at 6:45 p.m. is free with admission. Single tickets are $15/general admission and $9/students, seniors and alumni. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 414-229-4308 or in person at the Peck School of the Arts box office in the Zelazo Center, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. The satellite box office in the Mainstage Theatre lobby will open one hour prior to performances. The Mainstage Theatre is located in the Arts Center, 2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.

About the Cast and Production team
Cast members and their roles are Rich Gillard, David Bliss; Max Hultquist, Simon Bliss; Megan Kaminsky, Sorel Bliss; Toni Martin, Judith Bliss; Tommy Stevens, Richard Greatham; Margeaux Reed, Myra Arundel; Linever Thurman, Jackie Coryton; Evan Koepnick, Sandy Tyrell; and Jessica Monk, Clara.

The production team includes BranDon Campbell, stage manager; Bethany Davey and Meredith Roat, assistant stage managers; Samantha Humburg, production assistant; Meghan Baskett, assistant director; Ryan Antross, research assistant; Kurt Sharp, scenic designer; Pamela Rehberg, costume designer; Stephen R. White, lighting designer; and Chris Guse, sound designer.

About the Peck School Theatre Department
Graduates of the Peck School Theatre Department can be found on the stage and in production capacities in almost every theatrical organization in the region, including The Rep, American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage Children's Theater, Renaissance Theater works, and In Tandem Theatre Company. The program regularly collaborates with area companies and graduates about 40 students per year. Specialized, intensive study is available to students seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting, Technical Production, or Costume Production. The Department also offers a broad-based education, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design, Stage Management, Applied Theatre, PK4-12 Education or Performance-related Studies.