Montana Repertory Theatre Premieres BROOMSTICK Tonight

The Montana Repertory Theatre, the professional theatre-in-residence in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, at The University of Montana is proud to present the Rolling World Premier of BROOMSTICK by noted New Orleans playwright John Biguenet.

BROOMSTICK tells the tale of a contemporary witch, dealing with a guest from long ago, in her mountain home. This one-person show has been delighting and moving audiences from coast to coast during its year long rolling premier partly sponsored by The National New Play Network.

Is she a good witch or a bad witch? What has actually happened in this little cabin in the mountains of Appalachia? Is she telling the truth or covering up a mysterious and dark past? This marvelous play, part gothic horror tale and part clever and funny character portrait, is written in verse, Iambic pentameter to be precise. This time honored theatre tradition adds to the sheer beauty and poetry of the piece. Think of Shakespeare in a mountain cabin inhabited by a mysterious, witty and possibly dangerous lady with a colorful past.

Playing the role of the witch is Salina Chatlain, veteran of many successes in Missoula and a winner of "Best Actress in Missoula" award. Salina brings great artistry, passion, wit and intelligence to this very demanding and challenging role. Performing the matinees will be Erin Agner, a senior at The University of Montana in the School of Theatre & Dance, The Rep is delighted to give this opportunity to a very talented and promising student. Greg Johnson, artistic director of The Montana Rep, is directing.

The Montana Rep is delighted to once again be partnering with The National New Play Network. In 2012 we partnered with this wonderful organization to present Robert Caisley's HAPPY to critical acclaim and financial success. We are confident that BROOMSTICK will have a similar appeal.

The National New Play Network is the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays. they strive to pioneer, implement and disseminate ideas and programs that revolutionize the way theaters collaborate to support new plays and playwrights.

Since its founding in 1998, NNPN has commissioned eighteen playwrights, provided more than twenty MFA graduates with paid residencies, and supported over 100 productions nationwide through its innovative Continued Life of New Plays Fund, which creates "Rolling World Premieres" of new plays. Through these activities and others, NNPN has granted over a half million dollars to theaters and artists in the past ten years. All told, hundreds of artists have gained employment through these efforts in the 24 regions of the country where NNPN member theaters are located.

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