FRANKENSTEIN Comes To Life At The Barter Theatre 9/25

Straight from Mary Shelley's beloved novel, Richard Rose's adaptation tells the tale of the experimental creature brought to life in Frankenstein beginning at Barter Theatre September 25.

When Victor Frankenstein becomes obsessed with scientifically creating human life in his laboratory, the birth of his creature leads to the death of all he holds dear. Moving, frightening yet humorous, this audience favorite is a haunting examination of what it means to be human and what happens when man plays God.

Filled with gothic horror, adventure, romance, science fiction and a riveting story of the struggle between a father and his son (the creator and his creation), one can understand why Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has been one of the most widely read and most frequently adapted novels of all time. Barter's production will closely follow Shelley's novel as it explores the power of creation and death, the need to be loved and the scientific discoveries that changed the world of possibility.

Central to the telling of Mary Shelley's tale will be Nicholas Piper's portrayal of the Creature - enhanced by incredible make-up and intricate costume that is both horrifying and realistic. Piper is known for his previous roles in Dracula!, Man of Constant Sorrow and Of Mice and Men.

Along with Piper, Frankenstein will boast a stellar cast. Ezra Colón will portray Victor Frankenstein, the doctor who gave life to the Creature. Colón has been seen in Barter productions of Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell; Disney's Beauty and the Beast and The Fantasticks. Hannah Ingram, from Evita, The Wizard of Oz and Disney's Beauty and the Beast will play the role of Elizabeth, Victor's love. Nathan Whitmer, a recent addition to Barter and a Barter Player, will take on the role of Henry, Victor's best friend. Frankenstein also will feature Tricia Matthews, Eugene Wolf, Jasper McGruder, Lea S. Anderson, Taprena Augustine, Dayna J. Dantzler, Bryan Pridgen, Carrie Smith and Emelie Faith Thompson.

Five local children will play the younger characters in this production: Mchale Parrish of Bluff City, Lily Brock of Gray, Logan Fritz of Abingdon, Madison Lawson of Wise and Matthew Torbett of Piney Flats.

Richard Rose, Barter's producing artistic director, adapted and directs this fall production. Rose's previous adapting and directing credits during his seventeen-year tenure at Barter include successful productions of Jane Eyre, Dracula!, It's A Wonderful Life, Lear, Othello and A Christmas Carol. When first presented in 1998, Rose's Frankenstein was selected as one of the ten best new plays in American regional theatre.

The State Theatre of Virginia, the world famous Barter Theatre is celebrating its 76th anniversary season of producing professional non-profit theatre in the Appalachian Region. Known for outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas, new and Appalachian works and award-winning educational programming, Barter Theatre, Barter Stage II and The Barter Players present programs several times a week, and patrons can see up to five shows in two days in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Escape to another world at Barter Theatre!

Frankenstein is sponsored by Highlands Union Bank, CGI, 11 Connects, Bristol Herald Courier, TriCities.com, The Business Journal and Rock 102.5. Barter Theatre is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Contact Barter's Box Office at (276) 628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com <http://www.bartertheatre.com> for more information and show times or to pick your seats and books your tickets online.

Who: Barter Theatre
What: Frankenstein
When: September 25 - November 14
Where: Barter Theatre in historic downtown Abingdon, Va.
How Much: Adult tickets are $28, $32, $36. Children's tickets are $17. Group rates are available, as well as discounts for students and seniors.

 

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