The Firehouse Theatre Presents CRUMBLE (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake)

The Firehouse Theatre will explore complex themes of loss and reclamation when the third production of its 2009-10 season, "Crumble (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake)", opens on Feb. 25.

Blurring the lines between mother and those needing mothering, award-winning playwright Sheila Callaghan tells the story of 11-year old Janice, whose father has recently died, and her devastated mom, who trusts in superior baking skills as the key to healing. While her mother fires up the oven and dreams of Harrison Ford, Janice dreams of Justin Timberlake and compiles a very strange, very explosive Christmas wish list. Toss a crumbling, mercurial apartment into the mix, and the road to redemption is a twisted one, indeed.

"Crumble is one of the most unique and moving plays ever to be brought to Richmond theatre audiences," said Carol Piersol, the Firehouse's founding artistic director. "Sheila Callaghan gives life to characters and events that are at once tragic and entertaining - but always believable."

This dynamic play runs Feb. 25-March 20, with shows at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Tickets are $25 each for adults, $22 for seniors 65 and older, and $10 for students and RAPT members with ID. Two "pay-what-you-will" performances are scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, and Sunday, March 14.

Tickets are available at www.firehousetheatre.org or by calling 804-355-2001. Half-season subscription and group discounts are available.

Sheila Callaghan is a New York City-based playwright whose works have earned her numerous honors including the Princess Grace Award. The New York Times has said Callaghan "writes with a world-weary tone and has a poet's gift for economical description." She has been profiled by prominent theatre media including American Theater Magazine, and has taught playwriting and English at the University of Rochester, the College of New Jersey, Spalding University, Brooklyn College, LaGuardia Community College, and Florida State University.

Directed by long-time Firehouse associate Bill Patton, Crumble features Christina Billew, Frank Creasy, Matt Hackman, Lisa Kotula, and Jen Meharg.

This Firehouse production is a proud part of the Acts of Faith Festival (www.theactsoffaith.org)and Minds Wide Open (www.vamindswideopen.org).

Following are additional special events scheduled so far around this performance:

- Opening night on Thursday, Feb. 25, will be catered by Carytown Cupcakes.
- Acts of Faith talk-backs are scheduled for immediately following performances on Friday, Feb. 26, and Sunday, March 14.
- Paintings by artist Terry Powers will be displayed in the theatre throughout the production.

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