Quintessence Presents THE DIARY OF A MADMAN, Beginning 2/13

Quintessence Theatre Group continues its third season of progressive classical theatre with Gogol's THE DIARY OF A MADMAN, directed by Alexander Burns. THE DIARY OF A MADMAN will begin previews on Wednesday, February 13 at 7pm and open on Saturday, February 16 at 8pm at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.877.238.5596.

Poprishchin is a disenchanted civil servant. He is single, out of money, losing his hair, and unable to secure a promotion. In the evening he vents his frustration in his diary. Entries shift from belittling reports of his superiors, to his obsession with his boss' daughter, to a suspicion that dogs can talk. When Poprishchin reads that the King of Spain has died without an heir, he realizes his destiny and declares himself King Ferdinand VIII.

Known for his play THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, Nikolai Gogol's 1835 short story remains shockingly relevant and comedic. Part clown show, part social satire, part tragedy, playwright David Holman adapts THE DIARY OF A MADMAN into a masterful send up of bureaucracy and a raw account of one man's descent into madness. In 1994 Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush, director Neil Armfield, and celebrated playwright David Holman adapted Gogol's classic tale for the Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney, Australia. In 2013, Quintessence will take the adaptation a step further by pulling Gogol's madman into the 21st century. Exploiting the world of social media, Quintessence will explore how technology has provided its confessional poets, diarists, and madmen with a New Medium and an avid audience.

As Quintessence continues to establish a resident ensemble of actors, we are excited to announce the return of two Quintessence favorites: Daniel Fredrick (Cassio in OTHELLO, Lelio in THE VENETIAN TWINS, Gratiano in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE) as Poprischin and Rachel Brodeur (celebrated for her performance as Nina in Quintessence's THE SEAGULL) as the women. THE DIARY OF A MADMAN's artistic team includes costume designer Jane Casanave and lighting designer John Burkland.

Quintessence Theatre Group is a professional classical theatre, dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of classic literature and drama for the Contemporary Stage, igniting the mind, body and soul through the power of the actor, design and spoken word.

Quintessence Theatre Group's third season includes the presentation of four classic plays of soaring passion and reckless ambition. The season began with Quintessence's celebrated all-male production of Shakespeare's OTHELLO and will conclude this spring with The Chocolate and Champagne Repertory: Shaw's ARMS AND THE MAN and Molière's THE MISANTHROPE in an adaptation by Martin Crimp. Each play explores the idea of pride in its positive and negative manifestations, exposing and celebrating the potential glory and ultimate fallibility of humankind.

THE DIARY OF A MADMAN plays February 13 - March 10. A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will be presented on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00pm. Post show discussions with the cast and director will take place on Thursday, February 21 and Sunday, March 3.

Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm.

Tickets are $30, $20 for seniors (65 and over), $15 for youth (25 and under). $10 industry and student rush tickets may be purchased at the box office one hour before the performance pending availability. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call1.877.238.5596. For information on any of the performances or above events please email BoxOffice@QuintessenceTheatre.org.

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