Conservatory Theatre Presents Camino Real 11/19-21, 12/2-12

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents Camino Real at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse Nov. 19-21 and Dec. 2-12. A preview performance is open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 18. Camino Real was written by Tennessee Williams and is directed by George Ferencz, a resident director at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company in New York City.

Camino Real unites a cadre of literary figures - from Don Quixote and Casanova to Camille and Esmerelda - in a purgatory-like waiting room that's both a nightmare and an inescapable condition. This place, a long stretch of highway in the middle of nowhere called the Camino Real, is home to corruption, indifference and greed, which have thwarted the attempts of anyone who's ever tried to escape. That is, until Kilroy arrives.

The play premiered on Broadway at the National Theatre on March 17, 1953. Although the reviews were not overwhelming at the time, Ferencz brings a new and refreshing technique to one of Williams's lesser-known works.

"I wanted to apply experimental approaches to an experimental play," said Ferencz.

This "experimental approach" includes incorporating ghouls, zombies and vampires into the play instead of policemen, prostitutes and street cleaners. Ferencz's direction is based on a Day of the Dead theme, to underscore the play's purgatory-like plot.

"Come expecting a surprise," said David Berry, a sophomore musical theatre student playing the role of Kilroy. "It's an experience every theatre-goer needs to have."

Ferencz has been active in New York theatre as a director, producer and teacher for over four decades. Currently, he is a resident director of La Mama E.T.C. where he has directed over 30 productions during the last 28 years and continues as Curator of the La MaMa Experiments Series for a 12th season. Recently he directed the La MaMa productions of Conjur Woman (a blues opera) in New York and Rome. Ferencz has directed at regional theatres including the Actors' Theater of Louisville, Berkeley Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, San Diego Rep and Syracuse Stage and has taught directing at Yale School of Drama, N.Y.U. and Columbia U. and lectured on directing at Cornell, Ohio U., Kent State, Syracuse U., Southern Illinois U., a TCG Conference and an international directors symposium at La MaMa in Umbria in Italy.

Camino Real opens Friday, Nov. 19 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010; there will be no performances the week of Nov. 22. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $18 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.