The REP Presents Mercy and the Firefly

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Mercy and the Firefly, written by Amy Hartman, at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse April 1 - 17 with a preview performance open to the public on Thursday, March 31; it is directed by Melissa Martin, an award-winning producer/writer/director working in independent film and theatre.

Clashing gangs have turned East Los Angeles into a violent war-zone; no one is safe. At Our Mother of Sorrows High School, Mercy witnesses the brutal murder of her classmate. Their history teacher, Sister Lucy, grief-stricken herself and determined to save Mercy's life, kidnaps her in the convent station wagon, bringing her home to her mother, Vivian, in Homestead, Pa. But when the child does not adapt gracefully. Lucy begins to blame and then starve her. Mercy and the Firefly is a chilling tale and tasking journey through neglect, rage, loss, forgiveness and love. Brutally funny and heartbreaking, audiences will laugh until they cry.

The cast consists of Chelsea Mervis as Mercy Clark; Shammen (Sharon) McCune as Lucy Raftery; Penelope Lindblom as Vivian Raftery; and Patrick Jordan as Oliver Hill. Stephanie Mayer-Staley is the scenic designer; Michael Montgomery is the costume designer; Andrew David Ostrowski is the lighting designer; and StEve Shapiro is the sound designer.

Mercy and the Firefly received its world premiere in February 2011 at Luna Stage in West Orange, N.J. as part of the theater's new play program.

Mercy and the Firefly opens with a preview performance on Thursday, March 31; the show runs from April 1 - 17 in the Studio Theater. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $24 to $27 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Patrons can take advantage of "pay what you will" on Saturday, April 2 for the 2 p.m. performance (subject to availability). Dunkin Donuts is sponsoring a talkback on Friday, April 8.

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