The REP Presents THE LONESOME WEST, 2/11-27

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, presents The Lonesome West, written by Martin McDonagh, at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse Feb. 11 - 27 with a preview performance open to the public on Thursday, Feb. 10; it is directed by Kim Martin.
 
Forty year-old playwright Martin McDonagh has quickly become the fresh voice of post-modern Ireland, complete with dialect, unforgettable characters and black humor.  The last installment in his Leenane Trilogy, The Lonesome West centers around two twisted and constantly arguing brothers, Valene and Coleman Connor, who are plagued by their father's recent death in an 'accident' and the events that follow.  Darkly funny, their small-village priest attempts to fix their relationship, which may be just as permanently broken as Valene's beloved saint figurine collection.
 
The cast consists of Philip Winters as Coleman Connor, David Cabot as Valene Connor, Dave Droxler as Father Welsh and Maggie Ryan as Girleen Kelleher.  Lindsey B. Mayer is the scenic designer; Cathleen Crocker-Perry is the costume designer; Andrew David Ostrowski is the lighting designer; StEve Shapiro is the sound designer; and Randy Kovitz is the fight director. 
 
Steve Tolin, owner and operator of Tolin FX, a Pittsburgh-based special effects design and fabrication shop, is the FX artist for the show.  Tolin will be creating the special effects for a gunshot blast and explosion.  He is a Pittsburgh native who has worked extensively in film and theatre.  He has become known for his theatre effects work namely on The Lieutenant of Inishmore, which has led him to travel around the globe.  Tolin is also working on a kinetic sculpture for the spring flower show at Phipps and is co-producer of the movie It Came From Yesterday, which was shot entirely in Pittsburgh on green screen, and is in the final stages of production.  
The Lonesome West opens with a preview performance on Thursday, Feb. 10; the show runs from Feb. 11 to Feb. 27 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, Feb. 12 for the 2 p.m. performance.  Dunkin Donuts is sponsoring a talkback on Friday, Feb. 18.