UNC Hosts 'Table Talk' for PlayMakers Rep's ASSASSINS Tonight

UNC's Program in the Humanities and Human Values has announced a new special event in conjunction with PlayMakers Repertory Company's upcoming Stephen Sondheim musical "Assassins."

"Table Talk: Themes in Performances from Sondheim's 'Assassins'," an evening of dinner, drinks and conversation, will be held 7:00-9:30 p.m. at City Kitchen, 201 S. Estes Dr. in Chapel Hill.

The event pairs fine dining with stimulating conversation headlined by UNC-Chapel Hill David G. Frey Distinguished Professor of Music Tim Carter, and features guided conversation on the themes of the Tony Award-winning musical about political murder and fame in America. Over a four-course meal, discussion on politics, celebrity, art and violence will be interspersed with performances by cast members.

"Assassins" is a theatrical tour-de-force combining Sondheim's signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music with a panoramic story of the culture of celebrity and the violent means some will use to obtain it, embodied by America's four successful and five would-be presidential assassins.

Leading the festivities in insightful conversation will be:

- Carter, on Sondheim and his place in American Musical Theater
(appetizers);
- Cary Levine, Associate Professor of Art History, UNC-Chapel Hill, on Art and Violence (salad);
- Naeemah Clark, Associate Professor of Communications, Elon University, on Violence and Celebrity/Notoriety (entrée); and,
- Joseph Haj, Producing Artistic Director, PlayMakers Repertory Company, on Producing "Assassins" for the Stage (dessert).

Tickets are $75, and include the four-course meal, a welcome cocktail, two glasses of wine, and fascinating conversation. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register online, visit http://humanities.unc.edu/programs/special-event/table-talk/ or call (919)962-1544.

Performances of "Assassins" will be April 2-20 in the Paul Green Theatre at UNC's Center for Dramatic Art, 250 Country Club Road in Chapel Hill. For tickets or information, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org.