2nd Story Theatre Presents THE BELLE OF AMHERST 6/3-27

2nd Story Theatre returns to the majestic Bristol Statehouse in Bristol, RI for "The Belle of Amherst" by William Luce, the Tony award-winning show about the inspirational Emily Dickinson. All proceeds benefit 2nd Story Theatre in raising funds to install air-conditioning at its theatre in Warren, RI. Pat Hegnauer, co-founder and former Artistic Director of 2nd Story, takes the reigns as director for this special event with Christin Goff, last seen at 2nd Story in the title role of Shaw's "Major Barbara" (2006-2007), as America's leading poetess, Emily Dickinson. Don't miss this opportunity to meet an American pioneer in an historic American landmark.

"The Belle of Amherst" by William Luce runs June 3 - June 27, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm. All tickets are $25. The Bristol Statehouse is located at 240 High St., Bristol, RI. For tickets, please contact 2nd Story Theatre at 401-247-4200 or boxoffice@2ndStoryTheatre.com. Visit the website at www.2ndStoryTheatre.com. The Bristol Statehouse is a fully accessible venue.

2nd Story Theatre is partially sponsored by Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

"I am delighted to be back in Bristol and directing ‘The Belle of Amherst' for 2nd Story Theatre," says director Pat Hegnauer. "Emily Dickinson aroused my interest in poetry when I was a child. I was so entranced with her wit, her ability to create drama in a few lines, and the way she made the world personal for me. I felt as if she was writing for me, and isn't that what a great poet does?"

2nd Story is currently raising funds to install air-conditioning for the start of its 2010 Summer Series. "Air-conditioning represents the last big safety and comfort feature to bring our building in Warren into the 21st century," says 2nd Story Artistic Director Ed Shea. "It's time to do this for the comfort of our actors and our audience."

Emily Dickinson welcomes you to share her special recipe for black cake. And in doing so, she shares her eccentric, quiet, and thoughtful life, from ages 15 through 56, as the Belle of Amherst in this riveting Tony award-winning one-woman show. Undaunted by heartache and loneliness, this intelligent recluse, who teasingly perpetuates the myth of being ‘Squire Edward's half-cracked daughter', delights her audience with revelations of her family, her life, and most importantly her beloved poetry. Beautifully and seamlessly weaving between past and present, this play captures the spirit of one of our country's most innovative and soulful poets.

PAT HEGNAUER, Director of "The Belle of Amherst"

Pat Hegnauer co-founded 2nd Story Theatre in 1978 and served as its Artistic Director for over twenty years. Presently she teaches acting and writes plays, poetry, and fiction. Her plays have been produced at theatres in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New York City. Her poems have been published in The Crone's Nest, Skywriters Journal, Moondance, Scriveners Pen, Newport Review, Saucy Vox, Wicked Alice, Adagio Verse Quarterly, and Rhode Island Roads. Her first poetry Chapbook, Uncompromised Letters, was published by the Premier Poets Chapbook series in RI. Ms. Hegnauer previously directed Brian Friel's "Faith Healer" (2008) at the Bristol Statehouse for 2nd Story Theatre.

"THE BELLE OF AMHERST" and William Luce

William Luce's one-woman show opened in April 1976 at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway and ran for 116 performances. Directed by Charles Nelson Reilly and performed by the incomparable Julie Harris, the play toured extensively and then was televised on PBS, where it won three Christopher Awards. "The Belle of Amherst" garnered a Tony-award for Ms. Harris and a nomination for a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. The album also snagged a Grammy Award. Other major works of Mr. Luce include "My Business to Love", "Barrymore", "Lucifer's Child", "Lillian", "Bravo, Caruso", "Zelda", and "Baptiste" as well as television movies and an NPR special about Shakespeare. Mr. Luce lives and works on the Oregon coast.

ABOUT THE BRISTOL STATEHOUSE

The Bristol Statehouse was constructed in 1816 as one of 5 locations for meetings of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate. This use continued until 1854 when the General Assembly decided to meet only in Providence or Newport. The building continued as the seat of the Bristol County Court which presided over cases in the building into the 1980s. From then until it was purchased by the non-profit Bristol Statehouse Foundation in 1997, the building was largely abandoned with only one room on the first floor still housing the office of the Bristol County Sheriff. Under its care, The Bristol Statehouse Foundation made a major addition to the rear (west) of the building to add an elevator, fire stairs and accessible rest rooms.

ABOUT 2nd STORY THEATRE

2nd Story Theatre is a professional, non-union company with a unique aesthetic and the highest artistic standards for excellence in the performance of great plays in its relaxed 140 seat theatre. Founded in Newport, Rhode Island in 1978 by Pat Hegnauer and Ed Shea, the theatre found a permanent home in the historic district of Warren, RI in 2001 under the artistic direction of Ed Shea. 2nd Story Theatre offers acting classes through its studio arm, the Actorsworkshop.

Bristol Statehouse is located at 240 High St. Bristol, RI 02809

2nd Story Theatre
28 Market St.
Warren, RI 02885
www.2ndStoryTheatre.com

Box Office:
2nd Story Theatre
401-247-4200
boxoffice@2ndStoryTheatre.com
Open Tuesday - Friday from 11:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 12:00- 4:00pm
Tickets: $25