Mixed Magic Theatre to Present THE DINER AND MR. STONE Next Month

Mixed Magic Theatre has announced that it will be presenting the world premiere of "The Diner and Mr. Stone," a play by Kevin Broccoli, this coming October. Artistic Director Jonathan Pitts-Wiley will be directing the debut of Broccoli's latest work, which features Ricardo Pitts-Wiley - co-founder of Mixed Magic Theatre along with his wife, Bernadet, and former member of Trinity Repertory Company - in the title role. Actress Hannah Lum will complete the two-person cast in the role of Mr. Stone's daughter, Karen. This will be the second launching of a new play by Kevin Broccoli at Mixed Magic Theatre, which recently relocated to a new space in the Lorraine Mills, at 560 Mineral Spring Avenue in Pawtucket.

This production marks the beginning of Kevin Broccoli's official status as Playwright-in-Residence at Mixed Magic Theatre. Though such a joint venture may seem rare in a competitive arts community, it signifies a continued collaboration between both parties, whose artistic partnership has resulted in multiple successes. One such success was last summer's award-winning play, "The House in Providence," Broccoli's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," set in modern-day Providence. "Diner" hails from the same fictitious universe - only this time, Broccoli has conjured up new characters in a very different sort of kitchen.

"I wrote 'The Diner and Mr. Stone' with Mr. Pitts-Wiley and Hannah Lum in mind," Broccoli said. "After I witnessed how Jonathan Pitts-Wiley brought 'The House in Providence' to life, I knew I had to write a full-length play solely for Mixed Magic. To be able to have these two actors and this director working on something I've written is such a gift, and I can't wait for the rest of the state to see it."

As part of his role as Playwright-in-Residence, Broccoli also plans to curate a play festival in February that will celebrate the work of a notable playwright. "Mixed Magic has such an incredible group of actors and artists," he said, "I think there's a wonderful opportunity here to create the kind of celebratory, high-energy, playwright-driven event which I'm so drawn to, and which Mixed Magic is known for." Broccoli will also be working on an original, docudrama type piece that will be workshopped at Mixed Magic in the spring.

Artistic collaboration is not a new concept to Broccoli or the Pitts-Wileys - over a year ago, Mixed Magic Theatre joined forces with Broccoli's Epic Theatre Company in Cranston, RI and Christopher J. Simpson's Contemporary Theatre Company

in South Kingstown, RI to form the Rhode Island Theatre Alliance, or "RITA." The three companies support one another by exchanging ideas, promoting one another's events, and working together to provide new creative opportunities for members of the artistic community.

"Collaboration has been the foundation of the Rhode Island Theatre Alliance," said Broccoli. "While I prefer to have Epic Theatre produce other people's work, RITA allows me the opportunity to bring my own work to others - specifically, to people whom I trust on personal, professional, and artistic levels. I know this residency will continue to foster the successful relationship between Epic and Mixed Magic. At the same time, we are also working with Contemporary Theatre Company to produce my adaptation of 'The Visit' in November. I look forward to finding even more ways for us to integrate one another's work into our respective seasons."

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