Playhouse Merced Presents THE ELEPHANT MAN, Opening Tonight, 5/4

"The Elephant Man," a dramatic, historical play set in 1880s England, begins a two-weekend run at the Multi-Cultural Arts Center on tonight, May 4 at 7:30 pm.

Written in 1977 by Bernard Pomerance, "The Elephant Man" is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, who lived in the Victorian era and is known for the extreme deformity of his body. Rejected by his parents, then hired as a circus freak, Merrick was rescued by a Dr. Frederick Treves at London Hospital and became a celebrity of sorts in the late 1880s. The play opened on Broadway in 1979 and had a two year run bringing in different actors to play Merrick including Bruce Davison, David Bowie and Mark Hamill.

Playhouse Merced's production of "The Elephant Man" is directed by Atwater resident Bill Cook and features Merced actors Joe Hypes and Joel Scott Shade in the lead roles of Joseph Merrick and Dr. Frederick Treves.

This show is rated T = Teens 13 and above for some mature situations and language

"The Elephant Man" opens Friday, May 4, 2012 and plays two weekends through May 13, 2012 at the Multi-Cultural Arts Center 645 W. Main Street, downtown Merced. Tickets are on sale now for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday matinees at 2:00. Tickets prices: Adults: $20.00; Seniors: $18.00; Students: $10.00; Children: $8.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting The Playhouse Merced box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00.

Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.