Photos: First Look at CONFEDERATES World Premiere at TheatreWorks

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley opens its 47th season with the world premiere of the high stakes political drama CONFEDERATES. This fresh, fascinating, and headline-hot show explores the voracious nature of contemporary media during a national campaign. This production will be directed by Lisa Rothe, with performances now through August 7 (press opening: July 16) at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Perfectly in time for election year, playwright Suzanne Bradbeer sets the stage with a dad who is running for President, a daughter with her own agenda, and reporters who are looking for a scoop, trying to make their own careers, and running out of time. With the campaign in full swing, someone unearths photos involving a Confederate flag and a scandal hits the fan. A provocative hit of TheatreWorks' 2015 New Works Festival, this political thriller takes a riveting look at today's muckraking media and the world it relentlessly pursues.

CONFEDERATES follows the story of Will, an idealistic and ambitious news reporter on a mission to cover the presidential primaries. With more newspapers folding and stories going online, Will uncovers a story concerning the upcoming presidential candidate's daughter, Maddie. Will and his more established colleague Stephanie must figure out what the next steps will be in the competitive 24-hour news cycle: to run the story and ruin a life or find a new one.CONFEDERATES made its debut as part of TheatreWorks' 2015 New Works Festival.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has assembled an outstanding cast for this production. Tasha Lawrence is making her TheatreWorks debut as Stephanie, the seasoned journalist. Her work on stage includes Broadway roles in Proof and Good People, Off Broadway performances at Playwrights Horizons, Cherry Lane Theatre, Circle in the Square, and regionals such as Denver Center Theatre, and Huntington Theatre. She has appeared on television in Law & Order,Royal Pains, Third Watch, Life with Boys, as well as in a number of feature films.

Richard Prioleau is returning to TheatreWorks playing the role of Will, the new journalist trying to make his mark. He previously performed in the TheatreWorks production of Wild with Happy in the role of Terry. He has appeared regionally on stage at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, The Guthrie Theater, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. He can be seen on television in the HBO-Ryan Murphy TV movie The Normal Heart and in episodes of Madam Secretary and 30 Rock.

Jessica Lynn Carroll returns to TheatreWorks, where she was seen in Auctioning the Ainsleys, to appear as Maddie, the daughter of the candidate. Regionally she has been seen at San Jose Repertory, Marin Theatre Company, Magic Theatre, and Center REPertory.

For tickets ($19-$80) and information the public may visit www.TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne