ACT Continues Season With THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES 6/18-7/18

ACT's 2010 Mainstage season continues with a savagely funny new comedy, The Female of the Species by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith, June 18-July 18, 2010. This Seattle premiere is loosely based on a real-life incident when feminist icon, author, and professor Germaine Greer was attacked and held hostage in her home in the British countryside by a college co-ed obsessed with the famous writer.

Germaine Greer's ordeal and the ensuing commentary providEd Murray-Smith with an ideal springboard for the delightfully zany events of The Female of the Species. In her irreverent satire, she lets loose with a wild farce that takes on the entire feminist movement, subjects it to comedic scrutiny, and plays it out to pitch-perfect hilarity on stage.

"The Female of the Species is a deliriously funny new play that acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of the Feminist movement, while poking and tweaking its thin-skinned underbelly," said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie."

Directed by Allison Narver (Eurydice and The Clean House at ACT; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at The 5th Avenue Theatre), The Female of the Species features veteran Seattle stage actor Suzy Hunt as feminist writer Margot Mason and Renata Friedman as her disillusioned, gun-wielding disciple Molly, with madcap interruptions from her harried daughter Tess (Morgan Rowe), her successful but inarticulate son-in-law (Paul Morgan Stetler), a macho taxi driver (Tim Hyland), and her longtime friend and publisher (Mark Chamberlin), adding to the escalating lunacy of The Situation.

The Female of the Species was produced this past February at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles with Annette Bening as Margot, and also played on London's West End with Dame Eileen Atkins in 2008, when it was nominated for the Oliver Award for Best New Comedy.

Cast (in alphabetical order)
Mark Chamberlin* Theo
Renata Friedman* Molly
Suzy Hunt* Margot
Tim Hyland* Frank
Morgan Rowe* Tess
Paul Morgan Stetler* Bryan

Production Team
Allison Narver Director
Robert A. Dahlstrom Scenic Designer
Deb Trout Costume Designer
Geoff Korf Lighting Designer
Brendan Patrick Hogan Sound Designer
Alyssa Keene Dialect Coach
Lara Wilder Assistant Lighting Designer
JR Welden* Stage Manager
Verhanika Wood Assistant Stage Manager

*Members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

ACT Special Events (open to the public):

Behind the Scenes, Tuesday, June 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Before the Tuesday night preview of a Mainstage production, Artistic Director Kurt Beattie and members of ACT's artistic team give you the heads-up and the lowdown on what it takes to make that night's magic. Seeing the show another night? Don't let that stop you; we still welcome you to come for the Behind-the-Scenes chat! Brought to you by KING FM with delicious bites provided by Apulent Catering.

Apple Series, Wednesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m.
ACT's Apple Series includes a ticket to each Wednesday preview on the 2010 Mainstage season and features a pre-show conversation with the artistic staff and guest speakers on topics including themes of the show, production elements, collaborating with artists, and more that will have every educator's mouth watering. The Apple Series is for current Washington state teachers and administrators.

Tastings, Friday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m.

ACT continues a delicious tradition: beers, wines, and beverages from around the world, paired with local artisan foods-all matched to fit the theme of our Mainstage productions! Keith Johnsen will search his vast collection of spirits, as well as the bountiful variety of local markets, to procure the perfect show themed treats for you.

About ACT - A Contemporary Theatre
Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only local theatre dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A Theatre Of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.

ACT gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Season Sponsors ArtsFund, ACT Foundation, The Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, and The Shubert Foundation, along with Producing Partners 4Culture, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, Nesholm Family Foundation, the Peg & Rick Young Foundation, and PONCHO.

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