CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Opens Intiman's 2009 Season

Intiman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher and Managing Director Brian Colburn, opens its 2009 season with a 90-minute, three-actor version of Dostoyevsky’s classic suspense novel Crime and Punishment, adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus, and directed by Sheila Daniels. Performances will begin at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, on Sunday, March 29 and continue through Sunday, May 3. The opening night performance is Friday, April 3 at 8 pm.

Tickets are available from www.intiman.org tor 206.269.1900. Tickets range in price from $40 to $55, with discounts available for youth, seniors and groups. Patrons 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10. Pending availability, rush tickets will be sold 15 minutes before curtain for $20. Intiman will offer two pay-what-you-can performances (with a $5 minimum per ticket): Wednesday, April 1 and Sunday, April 5, both at 7:30 pm. There will be four student matinees during the run. This production is sponsored by the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and 4Culture.

Intiman Associate Director Sheila Daniels first staged Crime and Punishment as a critically acclaimed Theater Under Ground production at Capitol Hill Arts Center, where it ran for four months in 2007. Original stars Hana Lass (Sonia) and Galen Joseph Osier (Raskolnikov) return for this re-imagined production, which also features Todd Jefferson Moore (Inspector Porfiry) and recorded viola music performed by Melia Watras, a soloist and co-founder of the award-winning Corigliano Quartet. This adaptation was first presented by Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe, Illinois. It was awarded a 2002-2003 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Adaptation.

“This adaptation captures the essence of Dostoyevsky’s story, crystallizing the theme of redemption within a framework that is part detective story, part psychodrama,” says Daniels. “Expounding on the novel, the script lays the groundwork for a heightened theatricality by placing the entire story in the hands of three actors, barreling through twists and turns at a heart-racing speed.”

The creative team includes scenic designer Carey Wong, costume designer Melanie Taylor Burgess, lighting designer Dans Maree Sheehan, sound designer Joseph Swartz and fight choreographer Peter Dylan O’Connor. The stage manager is Marianne C. Wunch.

Crime and Punishment is the first production of Intiman’s 2009 season, which has been curated to tell a season-long story that unfolds the eyes of outsiders, individuals who are held apart from society, by choice or by necessity. Throughout the run of Crime and Punishment, Intiman will offer programs and conversations that serve its mission to make its plays part of how we live now and create opportunities for its audiences to think, talk and stay connected.

Front Porch Theater, developed for the American Cycle, brings the stories on the Intiman stage to life as members of the public read excerpts from the plays aloud in unexpected venues that encourage spontaneous participation. Intiman is expanding the series this season with three Front Porches for Crime and Punishment (with an additional two in Seattle schools). This free series will pull family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike inside the minds of Dostoyevsky’s characters they debate questions of morality, faith and the nature of evil, followed by a facilitated open conversation about how the ideas provoked by the story resonate today.

All are welcome; familiarity with the story is not necessary, and those who don’t wish to read are encouraged to attend as audience and participate in the discussion.

March 28 at 5 pm at Tougo Coffee (18th and Union) in partnership with the ACLU.
April 7 at 7 pm at Crossroads Bellevue (15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue) on the Market Stage, in partnership with the Barnes & Noble Bookfair from April 7-12.
April 11 at 11 am at the University Village Barnes & Noble (2675 NE University Village Street), in partnership with the Barnes & Noble Bookfair from April 7-12.

White Russian Discussions - In a continuing tradition offered at least once per season, Intiman will host facilitated post-play discussions following every performance of Crime and Punishment. New this year, the bar will stay open every night. All patrons are invited to buy a drink (including specials on White Russians) and stay for a conversation led by a member of the Intiman staff.

Other special events include:

Spotlight Supper  - Friday, March 27 at 6 pm (Free event)
The public is invited to learn about the show from director Sheila Daniels and watch an open rehearsal.

Wine Wednesday - Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 pm ($15 add-on fee)
New this season, Intiman will offer a pre-show wine tasting presented by Maryhill Winery.

Deaf Access Performance - Saturday, April 18 at 8 pm
This performance and the post-play discussion will be sign-interpreted.

‘Round Six Happy Hour - Friday, April 24 beginning at 6 pm (Free with ticket)
Intiman hosts a free pre-show happy hour with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live music.

For more information about the production, including biographies of the company and the creative team, visit www.intiman.org.