Coal Mine Theatre and Studio 180 Theatre Present Jennifer Haley's THE NETHER

Coal Mine Theatre and Studio 180 Theatre join forces to produce Jennifer Haley's electric and groundbreaking play THE NETHER, directed by Coal Mine alumni Peter Pasyk (Killer Joe, Poison), October 7 - November 4, 2018.

'The Nether' is an immersive virtual world. Log in, choose an identity and indulge in every whim, in every dark desire. When a young detective uncovers this disturbing brand of entertainment, she triggers a grim battle over technology and human desire. THE NETHERis both serpentine crime drama and haunting sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of living out one's private dreams. It is a daring and scandalous look at what is real, and what is legal.

The award-winning out-of-this-world cast of THE NETHER includes: Katherine Cullen(Stupidhead! A Musical Comedy / Theatre Passe Muraille, Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play / Outside the March); Hannah Levinson (Matilda / Mirvish Productions, Fun Home / Mirvish Productions and Musical Stage Company); Mark McGrinder (You Will Remember Me / Studio 180 and Tarragon Theatre, Clybourne Park / Studio 180 and Mirvish); Robert Persichini (Superior Donuts, Category E / Coal Mine, The Winter's Tale / Groundlings and Coal Mine); and David Storch (Picture This / Soulpepper, The Boy in the Moon / Crow's Theatre).

Playwright Jennifer Haley delves into the ethics of virtual reality and the impact of technology on humanity in much of her work. Other plays include Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, a horror story about suburban video game addiction, and Froggy, a noir thriller with interactive media. For television, she has written on Netflix's Hemlock Grove and Mindhunter. Jennifer is a member of New Dramatists in New York City and a founding member of the Playwright's Union in Los Angeles.

Winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, THE NETHER received its world premiered in Los Angeles in 2013, followed by productions in London in 2014 and in New York in 2015.

Previously for Coal Mine, Peter Pasyk directed the Toronto premieres of Tracy Letts' KillerJoe (Dora Award-nomination), and Lot Vekeman's Poison. Peter directed the world premieres of Jordan Tannahill's Late Company (Theatre Centre) and Rosa Laborde's Like Wolves (GCTC). Most recently Peter directed the world premiere of Rosamund Small's Sisters at Soulpepper; John Patrick Shanley's Outside Mullingar at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre; and Geoffrey Simon Brown's The Circle at Tarragon Theatre.

Studio 180 Theatre follows up their record-breaking fifteenth anniversary season with two ensemble-driven, internationally renowned Toronto premiere productions. Following THE NETHER, and their first-ever partnership with the Coal Mine, they return to the CAA Theatre in February with the Off-Mirvish production of the 2017 Tony Award winner for Best Play, Oslo by J.T. Rogers, directed by Artistic Director Joel Greenberg. In 2018/19, they will also continue Studio 180 IN CLASS, the innovative education program that takes their work into high school classrooms, and Studio 180 IN DEVELOPMENT, giving theatre creators a helping hand to develop new work.

The critically acclaimed and award-winning Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto's Off-Off Broadview theatre, presents their most ambitious season yet with an explosive lineup of productions that continue to prioritize excellence while offering a highly entertaining experience in their intimate eighty-seat theatre. With moving, gripping, and dramatic plays that Toronto has never seen before, Coal Mine promises that every season will be their best yet. 2018-19 continues with The Wonder Pageant, created by Kayla Lorette and Ron Pederson; The Father, written by Florian Zeller (translation by Christopher Hampton) and directed by Ted Dykstra; and Hand to God, written by Robert Askins and directed by Mitchell Cushman.

Coal Mine and Studio 180 have come together with a knockout cast and an incredible design team to give Toronto the premiere it truly deserves! THE NETHER is sure tovirtually shock, and rock, its audiences.

Tickets at www.coalminetheatre.com or www.studio180theatre.com

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