EVIE’S WALTZ - In the Nextstage

2009-03-31

                                              Media Contact: Dawn Kellogg

Communications Manager

(585) 232-1366 ext. 3059

dkellogg@gevatheatre.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVIE’S WALTZ

Carter Lewis’ “timely and tense” drama makes for

riveting theatre in the Nextstage

Rochester, N.Y., March 31, 2009– Geva Theatre Center continues its’ 2008/2009 Nextstage Season with Evie’s Waltz by Carter W. Lewis from April 24 – May 24.

When Danny is beat up one-too-many times at school, he and his girlfriend Evie cheer themselves up by buying a gun on the internet. And drawing maps of the school. And talking about how they would attack. They don’t really plan to do it; it’s just their way of rebelling against the “American conspiracy” to destroy their happiness...

Evie’s Waltz had its Geva premiere as part of the theatre’s “American Voices” series of new play readings in 2008. Since then, the play had its world premiere at the Repertory Theatre of St Louis and a production at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. The play was an immediate hit with critics and audiences alike with the press acclaiming Lewis’ work as “enthralling” and “essential viewing”.  It was announced only yesterday that Evie’s Waltz was the winner of the 2009 Kevin Kline Award for Best New Play or Musical at an award’s gala in St. Louis.

Playwright Carter W. Lewis is currently serving as Playwright-in-Residence/Lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to that, he was Literary Manager and Playwright-in-Residence for Geva Theatre Center. Mr. Lewis was also co-founder and Resident Playwright for Upstart Stage in Berkeley, California. He is the winner of several national playwriting awards including: the Julie Harris Playwriting Award, the State Theatre - Best New American Play, the Cincinnati Playhouse Rosenthal New Play Prize, New Dramatist Arnold Weissberger Playwriting Award, Playwright’s Center Jerome Residency,  and he is a two time nominee for the American Theatre Critics Award. His published works include Art Control, A Geometric Digression of the Species, Soft Click of a Switch, An Asian Jockey in Our Midst and The One-Eyed Man is King. Other plays by Carter W. Lewis include; Golf with Alan Shepard, Picasso Does My Maps, Longevity Abbreviated For Those Who Don’t Have Time, Women Who Steal, Men on the Take, American Storm by Integrity Out of Molly Brown, and Kid Peculiar, Ordinary Nation and Civil Disobedience. For his play While We Were Bowling, Mr. Lewis was the recipient of a 2003 NEA/TCG Residency Grant for Playwriting, and the 2003 Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation Award for best new play of 2004.

Evie’s Waltz stars Annie Fitzpatrick as Gloria, Skip Greer as Clay and Magan Wiles as Evie.  The production is directed by Tim Ocel. The design team includes Jack Magaw (scenic designer), Christina Selian (costume designer) and Dan Roach (sound designer).

For further information, photographs or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Dawn Kellogg, Communications Manager, (585) 232 1366 x 3059

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Previews:                April 24, 25, 26, 28 @ 7pm

Opening:                 Wednesday, April 29 @ 7pm

Performances:        Thursday, April 30 @ 7pm

Friday, May 1 @ 7pm

Saturday, May 2 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, May 3 @ 1:30pm and 7pm

Tuesday, May 5 @ 7pm

Wednesday, May 6 @ 1pm and 7pm

Thursday, May 7 @ 7pm

Friday, May 8 @ 7pm

Saturday, May 9 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, May 10 @ 1:30pm and 7pm

Tuesday, May 12 @ 7pm

Wednesday, May 13 @ 7pm

Thursday, May 14 @ 7pm (sign interpreted)

Friday, May 15 @ 7pm

Saturday, May 16 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, May 17 @ 1:30pm and 7pm

Tuesday, May 19 @ 7pm

Wednesday, May 20 @ 7pm

Thursday, May 21 @ 7pm

Friday, May 22 @ 7pm

Saturday, May 23 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Sunday, May 24 @ 1:30pm and 7pm

TICKET PRICES:     $17.50 (under 30) and $30 (reserved seating). Some tickets still available as part of Geva’s 20,000 tickets for $20 program.

                               

RESERVATIONS:    (585) 232 GEVA (4382), Website: www.gevatheatre.org

LOCATION:              Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd, Rochester, NY 14607

GEVA THEATRE CENTER

Geva Theatre Center is Rochester’s leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York State. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 170,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics.

The 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva’s own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva’s New Play Reading Series and the Hornet’s Nest - an innovative play-reading series facilitating community-wide discussion on controversial topics. The Nextstage also hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown.

Geva Theatre Center offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. For the past thirteen years the organization has been led by Artistic Director Mark Cuddy.

*ENDS*