Asolo Repertory Theatre Presents
THE CONSTANT WIFE
A Hilarious Social Comedy of Marital Maneuvers
Opens Friday, DECEMBER 7, 2007
Sarasota, Florida (November 2007)–Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida’s premier professional theatre, presents The Constant Wife, by W. Somerset Maugham. The play, which was recently revived on Broadway and created quite a stir among New York critics, comes to Sarasota. The Asolo Rep production of this delightful comedy is directed by Mark Rucker who was lauded last season for his work on Pride and Prejudice. Dana Green, in her Asolo Rep debut, plays Constance Middleton. Bryan Torfeh, who played Salieri in Amadeus last season, plays John Middleton. The play also features popular Asolo Rep resident actors – Carolyn Michel and Douglas Jones.
The Constant Wife will run in Asolo Rep’s Mertz Theatre from December 7, 2007 through March 12, 2008 with previews on December 5 and 6. Show days and times vary from Tuesday through Sunday; Ticket prices vary from $19 to $56 depending on the day and time of the performance. Group rates and special discounts are available; single tickets, money saving subscriptions now on sale. Special event pricing varies. Purchase tickets in person at the Asolo Rep Box Office or by calling 941-351-8000, 800-361-8388, or online at www.asolo.org.
About the play: Constance and John Middleton have the perfect house, perfect lives, and the perfect marriage. Or do they? When John’s affair with Constance’s best friend is suddenly public knowledge, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. Constance takes matters into her own hands – instead of getting mad, she decides to get even. But when the dust settles after their bitingly comic “battle of the sexes,” who will be the last one standing?
About the Actors:
This is Dana Green’s first season with Asolo Rep as a Guest Artist. She spent four seasons with the Stratford Festival of Canada where she appeared in Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, Orpheus Descending, The Brother's Karamazov, Love's Labours Lost, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Swanne: Queen Victoria. Chicago theatre credits include Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Hay Fever (Court Theatre), Blood Wedding, The Cherry Orchard (Hypocrites Theatre), Ghetto (Famous Door Theatre), Zoyka's Apartment (European Repertory Theatre, and Another Part of the Forest (Eclipse Theatre). Regional theatre credits include All's Well That Ends Well (Yale Repertory Theatre), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Meadow Brook Theatre), Twelfth Night and Macbeth (Shakespeare Festival of Dallas). Television credits include Early Edition (CBS).
Bryan Torfeh returns to Asolo Rep for his second season as a Guest Artist. Last season Bryan played Salieri in Amadeus and King in The Plexiglass Slipper. London and West End roles: Passepartout, Around The World; George, High Society; Mr. Sowerberry, Oliver!; Rico, Copacabana; Figaro, The Marriage of Figaro; Hamlet, The Reduced Shakespeare, and seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company, notably Nicholas Nickleby (U.K. and Broadway). U.S. roles: Kerner, Hapgood (Ahmanson Season, L.A.); Jack, The Importance of Being Earnest (Indiana Rep); Salieri, Amadeus (Indiana Rep and Syracuse Stage); the twin Antipholi, The Comedy of Errors; the King, Loves Labour's Lost; and the Prince, Kean (Shakespeare Santa Cruz). TV: This is Dom Joly, Dead Air (BBC) Film: Velvet Goldmine. Bryan was Director of Drama at Jakarta International School in Indonesia, and Course Tutor at Drama Studio London. He directed the first production at Stratford-upon-Avon's Waterside Theatre, and London's first professional all-female Shakespeare. Torfeh holds degrees from UCSC and London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Creative Team:
Director: Mark Rucker
Assistant Director: Jennifer Sassaman
Scenic Designer: Eric Flatmo
Costume Designer: Katherine Roth
Lighting Designer: James D. Sale
Sound Designer: Matthew Parker
Vocal Coach: Patricia Delorey
Stage Manager: Juanita Munford*
Intern Assistant to the Stage Manager: Danielle MacMonagle
About the Director: Mark Rucker returns to Asolo Rep after directing last season’s Pride and Prejudice. Mark has directed at many regional theaters across the country, including: Arena Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, American Conservatory Theater, Syracuse Stage, The Intiman Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Berkeley Rep, and the Old Globe in San Diego. At Yale Repertory Theater he has staged Twelfth Night, Landscape of the Body, The Cryptogram, Measure for Measure, The Imaginary Invalid, All’s Well That Ends Well, and The Mistakes Madeline Made. Mark is an Associate Artist at South Coast Repertory Theater, where he has directed over 20 productions including world premieres of plays by Richard Greenberg, Christopher Shinn, Annie Weisman, John Glore and Culture Clash. His feature film, Die Mommie Die!, won a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Mark is a graduate of UCLA and the Yale School of Drama.
About the Scenic Designer: Erik Flatmo recently designed The Imaginary Invalid for American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Other projects include Richard III at California Shakespeare Theater with director Mark Rucker and The Playboy of the Western World at Shakespeare Santa Cruz. His New York credits include world premieres at The Rattlestick Theatre, The Play Company, Danspace Project and The Kitchen. Upcoming projects include The Government Inspector at A.C.T. and The Magic Flute for Opera San Jose. He is a graduate of Columbia University and the Yale School of Drama. He currently teaches set design at Stanford University.
About the Costume Designer: Katherine Roth returns to Asolo Rep after designing costumes for last season’s Pride and Prejudice. New York Productions: A Nervous Smile; Sugar Syndrome (Williamstown Theatre Festival); The Argument (Vineyard Theatre); A Steady Rain (New York Stage and Film); Arabian Night, Sakharam Binder, M. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran (Play Company); Happy Days (Cherry Lane); Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (NYTW); Hard Feelings, The Chemistry of Change (Women’s Project); Model Apartment (Primary Stages); Lorca Project (INTAR); They Still Mambo in Havana (Bat). Regional Productions: California Shakespeare Festival; George Street Playhouse; Huntington; Intiman Theatre; Old Globe; Mark Taper Forum; Dallas Theater Center; La Jolla Playhouse; Yale; Center Stage: South Coast Rep; Magic Theatre. Film/TV: Exiles in New York; All My Children (Associate Costume Designer). YaleSchool of Drama, M.F.A.
Several events are planned to enhance the production of The Constant Wife.In addition to audio described services and celebratory festivities, Asolo Rep is offering free discussions with both actors and creative team members so audiences can discover the scope of work that is done behind-the-scenes.
PLAYTALKS will be held on Sunday, January 6 after the 2 PM matinee performance and on Thursday, January 10 after the 8 PM evening performance in the Mertz Theatre. This is a free opportunity for the community to meet the actors of each play and participate in an animated and honest discussion about the production process. Tickets to show prior to the discussion are $19-$56.
INSIGHTS provides a peek at the intriguing and often humorous inside stories behind the selection, development and staging of each production. Moderated by the Asolo education staff, the one-hour Saturday morning talk (February 2 at 11 AM) includes discussions with the cast, directors, and technical artists who create the work you see on stage. The discussion is FREE; you may purchase tickets to the 2 PM performance following the discussion for $19-$52; however, attendance at the show is not required.
CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATIONS take place on the last evening performance (March 12). Buy a ticket and you’re invited to join Asolo Rep and Prudential Palms Realty for a fun-filled, blow-out cast party. Mingle with the cast and enjoy free wine, late night snacks, D.J. music, beer tastings (compliments of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing), and a cash bar.
AUDIO DESCRIBED SERVICES will be provided on Sunday, February 3 at 2 PM and Wednesday, February 27 at 8 PM where specially trained audio describers provide elaborate audio imagery of the play action and setting to visually impaired audience members through a headset. Sponsored by the Center for Sight.
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Asolo Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, the Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Funding is also received through efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Rep Guild, the Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.