The post-World War II drama from the author of String of Pearls will play the 272-seat mainstage of Pittsburgh's City Theatre March 8-April 1. Opening is March 14.
According to City Theatre, "Mezzulah, 1946 is set in Monroe, Washington a year after the end of World War II. During the war the women 'worked the line' at the Boeing airplane plant, but now the men have returned and want their jobs. At the center of the story is 19-year-old Mezzulah Steiner, who like her hero, Leonardo da Vinci, is ahead of her time and ready for flight. Surrounding Mezzulah is a large cast of townspeople, each trying to give wing to new dreams. With expansive theatricality Lowe depicts an important period for women's rights and an exciting time in aviation design."
Lowe also punctuates the play with the chart-topping songs of the era, including "Don't Fence Me In," "Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer" and "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition."
Pittsburgh-based actress Theo Allyn will play Mezzulah Steiner. Also featured are Jeffrey Carpenter, Johnny Giacalone, Rebecca Harris, Brett Mack, Sheila McKenna, Larry John Meyers, Gwendolen Morton, Joel Ripka, and Jenny Wales. The dramaturg is Carlyn Aquiline.
The design team is Tony Ferrieri (scenic), Michael Krass (costumes) and Andrew David Ostrowski (lighting). The music director is Thomas Wesley Douglas. The production stage manager is Patti Kelly. Michele Lowe is best known to City Theatre audiences for her play String of Pearls, which world premiered at City Theatre in 2003. Since then String of Pearls has been produced in New York and in theatres across the country. In 2004 Michele Lowe received City Theatre's Frankel Award, which recognizes outstanding commitment to new play creation and support.
Mezzulah, 1946 was read at City Theatre as part of 2006's MOMENTUM: new plays at different stages. It is the second production in City Theatre's New American Trio, an innovative series of three brand-new plays plus a constellation of activities being produced at City Theatre early this year.
For more information, call (412) 431-CITY or visit CityTheatreCompany.org.
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As part of the New American Trio, Lowe will lead a playwriting workshop at City Theatre on Wednesday, February 28 at 7 PM. Titled "Time:/Place:," the workshop will focus on a play's journey and how it relates to place.
