Works By Rebeck, Thurber, Wilder and Brown Announced for Perry-Mansfield Festival

By Adam Hetrick
14 May 2009

Theresa Rebeck
Theresa Rebeck
Photo by Monique Carboni

Theresa Rebeck's Poor Behavior will be one of four works presented during the 12th Annual Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Running June 19-21, the New Works Festival will offer staged readings of three plays and a special dance presentation as part of its first season of works exclusively created by women.

Perry-Mansfield provides theatre professionals the opportunity to develop new works at the historic performing arts school and camp. Among the festival's artistic partners are the Atlantic Theater Company, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Denver Center Theatre Company and Off-Broadway's Primary Stages.

The first presentation will be the Denver Center Theatre Company workshop of Elysabeth Gregory Wilder's The Bone Orchard, on June 19 at 8 PM, under the direction of Lawrence Hecht. According to press notes, "Lucy Mitchell wants to die a virgin martyr, until she falls in love with Fisher, the boy who has been hired to dig her grave."

On June 20 at 2 PM, the Actors Theatre of Louisville will present Rebeck's Poor Behavior, under the direction of Marc Masterson. The play, according to press notes, "tells the story of Ella and Peter, who have invited their old friends Maureen and Ian up to the country for a weekend visit. When a dinnertime dispute escalates into all-out combat, the fires of suspicion and seduction are stoked, perceptions twist, and relationships are changed forever in this dark comedy about goodness and badness, and the dangerously tempting open doors in between."

The final dramatic offering will be the Atlantic Theater Company workshop of Lucy Thurber's Bottom of the World on June 21 at 4 PM. Neil Pepe directs the play, which "tells the story of Abigail, who is struggling with the recent death of her younger sister, Kate. Kate comforts her by bringing to life scenes from her unfinished novel – stories of loss and love that parallel their own. This play straddles two worlds; the real world where Abby and her close friends live, and a magical world where storytellers and a bluegrass band reach out to us from beyond the grave. "

Perry-Mansfield will also present a special performance from guest choreographer Camille Brown on June 20 at 8 PM.

For tickets and information call (800) 430-2787 or (970) 879-7125, or visit the website at www.perry-mansfield.org.

All rehearsals and performances will take place at Perry-Mansfield, 40755 Routt County Road 36 in Steamboat Springs, CO.