Undoing Salk, World Premiere About Polio Conqueror, Begins Feb. 3 in Pittsburgh
By Kenneth Jones
03 Feb 2004
Pittsburgh Playhouse Repertory Company, the resident Equity professional troupe of the Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park University, stages the world premiere of Undoing Salk, about Dr. Jonas Salk, who discovered the vaccine for polio, Feb. 3-22.
Robert Benedetti wrote, designed and directed the work, billed as an "examination of the conflicts between Jonas Salk, the researcher credited with creating the polio vaccine, and his colleagues, the AMA and the scientific community." Salk was a New York native later associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
"My play uncovers the undoing of Salk by a conspiracy of profit-seeking drug companies, and AMA and federal government terrified at the prospect of 'socialized medicine,' jealous fellow scientists and Salk's own hubris," the playwright said in a statement.
The cast includes Jarrod DiGiorgi (as Jonas Salk),
Barbara Lawrence, Larry John Meyers, Martin Giles,
Christopher Josephs, David Cabot, Chance Muehleck, Dereck Walton, Melanie Julian, Daina Michelle Griffith
Marilouise Michel, Barbara Burney, Mark D. Staley,
Joel Ripka, Rosanna Paterra and Rocky Paterra.
Michael Montgomery designs the costumes, Jennifer Ford designs the lighting.
Ronald Allan-Lindblom is artistic producing director of the Playhouse. The company is now in its fifth season and is committed to world premieres and works new to Pittsburgh, including works that represent local voices.
Tickets range $18-$22. For information, call (412) 621 4445 or visit www.ppc.edu/playhouse.
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The Rep Company "is the professional company at the Playhouse. In addition to a roster of stellar local professionals, the company encompasses the graduate
program of the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University. Led by artistic producing director Ronald Allan-Lindblom, the Pittsburgh Playhouse Repertory Company exemplifies performance excellence and a new direction."
The inaugural season (1999–2000) established the company's objective of producing "envelope-pushing Pittsburgh and world premieres."
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