News Release Virginia Repertory Theatre

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1 News Release Virginia Repertory Theatre For Immediate Release Date: January 21, 2014 Contact: Susan Davenport Director of Communications Virginia Repertory Theatre Virginia Rep Announces the Opening of Moliére s Comic Masterpiece, Tartuffe Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Historic November Theatre Richmond, VA Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Moliére s clever comedy, Tartuffe, at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street on Friday, February 14 with a preview on Thursday, February 13. The show runs through March 9, This year marks the 350 th anniversary of the first production of this world classic in Moliére, often considered the first great playwright of the Enlightenment, used his growing play audience and Tartuffe to exploit the hypocrisy of the church leaders who at the time controlled 20% of the French economy. After debuting for King Louis XIV at Versailles, Tartuffe was banned for six years on the demand of the clergy. The story of Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite, who uses his connections to swindle his generous host, Orgon, out of his wealth, home and wife, has long been considered a comic masterpiece. This production of Tartuffe is part of the Acts of Faith Theatre Festival. Under the direction of Virginia Rep s Artistic Director, Bruce Miller, this production will offer a fresh take on the classic work. Moliére was the wild child of his time, and I want his personality to be reflected in this production. I am thrilled to work with such an energetic cast who bring a sharp, sexy and very funny spirit to the show. Recent directing credits include As You Like It, Boleros for the Disenchanted, Legacy of Light,

2 My Fair Lady, The Little Dog Laughed, The Crucible, The Lark, the Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, On Golden Pond, Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, and A Lug Nuts Christmas. Costume designs by Sue Griffin (My Fair Lady, Next to Normal, Intimate Apparel) will reflect the 17 th century era of elegance for both men and women. Set designer Brian Barker (Music Man, Spring Awakening, Nightblooms for Virginia Rep) and lighting designer Lynne Hartman (To Kill A Mockingbird, The Music Man, Red, Hay Fever for Virginia Rep) are well known for their design talents at the November Theatre. Virginia Rep welcomes Ryan Bechard as Tartuffe to his first production at the November Theatre. Bechard was recently seen in Sons of the Prophet for Cadence Theatre and Virginia Rep and Macbeth (RTCC award for Best Actor) with Richmond Shakespeare. Eva DeVirgilis will be making her debut with Virginia Rep in the role of Elmire. A transplant from New York, DeVirgilis was recently seen in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe at Henley Street Theatre. She has been featured on Law & Order; Criminal Intent, and will appear in the upcoming AMC Television series Turn this spring. Recently seen as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man this past summer, Joe Pabst returns to Virginia Rep as Orgon. Other Virginia Rep credits include The Man Who Came to Dinner, Brooklyn Boy, Barefoot in the Park, and Lend Me a Tenor. Amaree Cluff and Brad Frazier join the cast from the University of Virginia MFA in Acting program as part of a new partnership between Virginia Rep and UVA. Student Matinees Middle and high school matinees will take place on February 20 and 27 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $14 and include a talkback with the cast. Talk on Tap and Acts of Faith The Talk on Tap conversation series and Acts of Faith talkbacks will take place on Friday evenings after the 8:00 p.m. performance on February 21, 28, and March 7. Cast members will join the audience for casual conversations about the production. Ticket Information Box Office Full Price Tickets: $38 - $46 Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available.

3 U-Tix for college and high school students $10. Available by phone or in person day of show only. Student ID required. The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a new state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired. Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances. Press Kits Available at Pass code accessible Hi Res photos available to media. username = press password = HiRes121 Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 7:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and select Wednesdays and Saturdays Direction & Design Director Scenic Designer Lighting Designer Costume Designer Stage Manager Cast List Tartuffe Elmire Orgon Mariane Valère Cléante Dorine Madame Pernelle Damis Monsieur Loyal/King s Officer Bruce Miller Brian Barker Lynne M. Hartman+ Sue Griffin Rick Brandt* Ryan Bechard Eva DeVirgilis* Joe Pabst Amaree Cluff* Brad Frazier* Andy Boothby Debra Wagoner Mollie Ort Alexander Sapp Nick Hampson +Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829

4 * Member of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A. Full bios can be found at About Virginia Repertory Theatre Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia s leading professional theater company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals as well as classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theater to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep s Children s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and at Hanover Tavern, home to Virginia Rep s Barksdale Season. Corporate Sponsors Virginia Rep is grateful for the support from Altria, The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Richmond Times- Dispatch, Richmond.com and Community Idea Stations.

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