FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Naimonu James Marketing Coordinator 504-523-9857 pr@southernrep.com SOUTHERN REP THEATRE CONTINUES 30TH SEASON WITH SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS Presented in partnership with Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival NEW ORLEANS (January 30, 2017) Southern Rep Theatre presents SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH by Tennessee Williams at Marquette Theatre, Loyola University from March 22-April 16 in partnership with the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. Southern Rep continues our commitment to Tennessee Williams as a vital part of every season, notes Artistic Director Aimée Hayes, Whether we are offering a traditional view into this playwright's master works or exploring how his texts resonate in today's modern world, Tennessee is a voice we believe in sharing with the New Orleans community. This production is especially exciting for us, Hayes continues, with Leslie Castay taking on the role of Tennessee's great queen of melodrama and screen, Princess Kosmonopolis, also known as, Alexandra del Lago. Her Chance will be Martin Bradford, an actor we are excited to be working with on the Mainstage. Innovative director Mel. Cook joins a talented cast. We cannot wait to share this scintillating, slickly sensual, earthy drama with our community. "Tennessee Williams is the American Shakespeare," says director Mel. Cook. "He writes with an unparalleled poetic grasp of the beauty and tragedy and misery and glory of the human condition. The opportunity to stage any one of his plays, particularly here in his spiritual (and oft literal) home, is the dream of virtually every theatre director in the Englishspeaking world." Actress Leslie Castay adds, "I have always loved the writing of Tennessee Williams and am so thrilled to be making my Williams debut in such an
iconic role. Williams' beautiful and poetic language shines throughout the work. This play deals with heartbreak, tragedy, fear and loss but also humor, love and, ultimately, acceptance and hope. I love working with Southern Rep and am so happy to continue my relationship with this wonderful theatre company." Prior to the Friday night performances, local musicians, and performers will offer a free 'show before the show' for the public as a part of our new Lagniappe Performance Series. More details about the series and other community engagement activities by Southern Rep are forthcoming. INTERVIEWS & PRESS TICKETS For interviews with Aimée Hayes, Director Mel. Cook, Leslie Castay, Martin Bradford or other members of the cast and production team, or to reserve reviewer tickets, please contact pr@southernrep.com or 504-522- 6545. Preview performances are not available for review. LISTING INFORMATION SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH By Tennessee Williams Directed by Mel. Cook Featuring Leslie Castay as Princess Kosmonopolis and Martin Bradford as Chance Wayne Presented at Loyola University, Marquette Theatre, 6363 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118 In partnership with the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival Southern Rep Theatre is in residence at the Loyola University Department of Theatre Arts. Preview Performances Wednesday, March 22-Thursday, March 23, 2017 8PM Regular Performances Friday, March 24-Sunday, April 16, 2017 Show days and times: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM Leslie Castay stars as Alexandra del Lago, an aging star swept up in a race against time. Fueled by booze, pills, and entitlement she places herself in the care of Chance Wayne (Martin Bradford), an ambitious gigolo with less than a heart of gold and a drama of his own unfolding. TICKETS Individual tickets for regular performances (March 24-April 16) start at $40 and are on sale now. Prices are subject to increase based on demand. Discounts are available for seniors, military personnel, families, veterans, patrons 35 and under, theatre professionals, and teachers. Preview performances (March 22-3) are $25.* *Southern Rep is a proud member of the Blue Star Theatre network. Above prices do not include box office fees. Student rush tickets, $10 plus fees, can be purchased at the door only (based on availability) 10 minutes before each performance with a valid student ID. Cash is appreciated. Discounted group sales available - call 504-522-6545 Tickets and more information at www.southernrep.com or 504-522-6545 SPECIAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS Wednesday, March 22-Thursday March 23: Preview Performances ($25) Friday, March 24: Opening Night Reception to Follow! Thursday, March 30: Pay What You Can Night At the door only, starting one hour before curtain (tickets reserved in advance are full price) Friday, March 31: Ladies Night (all those identifying as a lady are welcome to a free glass of champagne prior to the show) Lagniappe Performances Fridays before the show, free and open to the public Friday, March 24 6:30 PM-7:30 PM TBA
Friday, March 31 Friday, April 7 Friday, April 14 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Melange Dance Company 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Gwen Mann 6:30 PM-7:30 PM Nana Grizols Panel Discussions Saturdays preceding the show Actor Talkbacks Sundays following the show Details subject to change, including cast, venue, and performance schedule. Please visit www.southernrep.com for the most up-to-date information. About Tennessee Williams, Playwright Playwright Tennessee Williams was born on March 26, 1911, in Columbus, Mississippi. After college, he moved to New Orleans, a city that would inspire much of his writing and that he considered his spiritual home. On March 31, 1945, his play, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, opened on Broadway and two years later A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE earned Williams his first Pulitzer Prize. Many of Williams plays have been adapted to film starring screen greats like Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor. Williams died in 1983. About Mel. Cook, Director Mel.Cook is a London-based theatre director working primarily in experiential and immersive theatre, creating autonomous narrative adventures for international audiences. Mel has worked with companies including the RSC, Shakespeare s Globe, the Royal National Theatre, Coney, and Punchdrunk, and has directed productions for a multitude of UK houses. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (BA Acting) and the University of London Birkbeck (MFA Theatre Directing), Mel has made work for theatres, festivals, and abandoned buildings from Auckland to York, and is thrilled to be adding New Orleans to the list.
About Leslie Castay, Princess Kosmonopolis Leslie Castay is thrilled to return to Southern Rep, where audiences may remember her award winning performances in Southern Rep s productions of NEXT TO NORMAL and GREY GARDENS, as well as in Aimée Hayes Southern Rep directorial debut, THE CLEAN HOUSE. She is a seasoned veteran of Broadway, National Tours, Off-Broadway and regional theatre during her nearly 20 years as a New York based actor. Locally she has been featured in productions with NOLA Project, Tulane Summer Lyric, and Le Petit, most recently as Eleanor of Aquitaine in LION IN WINTER (SEOS) and SWEENEY TODD with the New Orleans Opera. Film and TV: The Big Short, Beautiful Creatures, recurring and guest starring roles in Common Law, American Horror Story, and NCIS: New Orleans. Upcoming: IT S ONLY A PLAY with NOLA Project and Le Petit Theatre. About Martin Bradford, Chance Wayne Martin Bats Bradford is a native of New Orleans, La. and a graduate of Dillard University where he studied Mass Communications and Theatre Arts. Being bit by the acting bug as a child, he began writing and acting in his own plays in elementary school, propelling him into a myriad of camps, workshops and productions well into college. A writer, director (Youtube/GumboMonster504), teaching artist (Community Works), poet, storyteller (Primetime Family Reading) and podcaster (The FlyWithBats Podcast), Bradford lives to tell stories through the arts. Theatre credits include MACBETH, TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, PORGY, MISS EVERS' BOYS, THE ANGOLA 3, FENCES, FISHERS OF MEN, JUNGLE KINGS, TWO TRAINS RUNNING, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, ORPHANS and THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT. Martin has also acted in indie films such as NoLa Circus, Carter and June, A Quiet Storm, and Blaze, as well as television credits ranging from "American Horror Story: Coven", CBS' "Zoo", FOX's "Scream Queens", and recurring roles on The CW's "Containment" as Montana and CBS' "NCIS: New Orleans" as Ross P. About Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival The Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival is an annual fiveday celebration held in late March, which showcases national and regional scholars, writers, and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, a fiction contest, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances, a bookfair, and more.
The Festival is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of teachers, writers, book-sellers, city government personnel, corporate representatives, and television consultants. It is a 501(c)3 organization, chartered in the state of Louisiana. Funding comes from auxiliary events, fund-raising parties, corporate and individual donations, and public and private foundation donations. About Southern Rep Theatre Entering its 30th Season, Southern Rep Theatre produces award-winning productions that are engaging, educational, and accessible for audiences of every socioeconomic background. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes and Managing Director Jenny Windstrup, Southern Rep Theatre's Mainstage Season work includes bold World and Regional Premieres as well as the best of Broadway, off-broadway, and classic plays. Southern Rep Theatre's Lagniappe Series and "School to Stage Pipeline" of Arts Education Programs reflect the company's ongoing commitment to new play development by providing resources for students and burgeoning theatre professionals and supporting a more diverse theatre community. A mainstay of New Orleans arts community, Southern Rep Theatre continues to build on its unique position as a sector leader, creative force, and important resource for contemporary American theatre. For more information about Southern Rep or to purchase tickets, please visit www.southernrep.com or call the box office at 504-522-6545. Southern Rep Theatre is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @southern_rep. ###