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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jef Hall-Flavin
director@twptown.org
866.789.TENN
A TOUR OF "ORPHEUS DESCENDING"
BRINGS TENNESSEE WILLIAMS HOME TO MISSISSIPPI
in Columbus, Oxford and Jackson, February 23 - March 3
January 26,2012, Provincetown, MA, USA – Backed by Mississippi cultural leaders, the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival is teaming up with The Infinite Theatre to bring their popular production of ORPHEUS DESCENDING to Tennessee Williams' home state of Mississippi next month. A total of nine performancesare planned in three cities: Columbus, Oxford and Jackson, Mississippi, from February 23rd through March 3rd.
For the past two years, this powerful rendition of ORPHEUS has been called "thrilling" with "outstanding performances." It was a runaway success at the annual fall Festival, held in September in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Arts,culture and political leaders from Mississippi were so impressed with theproduction that a coalition of supporters has been formed and funds were raised for the New York-based Infinite Theatre's production to come to Mississippi. It is co-produced by the Festival with over 20 people involved.
Tennessee Williams said, "Home is where you hang your childhood. For me that is Mississippi." The Mississippi Division of Tourism has recently become asponsor of the Provincetown Festival as a way of reaching a new audience.Theatergoers from 33 states visit Provincetown for the Festival, and this tour is another opportunity for solidifying partnerships between Mississippi and Massachusetts.
Sarah McCullough manages Cultural and Heritage Development for Mississippi Tourism. After seeing ORPHEUS DESCENDING last September in Provincetown, she was amazed at how Williams "so brilliantly expressed the complexities of human interaction and emotion." She also added, "We in Mississippi have a special capacity to understand the people in this play."
"What an amazing opportunity to bring this exquisite play back to its roots where it belongs," says the play's director, Nick Potenzieri, "We are incredibly honored to be invited."
About the Play
The production is conceived as a morality play – to be performed in a house of worship. The imagery in the text comes not only from the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, but from Williams' own Episcopal upbringing in small-town Mississippi. Three local churches will play host to this innovative show.
ORPHEUS DESCENDING takes place in the Mississippi Delta, where Williams spent his boyhood until the age of 7. The play follows the handsome, guitar-playing Val Xavier (Thomas Beaudoin) as he tries valiantly to turn his back on corruption. He appears in a metaphorical purgatory, arriving mysteriously in a small-town dry goods store run by an Italian immigrant named Lady Torrance (Irene Glezos). She's married to an old, dying man, but Lady takes in the alluring drifter, giving him a bed in the store and therebyunlocking her long-repressed desire. Val's arrival stirs up the insular,suspicious townspeople, leading to his inevitable expulsion, while thefree-wheeling misfit, Carol Cutrere (Beth Bartley), haunts Lady's store in atangle of innocence and vice. Broken, brazen and defiant, these three tragic heroes are the ultimate outsiders. Yet their ordinary weaknesses reveal extraordinary zeal.
About the Tour
In Columbus, Mississippi, the production is hosted by the Tennessee Williams Tribute, led by Brenda Caradine, who has teamed up with the First United Methodist Church to put on the play. Ms. Caradine is an annual attendee at the Provincetown Festival, and a tireless supporter of Tennessee Williams. The Tribute, which is an annual celebration of Williams' birthplace, has presentedseveral productions that were first shown at the Festival in Provincetown, but ORPHEUS is by far the largest production they have undertaken in Columbus. The Tributeand its generous supporters will beproviding scenery, props, and transportation. Three local actors will also be taking part.
In Oxford, Mississippi, the production is hosted by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, led by Wayne Andrews, who has partnered with the Paris-Yates chapel on the campus of the University of Mississippi, "Ole Miss." The Arts Council in Oxford has also made in-roads with another important cultural body, the Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival in Clarksdale, where the company will enjoy their day off exploring the areas where Williams set many of hisplays, including ORPHEUS.
In Jackson, Mississippi, the production is hosted by the Greater Jackson Arts Council and coordinated by local resident Jane Alexander, who has engaged the hospitality of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in the trendy Fondren neighborhood. Fondren Renaissance Foundation, Cabot Lodge Millsaps, Fairview Inn, New Stage Theatre and countless others have shown support for the production. The company will close the tour in the state capital of Jackson, and return to New York from there.
Ms. McCullough is elated that the play is on its way to her home state."For Mississippians, cultural heritage tourism is really about being a tourist at home and experiencing Mississippi's contributions to American culture." She says, "Given the richness of our literary heritage, having a New York theater company of this caliber bringing Williams' work home to Mississippi is not only an incredible opportunity for inspiration, but it is indicative of how far Williams' legacy reaches."
"The outpouring of support has been phenomenal," says Jef Hall-Flavin, Executive Director of the Provincetown Festival. "I couldn't be more pleased at how this stunning production is connecting people through the genius of our great American playwright. Here is real evidence of the marvelous synergy between our three Tennessee Williams festivals."
Performance and Ticket Information
ORPHEUS DESCENDING
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Nick Potenzieri
Produced by the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival and TheInfinite Theatre
Tickets are available at the door at all venues.
Columbus, MS
First United Methodist Church, Artz Fellowship Hall
602 College St. / Columbus, MS 39701
Box Office: 662-328-ARTS (2787) / Columbus Arts Council 501 Main St, Columbus
Performances:
Feb 23 ($5) Preview – 7 pm
Feb 24 – 7 pm
Feb 25 – 7 pm
Tickets: $15 Adults/ $10 Senior or Military / $5 Students
Oxford,MS
Paris-Yates Chapel
University of Mississippi / Oxford, MS
Box Office: 662.236.6429 www.oxfordarts.com
Performances:
Feb 26 – 7pm
Feb 27 – 7pm
Feb 28 – 2pm
Tickets: $10 Adults/$5 Students
Jackson,MS
St Luke's United Methodist Church
621 Duling Ave / Jackson, MS 39216
Box Office: www.orpheusinfondren.com and select Fondren merchants
Performances:
Mar 1 – 7pm
Mar 2 – 7pm
Mar 3 – 7pm
Tickets: $10 Adults/ $5 Students
For further information about the ProvincetownTennessee Williams Theater Festival, visit www.twptown.org
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