FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761 March 7, 2007 THE RETURN OF Directed by James Pickering This production of THE NERD is proudly sponsored by Anne and Fred Stratton. Stiemke Theater One of the funniest plays ever written, this extraordinarily inventive, side-splitting comedy centers on the hilarious dilemma of Willum Cubbert, a young architect, who is visited by Rick Steadman – a man he's never met but who saved Willum’s life in Vietnam – who turns out to be an incredibly inept “nerd” who outstays his welcome with a vengeance. As Rick stays on and on, his continued presence leads to one uproarious incident after another. Tickets can be purchased in person at The Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells Street, or by telephone at 414-224-9490. Tickets can also be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com. Written by the late playwright/actor Larry Shue, THE NERD premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater on the mainstage during the 1980/81 season. It was an immediate success locally and quickly became a national and international success. In 1982 the play crossed the Atlantic with much success and was produced in Manchester, England. It opened on Broadway in 1987 featuring Mark Hamill of Star Wars as Willum Cubbert. The play continues to be a favorite at community and regional theaters across the country. Resident Acting Company Member James Pickering, who performed in the original production, will be directing this production of THE NERD. We are delighted to have THE NERD return home to where all the fun began. Playwright Larry Shue was born in 1946 in New Orleans, where his father taught Drama at Tulane University. With theater in his heart at a young age, he quickly developed the qualities of a great actor and a talented writer. Due to the extensive travel involved in being a college professor, the Shue family made several moves, but ended up in the Midwest. Graduating in 1968 from the Theater Arts program at Illinois Wesleyan University, Shue ventured into many areas of theater including acting, directing, stage history and design. In 1969 Shue served in the entertainment division of the Army during the Vietnam War. After returning home, Shue became a member of Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Resident Acting Company. Beginning his playwriting career at the age of 30, Shue quickly gained much respect after writing his first full-length play, THE NERD. As an actor and playwright for Milwaukee Rep, Larry Shue was featured as Willum Cubbert in the first production of THE NERD. Director James Pickering,who played the role of Rick Steadman in the first production in 1981, worked side by side with Larry Shue. Mr. Pickering made his directorial debut while directing THE NERD for Milwaukee Rep during the 1995/1996 season. Mr. Pickering is in his 33rd season as a leading member of The Rep’s Resident Acting Company. Many of his most memorable roles have occurred in the Stiemke Theater, notably Tobias in A DELICATE BALANCE, Richard Nixon in NIXON’S NIXON, Adolph Eichmann in THE WHITE CROW, Mr Rice in MOLLY SWEENEY, Jerry in BETRAYAL (opposite his wife, Rose), The Historical Event in HOW I GOT THAT STORY, Van Helsing in Dracula and Finbar in THE WEIR. Last season he was seen on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage as the disgruntled Vernon Volker in LAUGHING STOCK and the evil Professor James Moriarty in SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE. This season he has appeared as Patrick in HALF LIFE, Hugh in TRANSLATIONS and is currently appearing as Mr. Voysey in THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE in the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. Included in the stellar cast for THE NERD are Resident Acting Company Members: Laura Gordon (Clelia Waldgrave) and Torrey Hanson (Axel Hammond). Also included in the cast: Brian Vaughn (Willum Cubbert); Gerard Neugent (Rick Steadman); Melinda Pfundstein (Tansy McGinnis); and Chris Tarjian (Warnock Waldgrave). For more information about The Rep’s Access Services, please contact The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490.
Directed by James Pickering FACT SHEET THEATER: Stiemke Theater DATES: April 13, 2007 – May 27, 2007 DESCRIPTION: One of the funniest plays ever written, this extraordinarily inventive, side-splitting comedy centers on the hilarious dilemma of Willum Cubbert, a young architect, who is visited by Rick Steadman – a man he's never met but who saved Willum’s life in Vietnam – who turns out to be an incredibly inept "nerd" who outstays his welcome with a vengeance. As Rick stays on and on, his continued presence leads to one uproarious incident after another. PERFORMANCES: Tuesday 4/24/07 - 6:30 p.m. - Early Bird Tuesday 5/1/07 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 5/8/07 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 5/15/07 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 5/22/07 - 7:30 p.m. TICKET OFFICE LOCATION: TICKET PRICES: TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online at milwaukeerep.com NEW TICKET OFFICE HOURS: ### Open to the public before and after all evening performances, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s newly-remodeled Stackner Cabaret, located on the second floor of the Milwaukee Center, is our own full-service bar and restaurant. Featuring delicious dinners, as well as late night cocktails, coffee, and desserts, the Cabaret is the ideal meeting place for patrons attending Rep performances. For dinner reservations, call 414-224-9490. The Stackner Cabaret is now smoke-free. Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The Rep’s home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex, contains the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also “home” to a Resident Acting Company of 11 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season. The Rep is proud to be a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. The Rep is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association of some of the nation’s largest non-profit professional theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that represent the actors, directors and designers that work at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit professional theaters. This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume and lighting designers are members of United Scenic Artists, a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race. Milwaukee Repertory Theater |
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