FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761 November 17, 2006 BRAINS BATTLES BRAWN IN THIS POLITICAL COMEDY WRITTEN BY GARSON KANIN Made possible in part by the generous support of: Quadracci Powerhouse Theater A blustery businessman and his “sure-thing-hon” girlfriend visit Congress to do some business in the halls of power. But when Harry hires a jaded but conscientious journalist to give his gal “some educating,” she blooms into a force of nature that threatens to bring down Harry and his cronies. 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. Taking place in 1946, BORN YESTERDAY reveals to the audience a story of a big-businessman named Harry and his girlfriend, Billie, arriving in the high-class society of Washington D.C. Thinking his dame is too callous and dim for the high-class society, Harry decides to get her refined. He hires Paul Verrall, a witty columnist, to do the job who ends up inspiring his pupil to think for herself. The tangible trophy relationship between Harry and Billie ends up in ruins as she begins to discover the joys of invigorating independent thought. A classic comedy about the triumph of honesty over greed, BORN YESTERDAY favors human individuality and time-honored ethics. Playwright Garson Kanin worked in the performing arts all his life. His career began when he dropped out of high school to support his family by drawing on his talents as a musician and comic during the Great Depression. After a series of odd jobs and performances, Kanin began theatrical training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Soon after the completion of his courses, he made his first debut on stage in Broadway’s LITTLE OL BOY, directed by the famed George Abbott. Afterward, Kanin worked as Abbott’s assistant and continued to try his hand at acting in various productions. He soon was offered opportunities to work in film by Samuel Goldwyn and promptly relocated to Hollywood, directing such films as Hitch Your Wagon, A Man to Remember, The Next Time I Marry, Bachelor Mother and My Favorite Wife. In 1941, Kanin was called to serve in the military, where he collaborated with Carol Reed in the creation of the Academy Award-winning documentary called The True Glory. During and beyond the war, the playwright went on to author several plays and screenplays, the first of which, BORN YESTERDAY, was written for the stage. His screenplays, which were collaborations with his wife, actress Ruth Gordon, include: A Double Life, Adam’s Rib and Pat & Mike. For the stage, Kanin wrote: THE SMILE OF THE WORLD, THE RAT RACE and THE LIVE WIRE. Garson Kanin is also known for direction of the world premiere of Broadway’s THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and the popular FUNNY GIRL. Kanin was also the author of several novels and pieces of non-fiction, and a winner of numerous awards. Milwaukee Rep favorite, J.R. Sullivan, returns to direct BORN YESTERDAY. J.R. Sullivan has directed for numerous prestigious theaters throughout the country, such as: the Northlight Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, American Players Theatre, The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C. and The Pearl Theatre in New York City. Sullivan has been working with the Utah Shakespearean Festival as the Associate Artistic Director since 2002. Additionally, Sullivan is credited with the founding of the New American Theater in Rockford, Illinois where he served as the producing director until 1994. He has directed many productions for The Rep, credits include LAUGHING STOCK, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, THE FOREIGNER, BARRYMORE, PROOF, WIT, OF MICE AND MEN, DRACULA, THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, INSPECTING CAROL, ALL IN THE TIMING and THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ. Sullivan is currently a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the Actors’ Equity Association. Mr. Sullivan commented recently on BORN YESTERDAY that, “Comedy is the place to banter ideas. Comedy is the place for spirited exchange, the near miss, the sudden reversal. Hope. Even idealism. Just the thing to reverse the villainy that threatens life and love. Comedy supports the conventional yet very real idea that, yes, the ‘fittest’ might yet survive . . . Garson Kanin still gives us the heartening alternative and he draws it from our own faith in light and love. We are invited to bring our hope to the awakening of Billie Dawn and thus a new day in the human comedy. After all, in comedy . . . life goes on.” Included in the cast of BORN YESTERDAY are Resident Acting Company Members: Jim Baker (Senator Hedges); Rose Pickering (Mrs. Hedges); Lanise Antoine Shelley (Helen); and Deborah Staples (Billie Dawn). Also included in the cast are: Tony DeBruno (Ed Devery); Kalen N. Harriman (Manicurist); (To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors, or our Intern Company, please visit milwaukeerep.com). The production/design team for BORN YESTERDAY includes: Bill Clarke (Scenic Designer); Joseph Appelt (Lighting Designer); Bill Black (Costume Designer); Lindsay Jones (Sound Designer); Lesley Anne Stone (Stage Manager); Valerie Rosile (Assistant Stage Manager); and Margo Gray (Assistant Director). Tickets to BORN YESTERDAY range in price from $7.50 to $52.50. Students and senior citizens may purchase half-price RUSH TICKETS with proper identification 60 minutes before curtain time for all Quadracci Powerhouse performances at The Rep Ticket Office. For more info rmation or to charge tickets , call 414-224-9490. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com. For group sales of 20 or more, call The Rep Ticket Office at 414-224-9490. 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. Special Events for BORN YESTERDAY
For more information about The Rep’s Access Services, please contact The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490. BRAINS BATTLES BRAWN IN THIS POLITICAL COMEDY WRITTEN BY GARSON KANIN FACT SHEET THEATER: Quadracci Powerhouse Theater DATES: November 29, 2006 – December 31, 2006 DESCRIPTION: Today’s Washington lobbyists ain’t got nothin’ on Harry Brock! A blustery businessman and his “sure-thing-hon” girlfriend visit Congress to do some business in the halls of power in this American classic comedy. But when Harry hires a jaded but conscientious journalist to give his gal “some educating,” she blooms into a force of nature that threatens to bring down Harry and PERFORMANCES: Tuesday 12/26/06 - 7:30 p.m. Audio Description 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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