Monday, October 11, 2010

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Theatre presents The Pillowman in the SRO Theatre of the Cultural Arts Building, Oct. 21-24, as part of the Student Lab Series. All show times are 8 p.m. except for a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Irish author Martin McDonagh's most speculative work, The Pillowman is the story of a writer in a totalitarian state and how he attempts to keep his stories alive, even after he is dead. Student director Seth Rosenke notes that McDonagh is known for realistic settings in which absurd and usually dark conflicts occur, but he is also known humor, and dark comedy highlights the theme of his works.

"McDonagh often makes us laugh at things that we normally wouldn't find funny," said Rosenke, a senior theatre major. "The Pillowman is a prime example. It's largely about art. That notion of being immortalized by leaving some part of yourself behind has always resonated with me, and that's what attracted me to this play. It is also about telling stories, which is one of my favorite childhood pastimes."

Principal characters in The Pillowman are Katurian K. Katurian (played by Owen Hickle-Edwards), his troubled brother Michal (Jacob Keohane) and detectives Tupolski and Ariel (Charles Johnston and Taylor Kowalski), the police officers interrogating the brothers.

The Pillowman contains disturbing scenes of violence and adult language. It is intended for mature audiences only.

Individual show tickets are $5 general public and $3 for UNCW students, available at the door only. Season punch card holders are entitled to one free admission for The Pillowman with presentation of punch card. For additional show information, contact the Box Office hotline at 962-2753.

Student Lab Series productions are funded in part through the Terry Rogers Award scholarship fund and are produced, directed, designed and performed entirely by UNCW students.

Other 2010-11 Department of Theater productions, all in the Mainstage Theatre, include:

Pippin (in conjunction with the Department of Music)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Roger O. Hirson
Directed by Frank P. Trimble
Music direction by Nancy King, Lynn O'Connell and Bob Russell
Choreographed by Nancy Carson & Frank P. Trimble
November 4-7, 11-14

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Renée Vincent
February 24-27, March 3-6

Trojan Women by Euripides
Directed by Paul Castagno
April 7-10, 14-17

Media contact: Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

Media are welcome to attend production rehearsals and take video or still photos, or do a live preview. Rehearsal schedule available by request.

Photo caption: Members of the cast of The Pillowman, from left to right: Taylor Kowalski as Ariel, Owen Hickle-Edwards as Katurian and Charles Johnston as Tupolski. Part of the Student Lab Series, the play runs Oct. 21-24 at UNC Wilmington.