Press Release

 

Robert Hewett’s New International Hit, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, Makes Its Regional Debut at Triad Stage, April 26 – May 17, 2009

 

(Greensboro, NC) —Triad Stage joins a select group of theaters around the world to produce Australian playwright Robert Hewett’s new hit play, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. Every action has a reaction. One crime has many points of view. One moment of passion alters several lives forever. One gifted performer plays seven very different roles in this international hit. After Rhonda Russell’s husband leaves her, she suspects him of cheating. Overwhelmed with emotion, she takes matters into her own hands and everyone pays the price in this captivatingly brilliant and heartfelt play about loss and ultimate redemption. The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead runs April 26 through May 17, 2009. Opening Night is Thursday, April 30.

Robert Hewett began his career as an actor, but quickly turned to playwriting, where he attributes his success to his understanding of theater’s unique qualities and flexibility. The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is his first single-performer play, created in response to an actor-friend’s complaint about the lack of work available for mature actresses. The play received its world premiere in Sydney in 2004 and has since been produced throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Described as “Rashomon (the Akira Kurosawa film in which the story is told from several different vantage points) meets Alan Bennett” (the British actor, humorist and author of The History Boys and The Madness of King George), The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is presented as a series of individual monologues by characters that are affected by the actions of Rhonda Russell, the first character in the play. The story is revealed in a “whodunit” style, with each character disclosing another aspect of Rhonda’s deed. As Hewett explains, “The play is about the nature of truth–how people perceive it–and obligation and blame.” But the playwright is quick to add it is not all drama and mystery. “I always prefer to make sure there is a lot of laughter. The rest will take care of itself.”

Triad Stage’s production of The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is directed by Eleanor Holdridge (Art and Noises Off at Triad Stage, with numerous Off-Broadway and regional theater directing credits). All seven characters are portrayed by Kate Goehring. Ms. Goehring is a veteran actress who has starred in regional theater productions across the country and was last seen at Triad Stage in The Little Foxes in September 2007.

The creative team includes: scenic and costume designer Anya Klepikov (numerous set and costume designs at Yale and Princeton universities), lighting designer Norman Coates (Mrs. Warren’s Profession, “Master Harold”…and the boys and more at Triad Stage, plus several Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater credits), sound designer Gèneva B. Conaway Bennison (Doubt; Bell, Book and Candle; and Black Pearl Sings! at Triad Stage) and projections designer Bill McCord, professor of cinematography at UNC School of the Arts with a long list of major motion picture credits. The dramaturg is Drew Barker and the stage manager is Eric Tysinger.  

Biographies for the cast and creative team, and more information on the production can be found online at www.triadstage.org.

The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is part of ArtBeat Greensboro – a weeklong celebration of the arts produced in collaboration with Triad Stage, Eastern Music Festival and the Greensboro Symphony. Information and events can be found online at www.artbeatgreensboro.org.

Tickets for preview performances of The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, on April 26, 28 and 29, are all $16 each. From Opening Night, April 30, single ticket prices range from $10 to $42. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seat location desired.

Triad Stage is honoring moms on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10 with its “Mother’s Day 50% Off Ticket Special”. When patrons purchase one ticket at the regular price to the May 10 matinee or evening performances, they may purchase a second ticket of equal value at 50% off for Mom. There is a limit of one discounted ticket per order and some restrictions apply. Call the Box Office at 336.272.0160 for tickets and more information.

All performances are at Triad Stage at The Pyrle Theater, located at 232 South Elm Street in historic downtown Greensboro, North Carolina (between Market and Washington Streets).

Show times for The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead are 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. There are no matinee performances during previews. Pay-What-You-Can performances are Sunday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 5, at 7:30 pm. Wine Tasting Friday is May 1, prior to the evening’s 8:00 pm performance. A Sign-Interpreted performance is on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 pm, with services provided by the Greensboro Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Technically Talking,a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the design team is Tuesday, April 28, immediately following the 7:30 pm preview performance. The InSight Series, the free humanities program that brings a noted speaker to the Triad to discuss the world of the play and its subject matter, will be held on Sunday, May 3, immediately following the 2:00 pm matinee performance. PostScript, a lively, open discussion with members of the company, will be held on Thursday, May 7, immediately following the 7:30 pm performance.

About Triad Stage
Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theater company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Mitre Agency, the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. The production sponsor for The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is CityView at Southside.

Triad Stage’s 2008-2009 MainStage “Season of Spirit” concludes with Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite, a classic comedy by Moliére, translated by Curtis Hidden Page and adapted by Preston Lane (June 7 – 28, 2009). The 2009-2010 Season – “A Season Together” begins in September with Picnic, a summer romance by William Inge (September 6 – 27, 2009), followed by Oleanna, a power play by David Mamet (October 18 – November 8, 2009), Around the World in 80 Days, a comic adventure by Mark Brown, based on the novel by Jules Verne (February 7 – 28, 2010), Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow, a life in music by Larry Parr (April 11 – May 2, 2010) and the world-premiere of Providence Gap, an Appalachian saga by Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett (June 6 – July 4, 2010). Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity, a seasonal celebration by Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett, returns for a fourth season as the holiday special (November 27 – December 23, 2009). New Season Passes for the 2009-2010 Season go on sale on Sunday, April 26.

All Triad Stage productions feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and haveearned the theater accolades including “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater”, Go Triad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year”, North Carolina Theatre Conference. 

To purchase tickets or for performance information on The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160 or toll-free at 866.579.TIXX (8499), or visit www.triadstage.org.

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CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

Triad Stage presents
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
A New Comedic Thrill Ride
by Robert Hewett
April 26 – May 17, 2009

Performed at The Pyrle Theater
232 South Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

Every action has a reaction. One crime has many points of view. One moment of passion alters several lives forever. One gifted performer plays seven very different roles in this international hit. After Rhonda Russell’s husband leaves her, she suspects him of cheating. Overwhelmed with emotion, she takes matters into her own hands and everyone pays the price in this captivatingly brilliant and heartfelt play about loss and ultimate redemption.

For tickets:
Phone: (336) 272-0160
Toll-free: (866) 579-TIXX (8499)
Box Office hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Online: www.triadstage.org
Ticket prices: $10 – $42, depending on performance date and seat location

Group tickets:
Call (336) 274-0067 ext. 218
Email: groupsales@triadstage.org
Ticket discounts: Groups of 10 – 49, 15% off; Groups of 50+, 20% off

Mother’s Day 50% Off Ticket Special:
Buy one ticket at regular price, get 50% off a second ticket for Mom. Good for Sunday, May 10 matinee and evening performances only. Subject to availability. Limit of 1 discounted ticket per order. Some restrictions apply.
Call: (336) 272-0160 or toll-free (866) 579-TIXX (Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Educators’ 20% discount tickets:
Current school teachers and professors receive a 20% discount off regular price tickets to all performances. Must present valid school employee ID or proof of employment to Box Office when picking up tickets. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.
Call: (336) 272-0160 or toll-free (866) 579-TIXX (Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Ticket prices: $8 – $33.60, depending on performance date and seat location

$8 Student Rush tickets:
Current students with valid school ID may purchase tickets for $8. Student Rush tickets are only available at the Triad Stage Box Office one hour before each performance. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.
Available at the Box Office for walk-up sales. (Performance days: Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

$10 Gallery Seats:
A limited number of $10 general admission gallery seats are available for each performance.
Call: (336) 272-0160 or toll-free (866) 579-TIXX (Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Also available at the Box Office for walk-up sales.

The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead Performance dates:
Sunday, April 26 7:30 p.m.  1st Preview  
Tuesday, April 28 7:30 p.m.  Preview/“Technically Talking” post-show discussion
Wednesday, April 29 7:30 p.m.  Preview  
Thursday, April 30 7:30 p.m.  Opening Night with free pre-show lobby party
Friday, May 1 8:00 p.m.  “Wine Tasting” pre-show event
Saturday, May 2 8:00 p.m. 
Sunday, May 3 2:00 p.m.  “InSight Series” post-show discussion
Sunday, May 3 7:30 p.m.  “Pay-What-You-Can” performance
Tuesday, May 5 7:30 p.m.  “Pay-What-You-Can” performance
Wednesday, May 6 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 7 7:30 p.m.  “PostScript” post-show discussion with the cast
Friday, May 8 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 2:00 p.m. Mother’s Day 50% Off Ticket Special
Sunday, May 10 7:30 p.m. Mother’s Day 50% Off Ticket Special
Tuesday, May 12 7:30 p.m.  Sign-interpreted performance
Wednesday, May 13 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 14 7:30 p.m. 
Friday, May 15 8:00 p.m.  
Saturday, May 16 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 17 2:00 p.m. 
Sunday, May 17 7:30 p.m. Closing performance