West End Productions presents EDUCATING RITA

It is the 1980s, Liverpool, England. Frank is a tutor of English in his fifties whose disillusioned outlook on life drives him to drink and to bury himself in his books. Enter Rita, a forthright 26 year-old hairdresser who is eager to learn and to change her social circumstances through the pursuit of higher education. Willy Russell delightfully weaves together the lives of these two unique characters, with great wit, humor and profound insight. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Educating Rita premièred at The Warehouse, London, in June 1980 starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston. The play was directed by Mike Ockrent, and in 1983 became a hit film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

JESSICA OSBOURNE, a Company and Founding member of West End Productions, who most recently was on stage in She Stoops To Conquer, treads the boards again as Rita. Born in England, Jessica trained at Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts, London. Last year she gave an awesome solo performance in the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Aux Dog Theatre, also directed by Colleen Neary McClure. Playing Rita's English tutor is FREDERICK PONZLOV, who arrived in Albuquerque last year. Actor/Director Ponzlov, whose stagework has been seen since the 1970s, was also co-founder and Artistic Director of the Long Beach Repertory Theatre in California. He has already become a part of our Albuquerque theatre community by acting at The Vortex, and is currently directing The Shadow Box at The Adobe. COLLEEN NEARY McCLURE, Artistic Director and Founder of West End Productions, is excited and honored to be directing Educating Rita.

Colleen earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Drama and Music, with honors, from London University. She has over thirty years of experience in professional theatre, film and theatre education. Colleen is a member of British Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild. She has directed and produced numerous productions and films in England and the United States, and has also performed extensively in London's West End, the United Kingdom and stages across America.

Educating Rita is being presented by West End Productions as part of its inaugural season. Albuquerque's newest theater company, West End Productions exclusively performs plays, past and present, from the United Kingdom. Educating Rita opens Friday, May 5th and plays for four weekends through Sunday, May 21st. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM, and will take place at VSA North 4th Art Center located at 4904 4th St. NW. General admission tickets are $25, $22 if purchased online, and $18 for seniors and students. Group discounts available. All tickets are purchased through the Hold My Ticket box office service. For more information and ticket purchases, please visit www.westendproductions.org.

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