Chautauqua Theater Company Announces 'Rx' As First New Play Workshop Of The 2009 Season

Chautauqua Theater Company Artistic Directors Vivienne Benesch and Ethan McSweeny are proud to announce the first New Play Workshop (NPW) of the 2009 season, Rx by Kate Fodor. Under the direction of Benesch, award-winning playwright Kate Fodor returns to CTC for the first time since her 2006 CTC/NPW breakout success with 100 Saints You Should Know.

In this big-pharma-office-dramedy, an erstwhile poet currently stuck editing American Swine and Cattle Magazine joins a clinical trial for a new drug to treat "workplace depression" - only to fall in love with the doctor in charge, leading them both down a twisty path in pursuit of a true prescription for happiness.

"Rx is not only an astute social satire about our culture's obsession with solving any and all our problems with the right drug," says Benesch, "but also a charming and moving love story. A thinking man's ‘Grey's Anatomy' for the stage. "

Kate Fodor's plays have been produced in theaters across the country including Steppenwolf TheatreCompany, San Jose Repertory Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Theater J, and Hartford Stage's Brand: New Festival and her international credits include a production at The Courtyard Theatre inLondon.

After its workshop at CTC, 100 Saints You Should Know was produced Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons under the direction of McSweeny. Along with rave reviews, it was cited on the topten plays of the year lists by Entertainment Weekly, TimeOut NY, and Theatremania and was published inSmith & Kraus' New Playwrights: The Best Plays of 2008.

She currently has film projects in development with Killer Films and Sharp Independent and is a resident playwright at New Dramatists inNew York. She has been awarded the Roger L. Stevens Award (Kennedy Center-Fund for New American Plays), Barrie Stavis Award (National Theatre Conference), and Joseph Jefferson Citation.

Now in its fifth season, CTC's New Play Workshop series introduces Chautauqua audiences to importantnew voices in the theater and to the staged reading as a thrilling theatrical event in its own right. In auniquely Chautauquan twist, CTC/NPW selects plays that correspond with the Institution's weekly lecture theme. Rx was chosen to complement and reflect the theme of Week Three: "State of Mind."

Each performance is followed by a discussion with the playwright, director and cast.A growing number of CTC/NPW's have gone on to productions at theaters across the country. Inaddition to Fodor's 100 Saints, last season's Sick went on to a successful run at New Jersey RepertoryCompany and is currently in production at the Berkshire Theatre Festival this summer; Rinne Groff's What Then, from the 2005 season, went on to an OBIE award-winning production at New York'sClubbed Thumb Theater Company and David Zellnik's Ariel Sharon Stands at the Temple Mount and Dreams of Theodor Herzl was produced by Theatre J in Washington, DC.Bringing Ms. Fodor's world to life is director Vivienne Benesch.

For CTC, her numerous directingcredits include last year's CTC/NPW Sick and 2007's production of Much Ado about Nothing. Othercredits include A Month in the Country, The Seagull and Getting Out for the Juilliard School and a highlyacclaimed production of Richard III for the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey which was listed Top Tenof 2006 by Star Ledger.Three veteran actors make their CTC debuts in the cast of Rx.

Mikel Sarah Lambert plays Frances Godward, a widow in search of new underwear. A member of The Royal Shakespeare Company, Ms. Lambert's previous credits include the Broadway production of Cyrano de Bergerac, a drama desknomination for The Daughter-In-Law, and a starring role in the BBC television series "The Mackinnons." Elizabeth Rich plays pharmaceutical company boss Allison Hardy. Ms. Rich has worked with Ms. Fodor in the past, playing Hannah Arendt in TimeLine Theatre Company's production of Hannah and Martin for which she received a Jeff Award, After Dark Award and a Helen Hayes nomination. Michael Gaston doubles as researcher Ed and marketing exec Richard. His credits include the Broadway production of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg and numerous film and television credits including W., Bodyof Lies, "Jericho," "Mad Men," and "The Sopranos."

Completing the cast are members of CTC's Conservatory. Playing the depressed editor Meena Pierotti isLiz Wisan (Yale) who most recently performed at Yale Repertory Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival. Lincoln Thompson (National Theatre Conservatory) portrays lovesick doctor Phil Gray. His previous roles include the title role in Hamlet and Joe Pitt in Angels in America. Playing Meena's boss Simon is Craig Wesley Divino (Brown/Trinity Consortium) who played Richard Noakes in CTC'sseason opener of Arcadia.

Also from Arcadia is Caroline Hewitt (American Conservatory Theater) who plays pharmaceutical researcher Liza Salzburg.

Completing the cast as Flying Physicians' Recruiter isAndy Nagraj (University of Delaware) who has previously performed at Ohio Shakespeare Festival andTheater IV.CTC/NPW provides a stage for the Conservatory's design fellows to showcase their respective talents.

Set Design Fellow Catie Hevner is currently pursuing her M.F.A. at NYU's Tish School and hasdesigned for Columbia University and Access Theater in New York. Lighting Design Fellow AnnieWiegand is completing her M.F.A. at Boston University. She was previously a lighting fellow at HangarTheatre and has designed for Boston Center for the Arts and Boston Playwrights' Theatre. Costume Design Fellow Crystal Gomes is pursing her M.F.A. at Carnegie Mellon University and has designed for New Repertory Theatre, The Nora Theatre Company, and Boston Children's Museum. Now in its 26 th season, the Chautauqua Theater Company is the resident professional theater and Conservatory for the Chautauqua Institution.

Internationally known actors, directors, designers andwriters join eighteen emerging artists from the nation's top training programs to form a unique companythat produces a vibrant summer of work in the historic Bratton Theater.

Patrons seeking further information about Rx or other CTC programming are encouraged to visit ourwebsite: www.CTCompany.org. The site also provides useful links to information about other events atthe Institution. Off-grounds ticket buyers may, at no additional charge, enjoy the Institution grounds fromnoon until 8 p.m. with a matinee ticket or from 4 p.m. to midnight with an evening ticket.

SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION Tickets: $12 (716) 357-6250.

For more information visit www.CTCompany.org.