Grant's 'Pen' to Play Guthrie Dowling Studio, Begins Nov.3

The Guthrie today announced that Rob Melrose, assistant director for Othello (2003) and Artistic Director of San Francisco's The Cutting Ball Theater, will direct David Marshall Grant's Pen. A sly, perceptive new play about finding love, losing control and making the ultimate sacrifice, Pen begins previews November 3 and runs through November 25 in the Dowling Studio. Tickets are priced from $18 to $34 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

"As the 1960s come to a close, 17-year-old Matt Bayer (Marc Halsey) struggles to find balance out in the world and at home with his mother Helen (Michelle Barber). Confined to a wheelchair, Helen's multiple sclerosis continues to degenerate both her body and relationship with Matt; her sharp tongue and overbearing neediness threatens to stifle his last year of high school. Complicating matters is Matt's father, Jerry (Philip Callen), who left home to escape the pain of his wife's disease," explain press notes, "New Year's Eve finds the three together in one room for the first time in years, revealing the scars affecting from each person's painful struggle. Backed into a corner, the young man makes a choice that unleashes a series of events which force a broken family to confront its unresolved wounds. On a night dedicated to looking toward the future, Helen and Matt get a chance to glimpse the world from each other's perspective with help from an unlikely place."

Pen is the latest play from Grant, the actor/playwright whose first play, Snakebit, was nominated for both a 1999 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award. As an actor, he is best known for playing opposite Richard Gere in Broadway's Bent and for his Tony nominated performance as Joe Pitt in Tony Kushner's Angels in America. His acting credits include film and television work in The Rock, Air America, "And the Band Played On," "Citizen Cohn," "thirtysomething," "Labor of Love," and "Nothing Sacred." Currently, Grant serves as a writer and story editor for the ABC Drama "Brothers & Sisters."

The artistic staff for Pen includes Rob Melrose (Director and Set Designer), Christine Richardson (Costume Designer), Frank Butler (Lighting Designer), C. Andrew Mayer (Sound Designer), Michael Lupu (Dramaturgy), Michele Harms (Stage Manager), Christopher Flores (Assistant Stage Manager).

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily at 612.377.2224 or toll-free 877.44.STAGE. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.guthrietheater.org.

First preview is November 3 at 7:30PM; Opening Night is November 7 at 7:30PM with performances through November 25 at 7PM.  Show time are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30PM; Sundays at 7PM and matinees on Selected Saturdays and Sundays at 1PM.

Tickets ($18 - $34) are available at the Guthrie Box Office: 612.377.2224 or toll-free 877.44.STAGE. Tickets may be purchased online at www.guthrietheater.org.