Milk Can Theatre Co. Goes Mental In Rep May 7-23 At Urban Stages

Eccentric behavior and mental illness are often separated by little more than a razor's edge. The Milk Can Theatre Company looks at both sides of the equation with ML Kinney's full-length comedy Life Among the Natives, a story of coming out and coming to terms with one's roots; and The Disorder Plays, six short works both somber and satirical, about psychiatric disorders and mental illness, presented in one performance. Both shows will be performed in repertory at Urban Stages, located at 259 West 30th Street, beginning May 7th.

In Life Among The Natives, Jewel Native is a quiet unassuming accountant whose girlfriend Amanda drops by unexpectedly to finally meet the family Jewel doesn't talk about: Grandma Native (a.k.a. Tinkerbell) pops pills with abandon and is convinced Elvis is living next door. Tink's daughter Azalea (Jewel's mom) is a big game huntress whose latest prize is Adam the Monkey Boy, a young man she found being raised by primates on the African veldt. Jewel's younger sister Lulu has a fascination with the military and a penchant for planting mines in the backyard, and her father is a local politician who is running for office on a platform of cross-dressing. Can Jewel, who still hasn't come out to her family, make then accept both her lifestyle and what Amanda means to her? Even more importantly, can Jewel finally accept her family when she's absolutely terrified of becoming as crazy as they are?

The cast of Life Among The Natives features Tom Cleary*, Ashton Heyl, Miranda Jonte, Samuel Muniz, Jacqueline Sydney*, Meghan Rose Tonery, JJ vonMehren and Emily Ward.

Next, a Psych 101's worth of diagnoses are explored in The Disorder Plays, a collection of six short works that examine psychological disorders and living with mental illness, with messages both serious and satirical, adding up to an illuminating evening that goes somewhat beyond therapy.
The Disorder Plays lineup is as follows:

BMW
By Cheryl L. Davis
Directed by Dev Bondrain
Featuring: Jed Peterson*, Miranda Shields

After taking his fiancée to meet his obsessive-compulsive mother, David begins to realize the girl he plans to marry is more like his mom than he realizes. A story about love, enabling, silverware and Googlemaps.

Cutting
By Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Directed by Riv Massey
Featuring: Amanda Nichols, Nate Washburn
Emma looks at the hundreds of self-inflicted cuts on her stomach as a badge of honor, but when the man she's involved with learns the truth, will he be able to help her, or will he even want to?

Another Intervention
By Andy Snyder
Directed by Kimberly VerSteeg
Featuring: John J. Isgro,* Katherine Nolan Brown, Kyle Minshew*

In this biting comedy, Carl is responding well to medication and therapy to treat his manic depression. However, neither his boss nor wife likes the "new Carl," with his more laid-back approach at work and less passionate attitude at home. But what does Carl have to say about all this?

The Third Date
By Bethany Larsen
Directed by Maureen Stanley
Featuring: John Graham, Courtney Kochuba
Natalie, who has a history of bad relationships, has another date with David who is struggling to control his episodes of paranoid schizophrenia. Can these two broken souls find each other, and learn to leave their past behind? More importantly, will they make it to the movie in time to secure good seats, and get popcorn??

Emilia's Wish
By Lorraine Cink
Directed by Riv MasseyFeaturing: Jenny Bennett, Jed Peterson*, Douglas Taurel*
Emilia continually insists there's something wrong with her, even though the doctor can't find anything. But since it's her birthday, Emilia must be right, mustn't she? Happy Birthday, Emilia!

What if...
By ML Kinney
Directed by: Lorraine Cink
Featuring: Melissa D. Brown

A woman becomes obsessed with the possibilities of what might happen and what could happen and what may happen next.

Founded in the summer of 2003, The Milk Can Theatre Company creates theatre that establishes a dialogue between audience & artists, between playwrights & directors, between an idea & its realization. They provide a home for artists to take risks, collaborate, write, direct, produce, design, and explore their potential.

Life Among The Natives will be performed from May 7 through May 22. Show times are Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 6pm. The show runs approximately 80 minutes. The Disorder Plays will be performed from May 8-May 23. Show times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. The show runs approximately 70 minutes. Both plays are Equity showcases.

The Saturday May 15th performance of The Disorder Plays is a special benefit performance and will begin at 7pm. Tickets are $50.00, which includes a ticket to the Milk Can Theatre Company's annual "Spring Fling" Fundraiser. For more information go to www.milkcantheatre.org.

Both Life Among The Natives and The Disorder Plays will be performed at Urban Stages, located at 259 West 30th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues). Tickets to each show are $18.00, $15.00 for students and seniors.

Reservations: 212-868-4444 or on-line at www.smarttix.com.