Cohesion Theatre Company to Premiere Alice Stanley's SALLY MCCOY

Cohesion Theatre Company has announced the first production of their 2017/18 theatrical season, the world premiere of Cohesion Co-Founder, Alice Stanley's critically acclaimed new play, Sally McCoy. Cohesion Co-Founder, Brad Norris will direct this story of desperation, honor, and strength in the face of adversity.

After a successful workshop as part of the Strand Theater's Women on Top Festival, Cohesion has picked up Stanley's work for full production. "It is a perfect fit for our season's theme, E Pluribus Unum", says Cohesion Co-Founder, Brad Norris. "We are proud to begin our season long exploration into American identity, difference, and unity with such a distinctly American story."

Set in August of 1882, in the midst of the first gruesomely violent event of the legendary Hatfield and McCoy feud, and with her three eldest sons captured by the Hatfield clan, Sally McCoy defies her womanly place in the home and crosses miles of Appalachian wilderness in the dark of night in order to save her children from certain death at the vengeful hands of the Hatfields. After traveling miles alone in the dark of night to the home of the Hatfield patriarch, "Devil" Anse Hatfield, Sally refuses to let anything stand in her way until she's seen the "Devil" face to face.

Sally McCoy will reunite Katharine Vary and Jonas David Grey from the original workshop at the Strand Theater in the title role and "Devil" Anse Hatfield respectively. "I could not be more excited to work on this piece, and see it in full production," says Katharine Vary. "This role is so emotionally taxing, and so rewarding at the same time. It's rare to feel so personally connected to something like this, but Alice has done truly amazing work here." The cast is rounded out with Thom Sinn as Valentine Hatfield, Jane Jongeward as Johnse Hatfield, and Betse Lyons as Cap Hatfield.

Sally McCoy tells a harrowing and deeply personal story, while also taking a hard look at one woman's role in the formation of a defining moment of American history. "The events of the play are true," says Norris. "We know that Sally visited the Hatfields in the middle of this horrible night, and we know what her intent was. What Alice has done is give us a powerful window into the private conversations and moments that aren't documented, and that make for some outstanding theatre." Making this production even more special is the fact that it will be the last for Alice Stanley in Baltimore, as they head off to Graduate School for Playwriting at the University of Texas at Austin this autumn. "It is very bittersweet," says Stanley. "I helped create this company, and this company helped grow and support me as an artist is so many ways. It's very hard to leave, but I'm so happy to have this show premiere at Cohesion as I take my step to the next phase of my life."

Opening night for Sally McCoy is Thursday September 14 at 8pm. Following opening night the show will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 4 pm from September 14 through October 1 2017. Please note, there are no performances on September 22nd or 28th.

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at www.cohesiontheatre.org. A special industry night performance will be held Monday, September 25 at 8 pm at which tickets for all artists will be just $10.

Cohesion performs in "The Fallout Shelter" at United Evangelical Church (923 S. East Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224) at the corner of East Avenue and Dillon Street in Canton. Patrons should enter the space through the grey doors on East Avenue. For more information about the 2017/18 Season at Cohesion Theatre Company, visit www.cohesiontheatre.org.

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