HOPPER'S GHOSTS Come to Life on Stage This Week in P-Town

It has been 50 years since the passing of American artistEdward Hopper, but in Cape Cod his presence is still strong. It will be stronger still this September when playwright Kevin Rice's original play, Hopper's Ghosts, gets a complete re-staging at the Provincetown Theater. Funny and poignant, Hopper's Ghosts is Rice's creative interpretation of Edward and Jo Hopper's tumultuous, often comical marriage. In what might be called a 'slice of afterlife', the play depicts one of America's most famous artist couples. Presented by Payomet Performing Arts Center, this critically-acclaimed show will run for ten performances startingWednesday,September 6th through Sunday, September 17th. Also in P-Town this September (through October 15th), the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) is holding an Edward and Josephine Hopper exhibition featuring their recent acquisition of 96 drawings by Edward Hopper, 69 drawings and watercolors by his wife, Jo, and 22 diaries dating between from 1933-1956 chronicling the Hoppers' lives on Cape Cod and beyond.

Hopper's Ghosts enjoyed sold-out performances during its two previous runs in 2010 and 2011, and has received praise for its writing, direction, and performances. The story was born due to Rice's fascination with the artist couple relationship, something he has been exposed to over the last 25 years of his wife Marla owning a gallery in Provincetown. The competition and tension that arise in those relationships runs deep. This coupled by his long obsession with Hopper was the catalyst for the show. Inspired by Jo's diaries, historical and personal accounts of their life, and Rice's curiosity about the isolation in Hopper's work, this playis a delightful homage to two of the most important figures in American art.

Rice has created a spellbinding depiction of the relationship between this asocial narcissist, and the woman - a successful painter herself, beaten down both literally and figuratively by her chauvinist husband - who doted on him. His body of work is widely known. Jo's body of work had become Hopper himself. In the play, Jo describes herself as Edward's "devoted wife a.k.a. secretary, spokesman, cook, model, manager, fantasy object cum domestic abuse victim.'

Directed by Margaret Van Sant, the play features stage veterans actress Elizabeth Bell(AEA) as Jo Hopper and Robin Bloodworth (AEA) as Edward Hopper. Set design is by Tony Award-winning designer Tony Straiges who has designed 17 Broadway musicals. This is a fully-staged two-act play with one 10-minute intermission. Running time including intermission is 90 minutes. The opening night performance will serve as a benefit for the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.

Hopper's Ghosts: a Play by Kevin Rice. Show Runs: Wednesday, September 6th through Sunday, September 17th. Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford Street, Provincetown, Mass. Wed-Thur-Fri-Sat: 8PM. Sunday matinee: 3PM

Produced by Payomet Performing Arts Center. Directed by Margaret Van Sant and featuring Elizabeth Bell* as Jo Hopper and Robin Bloodworth* as Edward Hopper

*Members, Actors Equity Association

TICKETS: $28 General Admission. $20 for Artists, Students, Teachers and PAAM members. Tix ONLINE: www.payomet.org. Tix by PHONE: PAYOMET BOX OFFICE: 508-487-5400.

Kevin Rice is a founder and former co-Artistic Director of the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) and for the last ten years has served as Artistic Director of Payomet Performing Arts Center in Truro. He is the author of ten plays, four of which have been staged at WHAT and others at venues as diverse as the Edinburgh Fringe, and the Sakha Dramatic Theater in Yakutsk, Russia. In 2004 he was named one of NYCTheater.com's Theater Persons of the Year for his off-off Broadway production of his original satire, Amerikus Rex.

Payomet Performing Arts Center is a non-profit performing arts organization committed to gradual and sustainable growth in order to remain true to their core mission: to produce exciting professional live music, circus, theatre and humanities events rooted in strong social values. They proudly present exciting performances at its home in Truro and at various Cape venues throughout the off-season. http://www.payomet.org

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