Stoneham Theatre Presents THAT HOPEY CHANGEY THING, Now thru 3/15

This February, Stoneham Theatre installs the New England premiere of That Hopey Changey Thing, the first of The Apple Family Plays presented in collaboration with Gloucester Stage. Over the course of the next two seasons, Stoneham Theatre and Gloucester Stage will produce all four of Richard Nelson's Apple Family Plays: That Hopey Changey Thing, Sweet and Sad, Sorry, and Regular Singing. Stoneham Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes will be directing the same cast for all four plays and the set, props, and lighting will travel between stages. First up in the series is That Hopey Changey Thing with performances running at Stoneham Theatre from tonight, February 26-March 15, 2015.

That Hopey Changey Thing introduces us to the Apples, a typical liberal American family that cares very deeply about one another, yet still manages to push each other's buttons. Benjamin Apple is recovering from a recent heart attack, which has left him with amnesia. His niece, Barbara Apple, has graciously taken him into her home in Rhinebeck, NY to be his caregiver. Her siblings, Richard Apple, Marian Apple Platt, and Jane Apple Halls, join them for dinner on the evening of the 2010 mid-term elections. Here they meet Jane's new boyfriend, Tim Andrews. Conversations at the table cover everything from politics to the best way to de-skunk a dog. Benjamin's memory loss holds a family story captive, keeping the answer to a lifelong question out of reach. Jane stews over her latest book topic, American etiquette, and Marian taunts Richard for becoming a Republican. Themes of memory weave in and out of their discussions; its importance, and how it or the lack of it affects our behavior.

"Richard Nelson started these as a set of disposable plays, written for a moment in time, not meant to be revisited or connect to an audience years from when it was first performed," said Stoneham Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes. "But when we see the Apples, we feel like we are watching ourselves on stage. The examination of where politics meet the personal is a reflection of how we respond to the world around us. As Nelson progressed with each play in the series, it was evident that this exploration is still relevant for us today and these plays are indispensable."

The cast of That Hopey Changey Thing features Karen MacDonald* as Barbara Apple, last seen on stage at Stoneham Theatre in Doubt, A Parable and most recently in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins at Lyric Stage. The role of Richard Apple will be played by Bill Mootos*, who was recently in Absence at Boston Playwrights' Theatre and Good People at The Gamm Theatre, and previously at Stoneham Theatre in The Dazzle. Actors' Shakespeare Project founding company member Sarah Newhouse* will portray the part of Marian Apple Platt. Ms. Newhouse has previously appeared at Stoneham Theatre in The Sweepers, Picnic, Distant Music, and Miracle on 34th Street. The youngest sister, Jane Apple Halls, will be performed by Laura Latreille*, who most recently appeared at Stoneham Theatre in The Unbleached American, in Dear Elizabeth at the Lyric Stage, and The Trials of Gertrude Moody at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre. Paul Melendy* will take the part of Jane Apple Hall's boyfriend, Tim Andrews. The role of the amnesiac uncle, Benjamin Apple, will be delivered by Joel Colodner*, who has performed on Broadway with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow in Arthur Miller's A Memory of Two Mondays and in Stoneham Theatre's production of The Rimers of Eldritch.

That Hopey Changey Thing opens on February 26, 2015 and runs through March 15, 2015. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Press Opening is Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 3pm. There is a post-show talkback on Sunday, March 1, 2015. Tickets are $45-$50. Senior tickets are $40-$45. Student tickets are $15 (with a valid ID). For more information or to purchase tickets, call Stoneham Theatre's Box Office at 781-279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

*Denotes members of Actors' Equity Association.

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