Photo Flash: Kitchen Theatre Co. Mounts Coming of Age Tale BRIGHT HALF LIFE

Kitchen Theatre Company continues its 2017-2018 Season with the regional premiere of Bright Half Life by Tanya Barfield, a love story that follows Erica and Vicky over the course of a nearly five decades long relationship. Performances of Bright Half Life begin at the Kitchen Theatre Company in The Percy Browning Performance Space on March 4 and run through March 18.

Erica and Vicky meet as co-workers, but soon they are much more than that to each other. The play takes us through the highs and lows of dating, marriage, and children, and it asks us to think about the way we remember our lives and what it means to be alive and in love. Barfield imbues her characters with a remarkable and universal humanity, inviting us to reflect upon our own relationships as we travel with Erica and Vicky through theirs.

"Bright Half Life is a universal and timeless story about both the gifts and challenges of partnership. After producing an early reading of this play a few years ago, I knew if I ever had my own theatre this would be the type of story I'd want to put on. Vicky and Erica's story is simple, theatrical, poetic, and deeply truthful." says Kitchen Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director M. Bevin O'Gara.

Vicky is played by Shannon Tyo, seen earlier this season as Ginny in Smart People. She is joined by another NYC actor, Jennifer Bareilles, making her Kitchen Theatre Company debut. Sara Lampert Hoover, director of eighteen previous productions at the Kitchen Theatre, directs. Scenic and lighting design is by Tyler M. Perry, sound design is by Sergey Levitskiy, and costume design is by Lisa Boquist. The production stage manager is Jennifer Schilansky. Brendan Komala is providing technical direction.

Special events for Bright Half Life include Pay What You Can Nights on March 4 and 6, Actors' Forum discussions after the show on March 9 and 16, and a Student Mixer on Wednesday March 7. On Sunday, March 11, there will be a special pre-show reception and post-show panel in conjunction with Hospicare & Palliative Care Services. For more events and information, visit kitchentheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Julia Pacheco-Cole

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