Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Presents SPEAKING IN TONGUES 2/4-3/4

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announces their production of SPEAKING IN TONGUES by Andrew Bovell. This fascinating psychological drama begins previews in The Playhouse’s Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre February 4 and continues through March 4.

About the show: This theatrical jigsaw puzzle of parallel stories explores the betrayals of two married couples and the unexpected links among five isolated strangers, including a missing woman and a long-lost love. Each coincidental encounter and random confrontation exposes hidden connections in this stylish, noir thriller.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES was written by Australian playwright Andrew Bovell. He was awarded the AWGIE (Australian Writers’ Guild) award for Best Stage Play in 1997. In 2001, he adapted the play for screen as Lantana, which won him the AFI Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (2001) and the London Critics’ Circle Film Award for Best Screenplay (2003). SPEAKING IN TONGUES was first produced at Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company in 1996. In 2001, it made its U.S. premiere at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. Since then, it’s toured the world to great acclaim.

Bovell’s playwriting credits include After Dinner, Holy Day, Scenes from a Separation and Who's Afraid of the Working Class? His screenwriting credits include Strictly Ballroom, Blessed, Edge of Darkness and The Book of Revelation. According to Bovell, “SPEAKING IN TONGUES is about contracts being broken between intimates while deep bonds are forged between strangers. It maps an emotional landscape typified by a sense of disconnection and a shifting moral code. It’s about people yearning for meaning and grabbing onto small moments of hope and humor to combat an increasing sense of the alienation.”

Special Performances

Meet the Artists

These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, February 12

2 p.m. Sunday, February 19

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 22

8 p.m. Thursday, March 1
Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at The Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $27. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Credit cards are now accepted.

Sponsors

Honorary Producers:

David and Judith Morgan

Richard and TEddie Curry

Artist Sponsor:

Jack Rouse Associates
The 2011-2012 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by The Heidelberg Distributing Co.

Michael Evan Haney will direct. According to Haney, “I hope our audiences will recognize themselves in the characters and the situations. I hope the audience will feel like eavesdroppers and detectives and that they will be challenged and beguiled by this play. I hope it sparks great conversations on the way home, strengthens relationships and makes our viewers seek out more theatre like this.”

Other members of the production team include Set Designer Paul Shortt, Costume Designer Kristine Kearney, Lighting Designer Kirk Bookman, Sound Designer/Composer Fabian Obispo and Choreographer Mario de la Nuez. The Production Stage Manager is Jenifer Morrow.

The cast of SPEAKING IN TONGUES includes four returning actors to The Playhouse in the Park. Bruce Cromer (eight years as Bob Cratchit and seven years as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, King Lear and Barrymore) as Pete/Neil/John, R. Ward Duffy (The Understudy, Othello) as Leon/Nick, Amy Warner (A Christmas Carol, You Can’t Take It with You, Reckless and Twelfth Night) as Sonja/Valerie and Henny Russell (One) as Jane/Sarah.

Prices for SPEAKING IN TONGUES range from $25 - $69, depending on day and seat location and are subject to change. Tickets are just $25 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 4; 7 p.m. Sunday, February 5; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8. The official opening night is Thursday, February 9 at 8 p.m.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets to SPEAKING IN TONGUES are on sale now. For more information, call The Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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