Know Theatre to Present THE FISHERMAN'S WIFE

Vanessa and Cooper's marriage is on the rocks.

She wants adventure (especially in the bedroom). He is compelled to fish the uncaring sea. Their relationship seems doomed to lethal monotony until a pair of magical sea creatures with erotomania and an "Alternatively Attractive" traveling salesman with a bag full of mysterious wares come to town.

Playwright Steve Yockey (author of Know Theatre's 2014 hit Pluto) draws inspiration from a famous Japanese erotic woodcut, "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife," to craft a story of a marriage in crisis that's naughty, hilarious, and a little shocking.

Describing his writing process for LA's This Stage Magazine, Steve Yockey said:

"My thinking at the time was twofold: 1) I'm going to take a stab at writing a built farce about the revitalization of a struggling marriage and 2) if I'm going to do that, then I'm going to use a lens I haven't ever seen before to explore it: tentacle porn. Full-tilt, uninvited sea-creature-on-human action. Because that kind of extreme is probably exactly what a marriage on the rocks doesn't need."

Know Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford returns to helm a show for the first time since 2014's Moby Dick. Says Andrew:

"This play is highly theatrical, incredibly unique, and very, very, uncomfortably funny. It's a show that had its start in tiny theatres in LA and Berkeley that share the Know's artistic bent, and we're really excited to bring our design and production aesthetic to this disturbing little play. We've assembled a fantastically talented comic cast that is a joy to work with and watch."

That cast features Know Theatre regular James Creque (Hearts Like Fists, Hundred Days, All Childish Things, Serials!) and Know Theatre resident artist Miranda McGee (When the Rain Stops Falling, Saturday the 14th, Hearts Like Fists, Silent Sky, Serials!). Returning to Know Theatre's stage are OTRimprov's Eileen Earnest (Beertown) and Andrew Ian Adams (Beertown, Hearts Like Fists).

Rounding out the cast in his Know Theatre Mainstage debut is Cal Harris, known around town as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Director of Customer Relations, and previously seen at the Know as part of last Summer's Serials! Roundhouse.

Taking lead on scenic design duties is Know Theatre's Design Associate Sarah Beth Hall, who has created a theatrical world that combines Japanese Edo period art and a New England seaside shack on Know Theatre's Underground cabaret stage.

And joining the know theatre design team as puppet designer is Brandon Johnson, fiance of Know Theatre resident costume designer Noelle Wedig.

The Fisherman's Wife also marks the final production for longtime Know Theatre Resident Stage Manager Kristen Ruthemeyer, who leaves the Know this summer to chase other dreams. Says Kristen:

"I've done a lot of weird stuff at the Know over the years, so it seems totally appropriate to end my time here with a show based on Japanese tentacle erotica."

All in all, The Fisherman's Wife promises a wild, very adult, night at the seashore. A night that's full of surprises.

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