Pegasus Theater Presents The Frequency of Death!
By: Gabrielle Sierra Dec. 22, 2011
Pegasus Theater will present The Frequency of Death!, a new play in the much beloved series of "Living Black & White" shows designed and produced by Pegasus Theater since 1986. Kurt Kleinmann returns as Harry Hunsacker in this production at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX, with a cast directed by Robert Bartley and co-starring Broadway and Off-Broadway’s Susan Mansur.
The Frequency of Death!, which takes place in the studios of radio station WKIL during a live broadcast of “The Mystery Challenge,” is an affectionate parody of detective films of the 1930s and 40s, performed entirely and uniquely in black and white, including set, lights, costumes and make-up.
Bartley shared: “It’s thrilling to have the opportunity to direct a new play in the city where I first worked in theatre before moving to New York twenty-five years ago. The experience of working on The Frequency of Death is so extraordinary. You’ll have to see it to believe it. It literally feels like you’re watching an old black and white murder mystery on Turner Classics, but it’s live theatre!”
Bartley is the creator and director/choreographer of Broadway Backwards, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, scheduled for its 7th edition on March 5, 2012 at Broadway’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Bartley has also directed The Cuban and the Redhead (Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles, the NAMT Festival in NYC and Village Theatre’s New Works Festival), Family Fiorelli (NYMF), The Tales of Custard the Dragon (Off Broadway’s DR2 Theatre) and Hair (Peculiar Works).
Mansur is a veteran of Broadway and Off-Broadway, having gotten her start in the original production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as the lonely waitress Doatsey Mae. Mansur was in the revival of Damn Yankees with Jerry Lewis and toured with White Christmas for five years before joining the Broadway company. Mansur created many Off-Broadway roles, including Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Myrna Thorn in Ruthless, Icy Spoons in Night of the Hunter, Meemaw in Stand By Your Man and Pricilla Vanderhosen in Cy Coleman's last musical Exactly Like You! (co-starring Robert Bartley).
The cast of The Frequency of Death also includes Ben Bryant, Chad Cline, Christopher Curtis, Gordon Fox, Charissa Lee, Leslie Patrick, Bailey Lawrence, Greg Phillips, Ben Schroth, Simone Gundy and The Frequency of Death! author Kurt Kleinmann as Harry Hunsacker.
The Frequency of Death! opens at the Eisemann Center on December 31, 2011, following two preview performances, and runs through January 22, 2012, with performances Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 PM. Following the run at the Eisemann Center, The Frequency of Death will transfer to the new MCL Grand Theatre in Lewisville, TX for a limited one-week engagement, running from January 26 through January 29, 2012. Tickets range from $20 to $35. New Year’s Eve performance and party cost $50. Student, Senior and STAGE discounts are available at some performances. Special “Pick-a-Price” tickets available for the first preview performance.
Tickets for The Frequency of Death! at The Eisemann Center are available through at 972.744.4650 or www.eisemanncenter.com.
Tickets for The Frequency of Death! at the MCL Grand Theater are available at 214.880.0202, www.attpac.org or at the Winspear Box Office, 2403 Flora Street in Lewisville, TX.
Pegasus Theatre is a professional not-for-profit theatre that began operations in October 1985 in Dallas, Texas. The mission of Pegasus Theatre is to: “Produce new and original comedies in a professional setting, highlighting the talents of North Texas theatre artists.”
Comments
Join Team BroadwayWorld
Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.
Videos