Stages Repertory Theatre Presents THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

Stages Repertory Theatre presents Jethro Compton's innovative stage version of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a gripping tale of love, hope and revenge in the lawless Wild West, based on the same Dorothy M. Johnson short story as the classic 1964 film starring James Stewart and John Wayne.

Premiered at Park Theatre in London in 2014, Compton's bold adaptation braves largely uncharted theatrical territory by bringing a classic Western to the stage. Stages is one of the first theatres in the U.S. to produce Compton's critically-acclaimed work, which The Telegraph called "super... a genuinely gripping drama" and The Stage lauded as "...highly atmospheric, visceral and triumphant". Compton plans to visit Houston to see the first Texas production of his play.

Building on Compton's progressive approach, Stages' production will employ a striking theatrical twist: The characters of the hero (Ransome Foster) and the villain (Liberty Valance) will alternate between two lead actors. Stages veteran David Matranga (Marie Antoinette, Dollhouse, Grey Gardens) joins his Straight White Men co-star Adam Noble to play both Foster, a young scholar from New York traveling west in search of a new life, and Valance, a vicious outlaw whose reign of terror forces Foster to make a choice: turn and run, or stand for what he believes.

"The artistic choice to have David and Adam learn both roles and switch characters for alternating performances not only creates an opportunity for two seasoned Houston actors to increase their creative capacities and skills, but also opens up a compelling exploration of the potential for both good and evil in every person," Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin will direct the 11-actor cast that also includes Stages Associate Artistic Director Josh Morrison (Shear Madness, Sexy Laundry) in the role made famous by John Wayne, Bree Welch (Who Am I This Time? (& Other Conundrums of Love), Rabbit Hole), Dwight Clark (Veronica's Room, Panto Cinderella), Atesko Factor, and interns Scott Greenberg, Carolina Reyes, Jonathan Robinson, Aaron Ruiz, and Amber Stafford, who appear as part of Stages' ongoing partnerships with Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Dance and Lorain County Community College, providing professional training and experience for college students planning a career in theatre.

Sound designer and composer Anthony Barilla, who is also the sound designer and composer for Stages' concurrent production Luna Gale, has created variations on original music specifically for the Stages production of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Barilla is a musician, writer and performance artist who has worked throughout the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Caucasus and regularly creates compositions for national radio program This American Life. In Houston, he is most recognized for his work with Infernal Bridegroom Productions and Catastrophic Theatre.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is made possible through special support from The Humphreys Foundation, Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, Richard L. Danforth and Macy's.

The roles of Foster and Valance will alternate on the following schedule:
May 24 - 28David Matranga as RANSOME FOSTER, Adam Noble as LIBERTY VALANCE
May 31 - June 4Adam Noble as RANSOME FOSTER, David Matranga as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 7 - 11David Matranga as RANSOME FOSTER, Adam Noble as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 14 - 18Adam Noble as RANSOME FOSTER, David Matranga as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 21 - David Matranga as RANSOME FOSTER, Adam Noble as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 22 - Adam Noble as RANSOME FOSTER, David Matranga as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 23 - David Matranga as RANSOME FOSTER, Adam Noble as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 24 matinee - Adam Noble as RANSOME FOSTER, David Matranga as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 24 evening - David Matranga as RANSOME FOSTER, Adam Noble as LIBERTY VALANCE
June 25 - Adam Noble as RANSOME FOSTER, David Matranga as LIBERTY VALANCE

Post-show Q&A discussions with the cast and creative team will take place Sunday, May 28 at 2:30pm, Thursday, June 2 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, June 5 at 2:30pm.

Performance times are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 2:30pm and 8pm, and Sundays 2:30pm.

Regular tickets start at $21 with savings for groups of 6 or more. To purchase, call the Stages Box Office at 713.527.0123 or reserve online at www.stagestheatre.com.

ABOUT STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE

Founded in 1978, Stages is a professional Equity theatre that produces new work, presents established work in new ways, nurtures and develops talent, and cultivates and strengthens relationships with Houston audiences. Characterized by courage, generosity, ingenuity and intimacy, Stages works to advance theatre and enliven community to make a more vibrant Houston.

Stages presents a broad scope of plays and musicals in an intimate setting, generating critical acclaim and creating powerful connections between plays and people. The third-largest theatre in Houston and the sixth-largest in Texas, Stages performs year-round, one of only a handful of Texas theatres that offers year-round employment for creative professionals. On average, Stages produces 12 productions per year totaling more than 340 performances and reaching 50,000+ patrons. All of Stages' shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by an exceptional community of locally-based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors and designers from around the world.

For more than a decade Stages has made a strong investment in nurturing emerging artists and craftspeople who have now become field leaders and working professionals. Stages' learning opportunities include performance and production internship programs for college students and conservatory-style training for middle and high school students.

Through this robust scope of activities Stages encourages conversation about important ideas, provides insight into other cultures and viewpoints, and helps develop each new generation of artists, audiences and citizens. For more information visit www.stagestheatre.com.

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