END DAYS Begins Performances at Williamston Theatre Tonight

Mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company, Williamston Theatre, located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston, is collaborating this season with the MSU Department of Theatre on End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Tickets are now on sale for this funny, yet poignant story about the power of family.

End Days begins with five Preview performances starting tonight, January 24. During the first four Previews audience members will have the opportunity to take part in the process of creating a show by participating in a talkback session with the director following each performance. The Official Opening Night is Friday, February 1 with the show scheduled to run through Sunday, February 24. Performances will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at eight o'clock and Sunday matinees at two o'clock with additional three o'clock matinees on Saturdays starting February 2.

It's 2003, and sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein is having a bad year. Her father hasn't changed out of his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. Her new neighbor, a sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator, has fallen for her hard. And the Apocalypse is coming on Wednesday. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all. Hilariously funny and achingly poignant, End Days takes us on a wonderful journey exploring love, loss and the healing power of family. End Days is a co- production with the Jewish Ensemble Theatre in West Bloomfield. Please be aware this show does contain mature language and themes.

The cast of End Days consists of John Manfredi (Oedipus), Emily Sutton-Smith (The Usual, The Smell of the Kill) and MSU students Eric Eilersen (The Dead Guy), Andrew Head and Lydia Hiller. The Director is Williamston Theatre's Artistic Director, Tony Caselli (boom, The Usual). The production team includes Set Design by MSU faculty member Kirk Domer (Dead Man's Shoes, While We Were Bowling), Lighting Design by Ryan Davies (The Usual, Eleemosynary), Costume Design by MSU faculty member Lane Fragomeli, Sound Design by MSU faculty member Jason Painter Price and Prop Design by Alex Gay. The Stage Manager is Stefanie Din.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for tonight, January 24. Remaining Preview tickets are $15.00! Starting Opening Night, tickets prices are $25.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings, $22.00 for Saturday and Sunday matinees and $20.00 for Thursday evenings. Discounted rates are available for senior citizens (65 and older), students (with a valid student ID) and groups of 10 or more (booked at least 1 week in advance). Tickets can be ordered by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469) Tuesday - Friday from 12 - 6pm or by visiting our website www.williamstontheatre.org.

The Williamston Theatre and the Michigan State University Department of Theatre have entered into a partnership that will ensure collaborative projects between the two producing units like this production of End Days. The purpose of this alliance is to continue the successful mingling of academic and professional theatre artists.

The Williamston Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional live theatre company, dedicated to producing plays that excite, engage and entertain our audiences. The theatre opened its doors in 2006 and has received a number of local awards including the 2008 Robert Busby Award for extraordinary overall contribution to theatre in the Greater Lansing Area.

Williamston Theatre patrons will find ample parking on the street and in several municipal lots throughout the city. The theatre is located in downtown Williamston (exit 117 off of I-96) just south of Grand River Avenue. Additional information about the company and the 2012-2013 Season is available online at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469).

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