Performance Network Theatre Presents WOMAN BEFORE A GLASS, 8/5-9/5

Performance Network Theatre announces its production of the larger-than-life comedy, "Woman Before a Glass" by Lanie Robertson. Performances will begin August 5 and run through September 5, 2010. This one woman show stars actress Naz Edwards as the eccentric heiress and avid art lover, Peggy Guggenheim. It is directed by Malcolm Tulip ("Amadeus," "The Seafarer").

The outspoken, convention-flaunting Peggy Gugenheim collected modern art...and modern artists. In this touching comedy, Peggy tells it all: from her father's death on the Titanic, to saving art from the Nazi invasion of Paris, to her history of famous lovers, including Miro, Dali, and Picasso.

Weekly performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm, with 3pm matinees on Saturday August 21 and September 4.

Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at
www.performancenetwork.org or by coming to the Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are priced at $22 - $41, with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups. Thursday, August 5 is the Pay-what-you-can performance with a suggested donation of $10.

"Woman Before a Glass" features set, costume and properties design by Monika Essen, lighting design by Mary Cole and sound design by Suzi Regan.

This production is generously sponsored by Arbor Brewing Company.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.

Naz Edwards is a Broadway performer now living in Ann Arbor. She starred on Broadway opposite Anthony Quinn in "Zorba" (as The Leader) and continued with Quinn on the "Zorba" national tour, for which her work won critical acclaim. Naz's Broadway credits also include the role of Dunyasha in the musical adaptation of "Anna Karenina" at Circle in the Square. She has graced the stages of many theatres across the United States and Canada, among which some of her favorite roles are Madame Giry in Ken Hill's "Phantom of the Opera," the role of Mahiette in Dennis De Young's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Baker's Wife" and "Carnival." Naz starred in "Funny Girl" with Stephanie Block, "Fiddler" and "Once Upon a Mattress" all at Music Theatre of Wichita. Here in Michigan, Naz was seen at the JET Theatre in "Side by Side by Sondheim," "Coming of Age" and this season's "The Blank Page." She has appeared at Performance Network in "Man of la Mancha," "She Loves Me," "The Clean House," "Souvenir" & "Little Shop of Horrors." Along with her passion for the theatre, Naz loves voice animation. One of her favorite characters is the wicked Queen Beryl from the cult cartoon "Sailor Moon." You can hear Naz's solo CD "...if the waiting takes years" on her website, www.nazedwards.com. The CD is available for purchase at this location as well as www.cdbaby.com. Naz is a very proud member of Actors' Equity, AFTRA & SAG.

Malcolm Tulip is an actor, director, playwright and teacher. At Performance Network he has directed "Amadeus," "Retreat From Moscow," "Mrs. Shakespeare: The Complete Works," "Humble Boy," "The Threepenny Opera," "Man of La Mancha," Timothy Findlay's "Elizabeth Rex," Yasmina Reza's "Art," Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," "Private Eyes" by Stephen Dietz and "The Caretaker" by Harold Pinter. He has also directed "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. He has also written, produced and performed in eight original plays under the name of Prospero Theatre Co., including the award-winning "Down the Plughole." He is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Directing Concentration in the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Michigan, where he teaches Physical Theatre, Acting, Clown and Directing and where he has directed "Two by Fassbinder," "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," "You Can't Take It With You," "The Burial at Thebes," "The Rover," "The Diary of a Scoundrel," "The Imaginary Invalid," "The Good Person of Szechwan," "Lysistrata" and "The Visit." As an actor he has toured extensively in Europe and the USA. More recently, in the U.S. he has performed at Performance Network ("Amadeus," "I Am My Own Wife," "Copenhagen," "The White Rose," "Molly Sweeney"), The Purple Rose ("Blithe Spirit") and the New Jersey and Michigan Shakespeare Festivals. Malcolm studied Dance and Art at Goldsmiths' College, University of London and is a graduate of L'École Jacques Lecoq, Paris. He is also a member of American Actors Equity.

Photo Credit: Peter Smith

To post a comment, you must register and login.