ROSIE THE RIVETER to Return to Wild Swan Theater

Nationally acclaimed Wild Swan Theater continues its 37th season of bringing the finest in professional theater to area families with Rosie the Riveter.

Back by popular demand, this original musical production explores the lives of women who helped establish southeast Michigan as the "Arsenal of Democracy" during World War II. Written by playwright Jeff Duncan with music by composer Brian E. Buckner, it tells the remarkable story of the women who filled thousands of factory jobs left empty by men suddenly called to war during a momentous era in Michigan and American history.

Created for upper elementary, middle, high school, and family audiences, Rosie the Riveter is based on interviews with a group of original Rosies, now in their 90s, who worked at the Ford Motor Company Bomber Plant at Willow Run. Completed in 1941, it was the largest factory in the world under a single roof. With the cooperation of the Michigan Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA), we are thrilled to be uncovering and sharing the stories of these trailblazing women who helped redefine the roles, expectations, and occupational choices of women. The four main characters in the play all come to the factory to help the war effort but have different back stories. Donna (Marlene Inman) is a hairdresser form Ypsilanti with two children whose husband is at the front. Berenice (K Edmonds) is leaving the Jim Crow South and domestic servitude for her first paying job. Liz Marie, (Aynsley Martindale) discovers the pain of leaving loved ones behind. Giving up her studies at Michigan State Normal College, Kathryn (Sarah Briggs) thinks she will be using her college skills in the factory office but instead become a riveter like the others. Shelly Tocco and Erin Parrish, American Sign Language Performers, round out the cast.

Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional theater for family audiences of the highest artistic quality and to making that theater accessible to low income, minority and disabled children through low ticket prices and innovative outreach programs. Backstage touch tours and audio-description are available for blind theater patrons. These services are free but must be reserved by calling (734) 995-0530.

For more information about the company, its current season, touring programs and theater camps, visit the Wild Swan website at www.wildswantheater.org.

IF YOU GO:

Wild Swan Theater presents

ROSIE THE RIVETER

Performances:
Thursday, March 9 - 10am
Friday, March 10 - 10am & 12:30pm
Saturday, March 11 - 2pm

All performances at Towsley Auditorium, Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College.

Tickets $15 for adults, $12 for youth and seniors
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more
Purchase and Information: (734) 995-0530 or www.wildswantheater.org

Accessibility reservations: (734) 995-0530
- Wheel chair seating
- American Sign Language Interpreting
- Audio-Description and Backstage Touch Tours

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