The Ringwald Stages STUPID F**KING BIRD, Now thru 12/8

Aaron Posner's Stupid F-ing Bird, a "sort of" adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, makes its Michigan premiere beginning tonight, November 14 at Ferndale's The Ringwald Theatre. After previous productions played in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles to great acclaim, The Ringwald is honored to bring the play to Detroit.

Just as Chekhov's play told the story of a decidedly theatrical family, Posner's witty and wise script updates the action the 21st century America. As the play begins, a young playwright named Con is about to present his "site specific performance event" to his mother, the spotlight-hogging, successful actress Emma. Along for the ride are her lover, the famous author Doyle Trigorin, her brother Dr. Sorn, and various other houseguests. It soon becomes apparent that there is a daisy chain of unrequited love and missed opportunities afoot.

The Seagull, as drama critic Richard Gilman elucidated in his brilliant book "Chekhov's Plays: An Opening Into Eternity," de-romanticizes what it means to be an artist and what it means to be in love. This journey is continued by Posner with a galloping adventurousness and an often bracing contemporary wit. And as Posner himself says, "If the day-to-day struggle is not for survival then it tends to be largely about connecting in more meaningful and fulfilling ways with other human beings. In other words, of course, love. So there you are...Stupid F-ing Bird."

The cast, Detroit theatre heavyweights all, includes Jonathan Davidson as Con, Vanessa Sawson as Mash, Michael Lopetrone as Dev, Kelly Komlen as Emma, Joel Mitchell as Trigorin, Katie Terpstra as Nina, and Dan Jaroslaw as Dr. Sorn.

Joe Bailey will direct with special movement created by Jill Dion. Set design is by Alexander Henderson Trice, costume design by Barbie Amann Weiserman, sound design by Dan Morrison, and lighting design by Brandy Joe Plambeck.

Stupid F-ing Bird opens Friday, November 14, 2014 and plays through Monday, December 8, 2014 at 8pm on Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights with 3pm Sunday matinees. Ticket prices are $20.00 for Friday and Saturday performances, $15 for Sunday shows, and Monday nights are HALF OFF the original ticket price at only $10 a ticket. All students can now receive a $5 discount off normal ticket price on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances (available at the box office the day of the show with valid student ID). Tickets can be purchased at www.TheRingwald.com or at the theatre box office. The Ringwald box office opens 45 minutes before performances and tickets can be purchased with cash or Visa/Mastercard.

The Ringwald opened their doors seven years ago on May 11, 2007 with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Quickly, The Ringwald became a mainstay of Detroit's theatre community. Past Productions include: Angels in America, Into the Woods, The Motherfucker with the Hat, August: Osage County, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Bad Seed, Making Porn, The Book of Liz, Rent, and Love! Valour! Compassion!. The Ringwald was named 2009, 2012 and 2013 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit and Best Place to See Local Theatre in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the readers of Metro Times.

CAST:

Con played by Jonathan Davidson

Mash played by Vanessa Sawson

Dev played by Michael Lopetrone

Nina played by Katie Terpstra

Emma played by Kelly Komlen

Trigorin played by Joel Mitchell

Dr. Sorn played by Dan Jaroslaw

CREATIVE TEAM:

Direction Joe Bailey

Special Movement Jill Dion

Scenic Design Alexander Henderson Trice

Costume Design Barbie Amann Weisserman

Sound Design Dan Morrison

Lighting Design Brandy Joe Plambeck

Pictured: Vanessa Sawson is Mash in Aaron Posner's STUPID F-ING BIRD. Photo by Brandy Joe Plambeck.

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