Williamston Theatre Presents A Michigan Premiere Of Orwell's 1984

Mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company, Williamston Theatre, located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston, takes a turn at classic literate with the Michigan Premiere of 1984 by George Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan. Performances begin Thursday, March 23 and run through Sunday, April 23. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 28 at Noon.

1984 begins with five Preview performances starting Thursday, March 23. 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, March 31 at eight o'clock with the show scheduled to run through Sunday, April 23. 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 April 1. The Conversation Sunday for 1984 is Sunday, April 9. Please note there will be no performance on Sunday, April 16 (Easter Sunday).

Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, 1984 brings us the story of Winston Smith, a cog in the giant machine state of Oceania. Winston has been caught struggling for scraps of love and freedom in a world awash with distrust and violence. With the brutal "help" of four Party Members, Winston is forced to confess his Thoughtcrimes before an unseen inquisitor, and the audience - which acts as a silent witness to his torture. A ferocious and provocative adaptation of one of the most prescient works of literature of the last century, 1984 asks: "What does it mean to be an individual?" "What does it mean to be human?" (Contains mature language/content)

The cast of 1984 consists of Tobin Hissong (Rounding Third, Flyover, U.S.A.), Curran Jacobs, John Lepard (Pulp, Rounding Third), Robin Lewis-Bedz (The Art of Murder, The Dead Guy), Brandy Joe Plambeck and David Wolber. The Director is Williamston Theatre's Artistic Director, Tony Caselli (Pulp, Too Much, Too Much, Too Many). The production team includes Scenic Design by Kirk Domer (Summer Retreat, The Gravedigger), Lighting Design by Shannon Schweitzer (Pulp, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol), Costume Design by Holly Iler (The Nerd, Summer Retreat), Sound Design by Jason Painter Price (A Painted Window, Rounding Third) and Props Design by Michelle Raymond (A Painted Window, The Nerd). The Stage Manager is Paige Conway (Rounding Third).

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for the Preview on Thursday, March 23. Remaining Preview tickets are still $15.00! We have raised ticket prices by $2 for performances in our 2016-2017 Season. Starting Opening Night, Adult tickets prices are $30.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings, $27.00 for Saturday and Sunday matinees and $25.00 for Thursday evenings. Senior citizens (65 and older) and members of the Military receive a $2 discount on all tickets. Student tickets (with a valid student ID) remain $10 for all performances. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more (booked at least 1 week in advance through the Box Office). Tickets can be purchased Tuesday - Friday from 12-6pm by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469) or by visiting the Box Office and ordered on-line up until 1 1/2 hours prior to the performance by visiting our website www.williamstontheatre.org. Payment is required at the time the reservation is made.

1984 by George Orwell (Copyright, 1949) is presented by permission of Bill Hamilton as the Literary Executor of the Estate of the Late Sonia Brownell Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan.

This production is made possible in part by an award from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional support from the Williamston Sunrise Rotary.

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, is the winner of a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant from The American Theatre Wing 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 2016-2017 Season is available online at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469).

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