Freshwater Theatre Presents World Premiere of LGBT Historical Romance MRS. CHARLES, Now thru 5/18

2013 Ivey Award recipient Freshwater Theatre Company finishes their season with the world premiere of Mrs. Charles, a brand new LGBT historical romance by playwright, historian, Freshwater Co- Artistic Director and author of 2010 Fringe hit Table 12: A Play at a Wedding Ruth Virkus*, directed by Jimmy LeDuc, theater faculty at Saint Paul College and freelance director whose recent credits include Dangerous Liaisons in Minneapolis and Grey Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia.

Starring Neil Schneider* as the titular Charles, the cast includes Nathan Tylutki, Katie Starks*, Ariel Leaf*, Rachel Flynn*, Sarah Broude, Erin Denman, Shannon Troy Jones, Matthew Cawley, Mikaela Kupierz, and Kevin McLaughlin. Stage managed by Alyssa Thompson, lights by Julia Carlis, set by Theresa Akers, props by Corinna Troth, costumes by Barb Portinga and sound by Anita Kelling. Norwegian translation and consultation by Lucas Skjaret.

As a companion piece, Freshwater Theatre will present Archival Revival, an anthology of performances based on sad, hilarious and quirky newspaper articles and local sheet music from Minnesota spanning the period of 1875- 1925. This exciting anthology show features both original and period music, spoken word, and dance to bring these almost forgotten moments of history back to life. The performers/creators featured are: Devious Mechanics (creators of the 2013 Fringe hit musical Teenage Misery), family performing group Standing Like Lloyd, Nathan Schilz (Studio Alethea Productions, creator of Nightmare Man and Kafkaesque), local performer and dancer Tinne Rosenmeier, Tangleroot Endeavors (2013 Fringe show Brittle Things) and Paper Soul Productions (Jeremy Motz, creator of 2013 Fringe solo mystery Boxcutter Harmonica and The Beacon From Belle Isle).

In 1878, Charles and Walter are in love, but the harsh reality of Philadelphia society keeps them from ever truly making a life together. When Walter is offered the chance to manage a milling concern in Minneapolis, they hatch an audacious plan: arrive there with Charles...as his wife. An extraordinary story of marriage grounded in the history of early Minneapolis and peopled with real historical figures and situations, Mrs. Charles is about what we're willing to give up, what we're willing to fight for, and what is really worth it in the end.

Mrs. Charles Archival Revival will play today, May 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30pm May 4, 8, 9, 11 and 14 at 7:30 pm May 4, 11 and 18 at 3:00pm. All performances at Nimbus Theatre - 1517 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN. Tickets: $15, $13 with Fringe Button (Ages 16+ recommended. Adult language, adult situations). Reservations & info available at www.freshwatertheatre.com or call 612-816-8479.

About the Company: Founded by the husband and wife duo of Ruth Virkus and Ben Layne, Freshwater Theatre was born from a love of Twin Cities theatre and a passion to promote this brave and unique theatre community. We at Freshwater Theatre Company believe that art comes from a place. And we believe, unapologetically, that our place is one of the very best. We exist not only to create our own theater, but to facilitate and promote a vision of the Twin Cities as a major exporter of performing arts, producing and promoting quality work from the Midwest, with an eye not only on producing new work, but giving plays of merit new life beyond one world premiere. Freshwater Theatre ...come on in, the water's fine.

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