Minnesota Jewish Theatre Kicks Off 19th Season with RACHEL CALOF Tonight

This summer, the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company opens its 19th season with a limited engagement of Rachel Calof, a solo theatrical tour de force starring Kate Fuglei. This debut production plays seven days only - today, August 15 through August 25 - at the intimate Hillcrest Center Theater; tickets now available. This special presentation has been adapted for the stage by Ken LaZebnik with music and lyrics by Leslie Steinweiss.

Rachel Calof is based on the memoir of a Jewish picture bride who emigrated from Russia to North Dakota in 1894 to marry a man who she had never met, determined to make a new life as a homesteader. For four years after she arrives, she and her husband live in a twelve by fourteen shack with her in-laws and their children. Years later, at the age of 55 and living in St. Paul, Rachel chronicled her story which was discovered by her children after her death. This memoir with music is complete with engaging humor, compassion, and a detailed account of the hardships she encountered.

"Kate Fuglei carries the one woman show in her captivating portrayal..." raves BACKSTAGE.com

Kate Fuglei got her professional start at The Guthrie Theater. She has played leading roles on stages across America, including Mrs. Webb in Our Town for Tony Award winning director Michael Greif at the LaJolla Playhouse, and most recently appeared as the Adult Woman in the Broadway National Tour of Spring Awakening, directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer. A Nebraska native, she was delighted to be in a new staging of Willa Cather's My Antonia, directed by Scott Schwartz, with music by Stephen Schwartz. She has performed at America's leading regional theaters. Her film credits include the upcoming Green Hornet, The Onion Movie and Lifetime's Amish Grace. Recent television work includesThe Event, Desperate Housewives, and on Love That Girl! Her many other television roles include appearances on N.C.I.S., The Closer, Nip/Tuck, and Lincoln Heights.

Ken LaZebnik is a playwright and screenwriter whose work has been produced at theaters across America. LaZebnik co-wrote director Robert Altman's last film: A Prairie Home Companion. LaZebnik's most recent play, Theory of Mind, was commissioned for young audiences by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Vestibular Sense, which premiered atMinneapolis's Mixed Blood Theatre in 2007, was honored with an award from the American Theater Critic's Association at the Humana Festival in Louisville.

Leslie Steinweiss has most recently created music for Museum Scandals, a short film directed by Sande Shurin. He is currently writing and co-producing an album of his songs with his son Homer Steinweiss to be released on Dunham Records. He was composer-in-residence for the theater company Dearknows in New York City, with works performed atLincoln Center, Home for Contemporary Theater and Art in New York City, and Olympia Dukakis's Whole Theater in Montclair, New Jersey.

Rachel Calof will play:
Thursday, August 15 at 7:30 pm tickets $20
Saturday, August 17 at 8 pm tickets $28
Sunday, August 18 at 1 pm tickets $24
Sunday, August 18 at 7 pm tickets $19
Wednesday, August 21 at 7:30 pm tickets $19
Thursday, August 22 at 7:30 pm tickets $20
Saturday, August 24 at 8 pm tickets $28
Sunday, August 25 at 1 pm tickets $24

Tickets can be purchased by calling 651-647-4315.

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company is a non-profit organization now in its 19th year of presenting professional productions rooted in the Jewish experience and illuminating the common humanity among us all. The audience for MJTC is almost equally divided between Jews and non-Jews. For further information about MJTC, call 651-647-4315 or visit our website at www.mnjewishtheatre.org; or join our facebook family at http://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaJewishTheatreCompany or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/MNJewishTheatre.

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