Columbia Stages Presents MARIE CHRISTINE, 3/6-3/9

Columbia Stages is proud to present MARIE CHRISTINE, written and composed by Michael John LaChiusa and directed by Raymond Zilberberg (MFA Directing Candidate, 2013). MARIE CHRISTINE will run March 6-9, 2013 at 3LD as part of the Columbia Stages season, comprised of MFA thesis plays directed by graduating Columbia University School of the Arts students.

In 1894, deep in the heart of New Orleans genteel creole society, a young mixed race woman of privilege finds herself trapped by the men and social demands that govern her life. With headstrong disobedience and a gift for the power of Voodon she finds her escape in managing the love affairs of others. When an ambitious white sea captain passes through town, she discovers her own all-consuming love. Together they chart the waters of their romance to the burning streets of Chicago's First Ward with a trail of blood along the way. Inspired by the life of Marie Laveaux and adapted from Euripides's The Medea, this rarely produced musical by Michael John LaChiusa explores what it means to love unconditionally and culminates in incomprehensible vengeance when that love is betrayeD. Raymond Zilberberg's production of MARIE CHRISTINE will be the first time this piece is staged in the United States since its premiere at Lincoln Center in 1999.

Visit columbiastages.org for more info and to buy tickets.

Columbia Stages is the producing arm of the Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theatre Studies at Columbia University School of the Arts. Columbia Stages presents annually a season of graduate actor and director productions as well as a festival of new plays by emerging playwrights. The 2012-2013 season marks the first in which Columbia Stages productions are presented in Off-Broadway venues downtown, including 3LD, The Connelly Theater, and La MaMa. The Theatre Program at Columbia University School of the Arts offers MFA degrees in: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Stage Management, and Theatre Management & Producing. For more information about the Columbia University School of the Arts Theatre Program visit http://arts.columbia.edu/theatre