Martin's CRIMINAL HEARTS At Independence Studio Opens 4/2

The Walnut Street Theatre's 2008-2009 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with Criminal Hearts, Jane Martin's starkly funny tale of a unique friendship forged by two very different women from two very different worlds. Directed by Barrymore Award-winner Madi Distefano, Criminal Hearts starts on March 31, opens on April 2 and closes April 19.

Criminal Hearts takes place in a swank Chicago apartment...or what's left of it. Ata Windust (Jennie Eisenhower) spends her days with nothing but a mattress, pizza boxes and Dr. Pepper. Her marriage is over and now avoiding the outside world and sharpening pencils are the only activities that fill her time. Things change; however, when con-woman Bo (Kaci M. Fannin) and her partner Robbie (Damon Bonetti) comes through the window looking to rob Ata's high-class digs. The only problem is that Ata's ex-husband (Lenny Haas) has already cleaned the place out. Forming an unlikely friendship based on revenge and half-truths, Ata and Bo end up finding things they didn't even know they were looking for.
First produced in 1992 by the Theatre Company of Detroit, Criminal Hearts is written by a woman who might not even exist. Jane Martin may (or may not) be the pen name of retired Actors Theatre of Louisville artistic director Jon Jory. Martin has denied all interviews, events and ceremonies. Jory (Martin's spokesperson) denies being Jane Martin, but has directed numerous premieres of Martin's shows, including Vital Signs and Talking With... Martin's Keely and Du won the 1994 American Theater Critics Association New Play Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Criminal Hearts boasts a very talented ensemble. Best Supporting Actress Barrymore Award-winner Jennie Eisenhower (Ata) has been seen all over the Philadelphia area, performing at the Arden, Wilma, BRT and People's Light among others. Jennie was recently seen in Mauckingbird Theatre Co.'s groundbreaking new production of Hedda Gabler. Joining her is Kaci M. Fannin as Bo. Kaci makes her Walnut Street Theatre debut, having appeared in numerous regional productions in New York and Lancaster, PA's Fulton Opera House. Lenny Haas (playing Wib, Ata's ex-husband) also makes his Walnut debut. Lenny, a Barrymore Award-winner (Best Supporting Actor - PLTC's The Fantasticks), has performed in over 30 People's Light productions as a member of the resident acting company. Rounding out the cast is Damon Bonetti (Robbie), who was recently seen in Luna Theatre Co's Orange Flower Water.

At the helm of Criminal Hearts is Director Madi Distefano. Madi is very well known to the Philly theatre community, and recently directed A Tuna Christmas this past holiday season in Studio 3. Madi has been nominated numerous times for the Barrymore Awards, winning the Best Leading Actress in Play award in 2005. She wears many hats around Philadelphia, including (but not limited to) playwright, actor, director and educator. Joining Madi is a design team consisting of Meghan Jones (Set Design), Kathryn Rauch (Costume Design), Shon Causer (Lighting Design) and Matthew Lorenz (Sound Design).

Season sponsors for the 2008-2009 Independence Studio on 3 Season are The Independence Foundation and Macy's East. Media season sponsors are digphilly.com, Philadelphia Weekly and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $30 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-982-2787. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

 

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