Philadelphia Theatre Workshop Debuts 'THE MEATPACKERS BOOK CLUB' 5/30

Philadelphia Theatre Workshop is presenting its fifth season of bringing new voices into the regional theatre landscape.  The 2008-2009 season is featuring a world premiere from local playwright, a Philadelphia premiere from a rising new talent, and the second annual Playshops Festival.

PTW kicked off its season with the Philadelphia premiere of Roberto Aguiree-Sacasa's The Mystery Plays. The season closes with the world premiere of Kathy Anderson's The Meatpackers Book Club. Anderson is the Associate Artistic Director of Philadelphia Theatre Workshop and has had plays workshopped through the PTW's Playshops program.

The Meatpackers Book Club by Kathy Anderson, World Premiere May 30-June 14, 2009

Starring: Daniel DeRosier, Jerry Rudasill, Kristen Schier, and Nick Suders

Set Design by Stephen Hungerford
Lighting Design by Christiana Molldrem
Costume Design by Melissa Black
Dramaturgy by Debra-Leigh Scott
Stage Management by Melody Wong

Press notes describe, "Imagine a book club where the members wield bloody hacksaws for a living and discussions about literature break out in fistfights. It's the Meatpackers Book Club. To rise above the raw gore of their daily lives, clever Harry, tough guy Red, one-armed Augustus, and lone female meatpacker Tiny discuss Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, The Life of Pi, and the proper way to hack animal carcasses. Meanwhile, a love triangle is evolving and something very strange and troubling is going on in Sector 8 of the meatpacking plant. With all of this action and with all these worlds are colliding, it's really difficult to get a meaningful literary discussion going."

The plays are presented at Walnut Street Theatre's Studio 5. The Playshops Festival will be at the Shubin Theatre. Subscriptions cost $50 and are available atwww.philadelphiatheatreworkshop.org.

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