Alexander, Cuccioli & Saxe Head A MOON TO DANCE BY at REP Thru 2/22

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, presents Thom Thomas's A Moon to Dance By at the Pittsburgh Playhouse now through Sunday, Feb. 22nd. Award-winning Broadway director Edwin Sherin directs the stellar cast which includes Academy and Tony Award -winning actress Jane Alexander, Tony-nominated actor Robert Cuccioli and Gareth Saxe from the Broadway revival of The Homecoming.

In 1912, D.H. Lawrence met Frieda, the German-born wife of his English Literature professor. A short time later, Frieda ran off with Lawrence, leaving her husband, two young daughters and her twelve year old son Monty behind in Nottingham, England. After Lawrence's death in 1930, Frieda went back to the Taos, New Mexico ranch where "Lorenzo" (Frieda's affectionate name for Lawrence) and she had lived together in happier times. Angelo, her Italian lover fifteen years her junior, accompanied her.

A Moon to Dance By is set in July 1939 when Frieda's son Monty, now 39 years old, inexplicably made a short four-day visit with his mother in Taos after harboring years of bitterness toward her. That meeting between Frieda, Monty and Angelo took place eight weeks before the world exploded into a World War. At the Taos ranch were representatives from three of the countries who would be embroiled in conflict: Germany, England and Italy...all meeting together on American soil to embark on a journey of their own. As they engage in a ceremonial dance of nostalgia and longing, forgiveness may prove out of step. Or can their native spirits bring forth an outpouring of love?

Pittsburgh's own Thom Thomas comes home to present this beautiful story of love, longing and unanswered questions. Thomas is a former Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse and was the director of Civic Light Opera's premiere season at Heinz Hall in 1972. He has worked as both a director and writer for stage and screen.

Sets are by Stephanie Mayer-Staley; costumes by Hope Hanafin; lights by Andrew David Ostrowski; and sound by Steve Shapiro.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $24 to $27 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.