City Theatre Presents World Premiere Of THE BURDENS

City Theatre is thrilled to announce the details of the fifth show of the season: the world premiere of The Burdens by Matt Schatz. The Burdens is a dark comedy for the digital age. It is directed by City Theatre's returning Artistic Director, Marc Masterson, and will run on the City Theatre Lester Hamburg Stage, April 6 - May 12, 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

This world premiere was developed in residency at the 2016 Eugene O'Neill National Playwriting Conference and has had readings at Seattle Rep, Midtown Direct Rep, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Florida Rep and City's own Momentum Festival.

"The Burdens having its first production at City Theatre, in particular, means so much to me," said playwright Matt Schatz. "City Theatre was the first place I ever really saw new plays and world premieres and they were always first-rate. As an MFA student, I interned in City's lit department in 2003 and assisted a playwright in the first-ever Momentum Festival of that year. To have a play be part of that festival last season and to be fully produced this season, really is a dream come true. In the past couple of years, Pittsburgh has embraced me and my work in ways that no other city has. I couldn't be more grateful, and I couldn't be more excited! I wasn't born or raised in Pittsburgh, but whenever I visit, it always feels like a homecoming."

Artistic Director Marc Masterson has also had a homecoming this year. The Burdens is the first show Marc is directing since returning as the Artistic Director of City Theatre after 18 years. "The Burdens is smart and funny and just dark enough that it doesn't kill the smart and funny," Marc commented. "I love the writing, the theatrical imagination, and what Matt has to say about family ties and the challenge of communicating in the modern world."

In an effort to better serve our community and to eliminate economic barriers to entry, City is continuing Pick-Your-Price-Previews: tickets start at just $5 (plus fees) to all performances April 6 through April 11. See details at CityTheatreCompany.org. This offer may not be combined with discounts.

Siblings Mordy and Jane communicate like proper millennials: primarily through text message and loaded with sarcasm. Their lives flailing on opposite coasts, they hatch an outrageous plan to relieve their mother of the burden of Zad-Zad, their centenarian - and particularly prickly - grandfather. A dark comedy for the digital age about pop culture, connection, and the value of actual face time.

The Burdens is directed by Marc Masterson. The cast includes Catherine LeFrere and Ben Rosenblatt. The production team includes Britton Mauk (scenic design), Andrew David Ostrowski (lighting design), Madison Hack (costume design), David Remedios (sound design), Clare Drobot (dramaturg), and Taylor Meszaros is Production Stage Manager.

CMU Alum Matt Schatz writers for the stage and screen, including projects developed for Fox Television Studios, USA, and TBS. Works include: An Untitled New Play by Justin Timberlake (CLO Spark Festival 2018) and Kleban Prize winner Love Trapezoid.

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