See a New Twist On Classic Literature with Point Park's Conservatory

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents You on the Moors Now, a new play about classic literary women rejecting the role assigned to them by society through marriage and making their own future. With a hilarious and reflective script, this story speaks to the characters back then as well as audiences today. This bold show highlights social norms from the past as well as the fresh ideas that we've come to in the present.

Directed by Sheila McKenna, You on the Moors Now runs from November 10 - 19 and November 30 - December 3, 2017, in the Studio Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Adult tickets are $20-24, students and seniors are $10, and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visiting www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Imagine Catherine telling Heathcliff exactly where to shove it. Or Elizabeth Bennett giving Mr. Darcy a piece of her mind. Classically beloved characters from authors Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and the Brontë sisters are re-imagined as contemporary feminists who reject the men in their lives in order to discover their true identity and forge their own future. The women flee from their suitors' marriage proposals and the men plan a battle of the sexes in order to bring them back. Written by award-winner Jaclyn Backhaus, You on the Moors Now is a hilarious spin on your college literature class with a side of empowering womanhood.

"It has been thrilling working with this company of young artists as they explore the gender and social issues in both the play and the source material that inspired our playwright," said director, McKenna. "They are fearless and are crafting designs and performances that utilize all of the training they receive here in the Conservatory."

This production features scenic design by Tucker Topel, costume design by Terra Skirtich, lighting design by Heather Edney, and sound design by Howard Patterson III, all students in the theatre Production program of the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Sheila's directing work includes Conservatory Theatre Company: Top Girls, Warrior, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (cited among Best Ensembles, 2004, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) and Cloud 9; Madagascar and El Paso Blue, Quantum Theatre; The Room (Pinter Festival), Wilde Tales (world premiere), Synge Festival: Riders to the Sea, Shadow of the Glen (listed in Top Ten Best Plays, 2008, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), BeckettFest: Come and Go, What Where, and the staged reading of Happy Days, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre; readings of The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence (2014) and Dry Bones (2016) Momentum Festival, and four productions for the Young Playwright's Festival, City Theatre. Her directing also includes regular collaborations with playwright Tammy Ryan. For The REP, their work includes Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods, the world premieres of F.B.I. Girl and Baby's Blues, and Pig. Other Rep shows: The Queens, and Anton in Show Business (named one of the Best Plays 2003 by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Sheila has directed seven productions for Playhouse Jr., including the world premiere of Ryan's The Gift of the Pirate Queen, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, and Pinocchio. Sheila teaches a variety of theatre courses, including directing, in Point Park University's theatre department, where she also heads the Performance and Practices program, a degree focusing on contemporary theatre-making practices.

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