MOTHERS AND SONS Makes Regional Debut at Artists Rep Tonight

Artists Repertory Theatre is honored to present MOTHERS AND SONS, an important play by one of American theatre's most acclaimed contemporary playwrights, Terrence McNally. As the fifth production in its 2015/16 season, Artists Rep brings the regional premiere of this play to Portland following its 2014 Tony-nominated Broadway debut.

In this sensitive and wryly humorous play, a mother, after a 20-year silence, pays a surprise visit to her deceased son's former lover seeking a connection she can't fathom. At his Central Park apartment, with his husband and young son by his side, he shows her that healing and hope are possible, even after devastating loss. In this play, vastly different worlds collide, yet truth and compassion rise to reveal that all dreams begin with the common ground of forgiveness.

At the helm of this production is acclaimed Director Jane Unger, founder and former artistic director of Profile Theatre, who produced an entire season of Terrence McNally plays in 2004/05. "It's safe to say that no director in Portland knows Mr. McNally's work better," said Dámaso Rodriguez, Artists Rep Artistic Director.

"One of the outstanding aspects of MOTHERS AND SONS, for me, is the collision of the old and the new mindsets around gay marriage," said Director Jane Unger. "There's been a remarkable, dramatic shift around the entire scope of gay rights that every one of us in this country has experienced. Terrence McNally artfully shines a light on this change with love, respect and great wisdom."

Artists Rep has a long history of producing McNally's work including local premieres of contemporary American classics Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Master Class and Love! Valour! Compassion!

The cast is led by Resident Artists JoAnn Johnson and Michael Mendelson, two of Portland's finest actors who have been working together on our stages for many years. The cast also includes Ryan Tresser, an accomplished actor who had barely been in town a few weeks before he walked into Artists Rep's audition room, as well as young actor Holden Goyette.

Artists Rep Resident Artists Kristeen Willis-Crosser (Lighting Design) and Rodolfo Ortega (Sound Design) are part of the creative team for MOTHERS AND SONS, as well.

IF YOU GO:

MOTHERS AND SONS

By Terrence McNally

Directed by Jane Unger**

CAST:

JoAnn Johnson*^ - Katharine Gerard
Michael Mendelson*^ - Cal Porter
Ryan Tresser* - Will Ogden
Holden Goyette+ - Bud Ogden-Porter

CREATIVE TEAM:

Daniel Meeker** - Scenic Designer
Kristeen Willis Crosser^ - Lighting Designer
Darrin Pufall - Costume Designer
Rodolfo Ortega^ - Composer/Sound Designer
Amy Katrina Bryan - Properties Master

Runs February 9 - March 6, 2016:
- Preview performances: February 9 - 12
- Opening Night: February 13
- Regular run: through March 6

All performances play the Artists Repertory Theatre, Alder Stage, 1516 SW Alder Street, Portland.

Tickets: $48 regular price; $25 preview, student, under 25. Pay-What-You-Can First Preview performance: February 9. Buy Tickets: 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org.

Portland's premiere mid-size regional theatre company is led by Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez and Managing Director Sarah Horton. Founded in 1982, Artists Repertory Theatre is the longest-running professional theatre company in Portland. For the 2015/16 season Artists Rep will offer eight bold and entertaining plays written by internationally acclaimed playwrights and guided by esteemed directors. Artists Rep productions will feature the work of a core group of accomplished Resident Artists, each with a shared history and a shorthand for collaboration, working alongside guest artists from Portland and beyond. Artists Rep is also home to the ArtsHub, a program which offers residencies within Artists Rep's facility to smaller and emerging arts organizations with subsidized administrative, performance and rehearsal space, as well other infrastructural services. The Artists Rep facility serves as a community arts center, where performance venues and other public spaces are continually buzzing with activity.

Artists Rep's mission is to engage diverse audiences in fresh, thought-provoking and intimate theatre. We are committed to world-class acting, directing, design and stagecraft that support new playwriting and aspire to embody great literature, moving audiences to truly feel -- to experience -- storytelling in a way that only the best live theatre can.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
**Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
^ Artists Rep Resident Artist
+Equity Membership Candidate

Pictured: Michael Mendelson. Photo by David Straub.

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