Photo Flash: First Look at Artists Rep's MOTHERS AND SONS

Artists Repertory Theatre presents 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.

Photos by Owen Carey

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