Burning Coal Theatre Company Stages STUFF HAPPENS

Burning Coal Theatre is proud to present David Hare's Stuff Happens, a witty and fast-paced look at the decisions made in the months following the events of September 11th, culminating in the US-led invasion of Iraq. Performance dates are Thursday - Saturday October 11 - 13, 18 - 20, and 25 - 27 at 7:30 PM, and Sundays October 14, 21, and 28 at 2:00 PM at Burning Coal's Murphey School Auditorium, 224 Polk Street in downtown Raleigh. Tickets for Burning Coal's production of Stuff Happens are available now for $25.00, with Senior tickets (65+) available for $20.00, Student, Teacher, and Active Military tickets available for $15.00, and Student Rush tickets at curtain (pending available seats) for $5.00. Those interested can secure their tickets online at burningcoal.org or by calling the box office at 919-834-4001.

ABOUT THE PLAY

In response to the controversial invasion of Iraq, Stuff Happens imagines the behind-the-scenes political maneuverings political divisions and intimate conversations from the most powerful people in the world. Bush, Blair, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell and Wolfowitz all make appearances. This thoughtful comedy-drama details the complex relationship between political leaders, the press, and the public while examining lies and manipulation on a global scale.

"Burning Coal is pleased to offer Stuff Happens as we consider the upheaval caused both in America and the Middle East by the invasion of Iraq. David Hare cuts to the heart of what happens when mistruths are planted in the public's imagination," said director Lillian White. "Stuff Happens is a compelling, kaleidoscopic examination of the underpinnings of stories used to justify political action. Its rich mix of viewpoints and relevant themes make it a unique lens through which to remember recent history as well as consider the present moment."

Stuff Happens first premiered at the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre in London in 2004. It premiered off-Broadway in 2006 at New York City's Public Theatre to much success, earning several awards including the Drama Desk Award and OBIE Award for Best Play.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

David Hare is a renowned playwright, screenwriter, and director. The three-time Tony nominee wrote notable plays such as Plenty, Skylight, Racing Demon, and Amy's View, all of which played on London's West End before transferring to Broadway. He has also received two Academy Award nominations for Best Screenplay for his adaptations of The Hours and The Reader. Other notable plays include The Judas Kiss, The Absence of Ware, The Blue Room, Beyond the Beautiful Forevers and Licking Hitler. Hare has also directed for theatre as well as film and TV, including the Broadway play The Year of Magical Thinking, and the BBC's Salting the Battlefield. Burning Coal has produced his A Map of the World (2006) and Skylight (2016).

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Lillian Wooten White is a Brooklyn-Based director. Recent directing works include A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Juneberry Collective), The Birds (Juncture), and Peter Pan & Wendy (Burning Coal Theatre Company). Lillian was awarded SDCF observerships with director-choreographers Steven Hoggett and Andy Blankenbuehler and served as assistant director on Julius Caesar at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Dir. Shane Cooper).

ABOUT THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Hillsborough-based actor Michael Babbitt will play the principal role of George W. Bush, with Byron Jennings playing opposite as Secretary of State Colin Powell. The cast also includes Matthew Baldiga as Tony Blair, Brook North as Donald Rumsfeld, Michelle Wells as Laura Bush, Tommy Goldsmith as Paul Wolfowitz, Rob Jenkins and Dick Cheney, and Tyanna West as Condoleezza Rice.

This production will feature lighting and set design by E.D. Intemann, with sound and video design by Kirk Pearson, props design by Danielle James, costume design by Ketti Shum, and scene painting by Meredith Riggan, supported by Technical Director Greg Osbeck and Production Stage Manager Andy Hayworth.

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