MAURITIUS Plays The Gamm 10/21-11/21

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) is pleased to stage the Rhode Island premiere of Mauritius. Veteran playwright Theresa Rebeck's 2007 Broadway hit weaves acts of betrayal, bad behavior and power shifts into what The New York Times calls "a corkscrew-twist drama of suspense" about a tenuous sibling relationship and the unlikely subject of rare stamps.

Rachel Walshe, visiting artistic director for Providence's Perishable Theatre, directs Gamm Resident Actor Casey Seymour Kim and Amanda Ruggiero as half-sisters who inherit a stamp collection containing possibly invaluable Victorian-era stamps issued from the island of Mauritius (pronounced "More-ishes"). Gamm Resident Actors Steve Kidd and Jim O'Brien, and frequent Gamm actor Richard Donelly form a trio of squabbling stamp collectors with mixed motives and a single goal: to get their hands on the "crown jewel of philately."

Mauritius runs from October 21 through November 21 at The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, RI. Tickets are $30 and $40 (depending on day/time), preview and press performances (Oct. 21-25) only $25. Discounts for subscribers, groups of 10 or more, seniors and students. For tickets call 401-723-4266 or go to gammtheatre.org.
PLAY SYNOPSIS
"He's lying. They aren't out there. They're like a myth. Two post office stamps? Just lying around some old man's stamp collection? Maybe he's got an undiscovered Shakespeare sonnet in there, too. And you're actually checking this story out? C'mere, I have a bridge."

Mom has died, leaving half-sisters Mary and Jackie with a rare stamp collection. Mary wants to keep it for its sentimental value. Jackie wants to sell it for the fortune it might be worth. Enter three foul-talking shady stamp dealers determined to get the sale, and an elaborate con game over the dubious inheritance unfolds. At once a gripping family drama and a delightfully sinister comedy, veteran playwright Rebeck's 2007 Broadway hit twists and turns and takes you for a ride until its final shocking scene.

"I am thrilled to be directing Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius," says Director Rachel Walshe. "I have enormous respect for her - not only as a playwright but for her outspoken views on the status of women in the American theater. She's willing to say what few else are willing to and for that, I think she deserves great praise. And I am equally excited to be directing this show for The Gamm. Working here is a huge honor and I feel really lucky to get the chance to collaborate with such a talented group of artists."

Mauritius is sponsored by Alliance Blackstone Valley Federal Credit Union.

About this Production of Mauritius

By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Rachel Walshe

Set Design & Properties by Katryne Hecht
Costume Design Marilyn Salvatore
Lighting Design by Jen Rock
Fight Choreography by Normand Beauregard
Technical Direction by Dade Veron
Stage Management by Stef Work*

CAST
Jackie, Amanda Ruggiero
Mary , Casey Seymour Kim*
Sterling, Richard Donelly*
Dennis, Steve Kidd*
Philip, Jim O'Brien*

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Dramaturge, Jennifer Madden; Assistant Stage Manager, Emma Haney

CALENDAR OF PERFORMANCES
October
Thursday, Oct. 21, preview performance at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22, preview performance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23, preview performance at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 24, preview performance at 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 25, press performance at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 28, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct.29, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31, matinee performance at 2 p.m.*
Sunday, Oct. 31, regular performance at 7 p.m.
November
Wednesday, Nov. 3, regular performance at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 4, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 5, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 6, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7, matinee performance at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7, regular performance at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, regular performance at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 11, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 12, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 13, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 14, matinee performance at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 17, regular performance at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 18, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 19, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 20, regular performance at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 21, matinee performance at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 21, regular performance at 7 p.m.

*Followed by Shared Sundays discussion with artists & scholars. Show attendance not required. Open to the public at no charge.

About The Gamm Theatre
Founded in 1984 as Alias Stage, the non-profit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre creates the finest of live theater, engaging the audience intensely in current and recurrent issues of consequence. The Gamm further serves the public with educational outreach programming designed to support the theatrical experience, and help sustain and enhance the intellectual and cultural life of its community. The Gamm is a member of New England Area Theatre (NEAT), a bargaining unit of the Actors Equity Association.

 

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