Kathleen Turner to Star in 'RED HOT PATRIOT' at Berkeley Rep

This November, Berkeley Repertory Theatre rolls out the red carpet for two-time Tony and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner for her Berkeley Rep debut in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins. The brassy, sharp-witted political journalist and best-selling author of Bushwacked, Ivins was celebrated for her folksy yet barbed humor. She was the rowdy raconteur stirring up trouble in the old boy's club and ridiculing those she deemed too big for their britches - earning her a widely read syndicated column and a seat next to Mark Twain as one of America's beloved satirists. Turner is all smarts and sass as the redheaded firebrand, recounting her political rants and personal reflections with a liberal dose of piss and vinegar. Written by twin sisters Margaret Engel and Allison Engel and directed by Obie Award winner David Esbjornson, this acclaimed production captures the red-headed reporter's indomitable character by weaving personal anecdotes with her colorful take on national politics. Red Hot Patriot begins previews Friday, November 21, opens on Tuesday, November 25, and runs through Sunday, January 4. Press night for Red Hot Patriot will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

"We're thrilled to welcome world-renowned actress Kathleen Turner to Berkeley Rep," says Tony Taccone, Berkeley Rep's Michael Leibert Artistic Director. "Ms. Turner applies her phenomenal talent to create a portrait of the unconquerable Molly Ivins, whose fiery wit and political wisdom served as a tonic for our times. It's going to be a very exciting and winning evening for our audience."

"I truly love playing Molly Ivins. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember," adds Turner. "She had a great sense of politics and what our responsibilities as citizens should be. Her commitment to her country and her knowledge and political savvy were just extraordinary. I know that Berkeley Rep's audience will embrace her as much as I have."

Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, where Turner originated the role. Turner's performances as Molly Ivins have earned laudatory reviews. Los Angeles Weekly raves, "Turner handles the demands of the work beautifully with tremendous stamina, and even a little well placed in-character ad lib banter to realize Ivins with empathic care and a perfected execution." Adds the Huffington Post, "The show is absolutely wonderful, entertaining and illuminating... and fiercely topical to today's helter-skelter events."

Screen icon Kathleen Turner has garnered critical acclaim for her performances in various movies including Body Heat, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe; Romancing the Stone and Prizzi's Honor, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for each; Peggy Sue Got Married, which brought her both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination; and War of the Roses with another Golden Globe nomination. Ms. Turner's extensive film credits also include The Man with Two Brains with Steve Martin, Jewel of the Nile with Michael Douglas, The Accidental Tourist, V.I. Warshawski, John Waters' Serial Mom, Naked in New York, Moonlight and Valentino, The Real Blonde, and Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. Ms. Turner has also starred on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, for which she received a Tony nomination; Indiscretions; The Graduate; and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, for which she received a second Tony nomination. Ms. Turner had a major recurring role as Sue Collini on Showtime's hit series, Californication. In the spring of 2010 Ms. Turner starred as Molly Ivins in the world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins at Philadelphia Theatre Company and immediately following that shot the starring role in an independent film called The Perfect Family. Ms. Turner most recently starred on Broadway in High, and in addition to her film and stage credits, she wrote of her many accomplishments and life experiences in her 2008 autobiography titled Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles, which secured a position on the New York Times Best-Seller List.

Photo by Walter McBride

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