FSU/Asolo Conservatory's Dog Days Theatre Continues With THE TURN OF THE SCREW

Dog Days Theatre continues its second season with a thrilling new stage adaptation of Henry James' gripping ghost story THE TURN OF THE SCREW, directed by Chris Clavelli and adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher. The production previews August 7 and 8, opens August 9 and runs through August 26 in the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for Performing Arts in Sarasota.

In 1872, a young woman travels to an estate in Essex to take on the role of governess for two orphaned children. Upon her arrival, however, the governess learns of the mysterious circumstances surrounding her predecessor's disappearance, and a haunting connection to the two children, Miles and Flora. Over seven short days, a combination of unexplained phenomena, natural occurrences, strange behavior, and biblical allegory will bring the governess' story to its shocking conclusion.

Director Chris Clavelli is the Associate Artistic Director of Florida Repertory Theatre. The Wall Street Journal celebrated his production of The House of Blue Leaves in its Best of 2017 Theatre roundup.

"THE TURN OF THE SCREW first appeared in serial format in Colliers Weekly magazine," said Clavelli. "If Henry James released it today on Netflix, we'd all surely binge watch on our smart phones. Jeffrey Hatcher has crafted a play which capitalizes on the magic of the theatre - and as any child playing their backyard knows, real terror lives best in real time."

THE TURN OF THE SCREW will feature performances by FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate Brian Owen, who plays multiple characters, and current Conservatory student DeAnna Wright.

Since graduating from the Conservatory, Brian Owen's credits include Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Mr. Collins in a new musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare in Love, Camelot (with Robert Sean Leonard), Sweeney Todd, and Peter and the Starcatcher. A third-year student, DeAnna Wright appeared in this past Conservatory season as the Chorus Leader/Priestess in Oedipus, Victoria in Motherf***er with the Hat, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing at Selby Gardens.

Dog Days Theatre is a special initiative of FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, where current students in the program are able to work alongside Conservatory graduates and professional actors from around the country. Plays are presented in the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for Performing Arts: an intimate 161-seat theater which showcases strong production design and the craft of the actor.

Tickets for THE TURN OF THE SCREW are $30. Discounted preview performances are scheduled for August 7 and 8. Tickets for opening night on August 9 are $40 and include a post-show reception. To purchase tickets, call (941) 351-8000 or 1-800-361-8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The box office closes at 5 p.m. when there are no evening performances, and phone reservations close one hour before all performances.

THE TURN OF THE SCREW is made possible with support from The Observer, Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Services, The Exchange, and WUSF Public Media, and is presented by FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

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