Photo Flash: New Line Theatre Opens Its 19th Season On 10/1 With LOVE KILLS

New Line Theatre, "the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre," opens its nineteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of Kyle Jarrow's searing new rock musical Love Kills, running October 1-24, 2009, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend.
 
In this time of frequent public shootings and escalating violence on American streets, in a time of accelerating medical advances in the study of crime and the human brain – and the discovery of actual physical defects that disable impulse control and empathy – in a time when so much violence is random, how do we make sense of it all?

With a cast of just four actors, this daring new rock musical, based on the story of real life murderers Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, takes us back to Nebraska in 1958, and we stand witness as the world closes in on these two teenage lovers who are charged with committing eleven murders in the course of a week. Under pressure to confess by dawn, facts blur and loyalties shift, and they have to ask themselves: how far will you go for someoNe You love?
 
For more info about the show, visit http://www.newlinetheatre.com/lovekillspage.html.

Today in 2009, we may be re-fighting the great cultural and political battle between the 1950s (conservatism) and the 1960s (liberalism) for the last time, winner take all. But in 1958 that battle was raging for the first time, and Charlie was at the heart of it...
 
From the truTV website: "Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate embarked on a murder spree that horrified the country. This was the country that had elected Eisenhower and Nixon for a second term in 1956 and where the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover was firmly entrenched as the national policeman. This was also a country that was undergoing unsettling cultural changes. Frightening and offensive symbols of rebellion emerged and thrived: Elvis Presley, James Dean and the whole rock and roll culture focused on a new generation that challenged the status quo of the sterile 1950s. The country that uncomfortably watched James Dean’s Rebel Without A Cause in 1956 suddenly saw a Dean-like figure in Charles Starkweather to make them really uncomfortable. What was the world coming to? Were the violence and the alienation of Starkweather just the beginning of some uncontrollable trend that would destroy the fabric of society?"
 
The New York Times calls author and composer Kyle Jarrow "New York's hipster playwright," and Curtain Up wrote, "Jarrow's writing is messy, giddy, and poignant, and at its best, all three at once. Most importantly, Jarrow's work continues to prove that he is not afraid of playing with fire." New Line is very proud to present the world premiere of this brilliant new work.
 
The New Line cast includes Philip Leveling as Charlie Starkweather, Taylor Pietz as Caril Ann Fugate, Zachary Allen Farmer as Sheriff Merle Karnopp, and Alison Helmer as Gertrude Karnopp. The show is directed by Scott Miller, with a set by Frank Bradley, lighting by Kenneth Zinkl, and costumes by Darren Hansen.
 
New Line Theatre is a professional company dedicated to involving the people of the St. Louis region in the exploration and creation of daring, provocative, socially and politically relevant works of musical theatre. New Line receives funding from the Regional Arts Commission, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, and the Missouri Arts Council. For more about New Line, go to www.newlinetheatre.com/contact.html.

Love Kills runs October 1-24, on Thursday through Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. October 1 is a preview. All seating is general admission. For Thursday night performances, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. On Friday and Saturday nights, tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now through all Metrotix outlets, including Macy's stores, the Fox Theatre, and select Schnucks stores, or by calling 314-534-1111. This show contains adult content.
 
New Line now offers all currently employed educators half prIce Tickets on any Thursday night, with work ID or other proof of employment. Not valid in connection with other discounts or offers, available only at the door, and subject to availability.
 
New Line now offers all active duty military personnel half prIce Tickets on any Thursday night, with ID or other proof of active duty status. Not valid in connection with other discounts or offers, available only at the door, and subject to availability.
 
New Line also continues to offer the College Free Seats, ten seats put aside for every performance, free to anyone with a valid college student ID, one ticket per ID. The Free Seats will be available at the theatre box office, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. on performance nights only.
 
For other information, visit New Line Theatre's full-service website at www.newlinetheatre.com. All programs are subject to change.

Photo credit: Jill Ritter

Philip Leveling

Taylor Pietz

Taylor Pietz and Philip Leveling