Theatre Tulsa Presents The Pitmen Painters

Tony Award winner Lee Hall's The Pitmen Painters, his award-winning play about British miners who became celebrated artists in the 1930s, makes its U.S. premiere with an American cast, directed by Vern Stefanic.

In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favor of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections; but every day they worked, as before, down the mine.

Lee Hall's new play is a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics.

Cast include: Kurt Harris as Lyon, Jarrod Kopp as Oliver, Craig Walters as George, Don Miller as Harry, Nate Gavin as Jimmy, Hunter Cates as Clarence, Sara Wilemon as Susan, Susan Webb as Helen, Michael Bernart as Ben, at the Philbrook Museum of Art beginning on July 7, 2011 at 8:00 p.m., with a black tie event with the cast opening night only.

Director, Vern Stefanic adds, "The story itself, of coal miners who confront and then embrace the world of art, is entertaining, intelligent, very humorous and often a bit provocative. Lee Hall, as he did with ‘Billy Elliott,' gives a fresh and entertaining perspective on the tensions and clashes that can be found in the seeds of creativity - and he's written some wonderfully unforgettable characters to tell his story."

"And getting the chance to present a play about art at one of America's premier art museums is an incredible honor for all of us. We are very proud to be introducing this story not only to Tulsa, but to American audiences."

‘Lee Hall's new play and Max Roberts' sublime production are ablaze with intellectual vigor, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see.' The Times

WHAT: The Pitmen Painters
Classified as a comedy • Contains Adult Content - brief nudity
WHERE: Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S Rockford Rd., Tulsa
WHEN: July 7, 9 & 10 and July 13, 14 & 16, 2011
(No Friday Night Performances Scheduled)
TIME: All shows at 8:00 p.m., except 2:00 p.m. Matinee on July 10
TICKETS: General Admission $18
(Opening Night July 7 - Black Tie Event with cast after show - additional $22)

Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketstulsa.com or www.ticketstorm.com
and at the door; for more information contact Theatre Tulsa, Inc. at
info@theatretulsa.org or call 918-587-8402

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