April 12–May 20, 2007
The Missionary Position
Buy tickets online, call 412.431.CITY (2489), or visit the Box Office at 1300 Bingham Street.
Tracy Brigden directs the world premiere of The Missionary Position, commissioned by City Theatre from acclaimed playwright Keith Reddin. The Missionary Position runs April 12–May 20, 2007 in City Theatre’s 110-seat Lester Hamburg Studio. This new satiric comedy features Tony Bingham, Jeffrey Carpenter, Tami Dixon, and Rebecca Harris. The design team is Gianni Downs (Scenic), C.T. Steele (Costumes), Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting), and Elizabeth Atkinson (Sound). The Dramaturg is Carlyn Aquiline. The Production Stage Manager is Alicia DeMara.
The Missionary Position is set in a variety of hotel rooms across America during a presidential election campaign. Roger (Tony Bingham), a Christian activist expected to deliver the religious right, fervently believes in one nation under God. His crusade affects all his relationships, even with the hotel maids he encounters from Houston to Detroit (Rebecca Harris). Also working for the campaign is Neil (Jeffrey Carpenter), a fundraiser in pursuit of a win at any cost. When personal tensions flare between these two colleagues, the situation is comically complicated by the actions of Julie (Tami Dixon), a minor party member with a major sense of entitlement. In The Missionary Position, Keith Reddin rips into current affairs with biting humor and exposes the hypocrisy inherent in today’s politics.
Artistic Director Tracy Brigden commissioned Keith Reddin last year to fill the final slot in City Theatre’s New American Trio, an innovative series of three brand-new plays plus a constellation of activities being produced at City Theatre early in 2007. Reddin’s directive was to write a play looking at politics from his darkly comic world view, and to open the process to City Theatre’s audience. Public readings and discussions of The Missionary Position, attended by Reddin, took place at City Theatre in September of 2006 and January of 2007.
The New American Trio will conclude with two more public events in April: An open rehearsal of The Missionary Position on Sunday, April 1 (time TBA) followed by a discussion with Carlyn Aquiline on new play dramaturgy and on Sunday, April 29 (about 4 pm) the Trio wraps up with a discussion among national experts on new American playwriting.
Sponsored by Eden Hall Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Pittsburgh City Paper, the events surrounding the New American Trio are designed to give City Theatre’s audience a unique behind-the-scenes look into the new play process.
About the Playwright
Keith Reddin is a playwright and actor. His plays include Brutality of Fact,
Life and Limb, Rum and Coke, Highest Standard of Living,
Big Time, Nebraska, All the Rage, Almost Blue,
Life During Wartime, The Innocents’ Crusade, Synergy,
Can’t Let Go, But Not for Me, Human Error, and Frame 312.
As an actor he has appeared on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theatres. His film
acting credits include Lolita, The Doors, Reversal of Fortune,
Crossing Delancey, Big, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie
Newmar, and Lorenzo’s Oil.
Preview Week Performance Schedule
Thurs. & Fri. April 12 & 13 at 8 pm
Sat. April 14 at 5:30 pm
Sun. April 15 & Tues. April 17 at 7 pm
Press/Opening Night is Wed., April 18 at 8 pm.
Regular Run Schedule
Tuesdays at 7 pm
Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5:30 & 9 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
In addition, there will be a 1 pm matinee on Wed., May 2, 2007.
(The Missionary Position runs 1 hour and 20 minutes with no intermission.)
Tickets
$15 to $45
Students and age 25 and younger can reserve $15 tickets in advance.
Senior rush (age 60 and older) begins at the Box Office two hours before showtime.
Buy tickets online, call 412.431.CITY (2489), or visit the Box Office at 1300 Bingham Street.