The Distance from Here
So you should all go see my beloved plantastic in her upcoming production of The Distance from Here, by Neil LaBute.
My wife is a professional actor. For her, that means she has gone to graduate school, earned her M.F.A. in acting from one of the top conservatories in the nation, and as much as possible, now acts in theatre, commercials or industrial film for a living, while being a half-time assistant professor running a curricular theatre program (which she more or less founded) at Crazy College. It is a minor miracle, as well a testament to her drive and talent, that she has reached the point that she does not need a "day job" that is not theatre-related. Most actors, even most of the really really talented ones, aren't half so lucky.
She's been doing a lot of Shakespeare recently, which is great, but she's really excited at the opportunity to be in The Distance from Here, as it is contemporary, and more about the modern condition of American culture than anything else she's done recently (think Sam Shepherd, but even more dysfunctional and disturbing). It's a co-production between Wooly Mammoth (a professional company and D.C.), and the University of Maryland, which gives university actors a chance to model working professionals -- it's in this gorgeous new state-of-the-art theatre in College Park, and it opens tomorrow (and runs to March 3). Plus, if you're a student, tickets are only $7!
Let me know if you want to go -- I'm going Thursday (opening), and will likely see it a couple more times.
Here's what plantastic sent out about it:
You have been awesome friends--new and old--who've asked me about my latest theatre project. From February 15-March 3, I play Cammie in Neil LaBute'sThe Distance from Here. This is a co-production between Woolly Mammoth (an edgy, contemporary theatre company in DC) and the University of Maryland Woolly hires professionals (there are three Equity actors in the cast--including me) to work alongside students. The director is Woolly company member Mitchell Hebert. He's brilliant.
The show is performed at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on UMd's campus in College Park. If you haven't been there, it's like a temple to the performing arts. It's beautiful.
The Distance from Here is rated NC-17. (LaBute is the author/director of such films as In the Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors.) The show is a contemporary drama, and it features graphic sexual content, lots of profanity, disturbing acts of violence. . . I could go on and on. That said, I love the play. It's a powerful, unflinching look at the lives of people we'd just rather ignore, and the director has pushed us all to portray these folks honestly--that means sympathetically and with humor when appropriate. Plus, I have an airbrushed tattoo on the small of my back.
The show runs under 100 minutes (with no intermission,) and tickets are $20 general admission and just $7 for full-time students! You can get tickets online.
Details here: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/c/media/article?rowid=AAAKpNABAAAAAHMAAA
Tickets here: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/c/performances/performance?rowid=3467
If you're planning to come (and you're coming from Baltimore,) let me know, because it's possible we could drive down together (if you're willing to go a little early.) From my house in Hampden to the theatre in College Park is just about 45 minutes exactly (with no traffic.) I can give you travel tips, directions and shortcuts if you'd like!
My wife is a professional actor. For her, that means she has gone to graduate school, earned her M.F.A. in acting from one of the top conservatories in the nation, and as much as possible, now acts in theatre, commercials or industrial film for a living, while being a half-time assistant professor running a curricular theatre program (which she more or less founded) at Crazy College. It is a minor miracle, as well a testament to her drive and talent, that she has reached the point that she does not need a "day job" that is not theatre-related. Most actors, even most of the really really talented ones, aren't half so lucky.
She's been doing a lot of Shakespeare recently, which is great, but she's really excited at the opportunity to be in The Distance from Here, as it is contemporary, and more about the modern condition of American culture than anything else she's done recently (think Sam Shepherd, but even more dysfunctional and disturbing). It's a co-production between Wooly Mammoth (a professional company and D.C.), and the University of Maryland, which gives university actors a chance to model working professionals -- it's in this gorgeous new state-of-the-art theatre in College Park, and it opens tomorrow (and runs to March 3). Plus, if you're a student, tickets are only $7!
Let me know if you want to go -- I'm going Thursday (opening), and will likely see it a couple more times.
Here's what plantastic sent out about it:
You have been awesome friends--new and old--who've asked me about my latest theatre project. From February 15-March 3, I play Cammie in Neil LaBute'sThe Distance from Here. This is a co-production between Woolly Mammoth (an edgy, contemporary theatre company in DC) and the University of Maryland Woolly hires professionals (there are three Equity actors in the cast--including me) to work alongside students. The director is Woolly company member Mitchell Hebert. He's brilliant.
The show is performed at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on UMd's campus in College Park. If you haven't been there, it's like a temple to the performing arts. It's beautiful.
The Distance from Here is rated NC-17. (LaBute is the author/director of such films as In the Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors.) The show is a contemporary drama, and it features graphic sexual content, lots of profanity, disturbing acts of violence. . . I could go on and on. That said, I love the play. It's a powerful, unflinching look at the lives of people we'd just rather ignore, and the director has pushed us all to portray these folks honestly--that means sympathetically and with humor when appropriate. Plus, I have an airbrushed tattoo on the small of my back.
The show runs under 100 minutes (with no intermission,) and tickets are $20 general admission and just $7 for full-time students! You can get tickets online.
Details here: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/c/media/article?rowid=AAAKpNABAAAAAHMAAA
Tickets here: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/c/performances/performance?rowid=3467
If you're planning to come (and you're coming from Baltimore,) let me know, because it's possible we could drive down together (if you're willing to go a little early.) From my house in Hampden to the theatre in College Park is just about 45 minutes exactly (with no traffic.) I can give you travel tips, directions and shortcuts if you'd like!