MELANCHOLY PLAY is directed by Jane Jennings and produced by Carla Childs, Randy Shupp and Dale Mezzacapa. The show runs January 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, 2017.
Sarah Ruhl has been bestowed many awards and honors, most recently the 2016 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. The Steinberg committee said, in part: “Her work sparks conversation in audiences of all ages with its emotionally vivid language…Sarah Ruhl is unique. She fills her intelligent and highly theatrical plays with striking oddities and playful humor. Sarah is a prolific playwright of great distinction.”
Ms. Ruhl’s play, “The Clean House”, was a 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Her play, “The Room Next Door, or, the vibrator play”, was a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist and was nominated for a Tony Award.
MELANCHOLY PLAY centers on Tilly’s – you guessed it – melancholy. Although it is objectionable to her employer, it is oddly attractive to those around her. She finds herself surrounded by quirky friends and lovers who have fallen under its spell. But what happens when she suddenly wakes up wildly happy? Sarah Ruhl’s poetic writing is the counterpoint in this offbeat, poignant comedy about both the beauty and the sadness of life. The live playing of the cello accompanies this play with a powerful soulfulness that will leave you mesmerized as you leave the theater.
The stellar cast includes: Samantha Simpson as Tilly, Matthew Thompson as Frank, Laura Watson as Frances, Maura McInerny as Joan, Josh Keiter as Lorenzo, and Richard Maurer as Julian, the cellist.
Old Academy Players, a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, is a non-profit community theater located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane in East Falls (Philadelphia), the urban village on the Schuylkill River. Constructed in 1819, the Old Academy building has been the OAP home since 1932. Old Academy Players has provided continuous community theater since 1923 and featured the acting debuts of both Grace Kelly and Robert Prosky.
Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $15. Old Academy welcomes groups! If you have 15 or more in your party, you can take advantage of group discount pricing. Parking for all performances is free. For information and reservations, call 215-843-1109 or visit the theatre’s website at www.oldacademyplayers.org.
Theater/Organization http://www.oldacademyplayers.org/
Theater/Organization Website: https://oldacademyplayers.org/
Theater/Organization Address: 3544 Indian Queen Lane Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (215) 843-1109
