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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

The Sixth Act Announces The Love of the Nightingale--Opens This Weekend


In support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The Sixth Act is pleased to announce its upcoming production of Timberlake Wertenbaker's elegant, difficult play The Love of the Nightingale. Productions are Friday and Saturday, April 20, 21, 27, and 28, at 8 p.m., in the Black Box Theater (Building 4). Tickets are free and the play is open to the public, but SEATING IS LIMITED, so tickets must be secured through the Campus Center either in person or by calling 292-2060. Any remaining tickets will be available immediately before performances at the door.

There will be a talk-back with actors, the play's director, and the coordinator of Rochester's Speak Out! after the April 20 performance. Also, please note that we are opening our Thursday, April 19 dress rehearsal to students who can't make the regular performances. Seats can be reserved by contacting Professor Ann Tippett at <<mailto:atippett@monroecc.edu>>.

The Love of the Nightingale retells the Philomele myth in classical Greek style with contemporary infusions. As in Ovid's version, Tereus marries Procne and then rapes Philomele, Procne's younger sister, with devastating consequences. After the play's original production, one London critic wrote that The Love of the Nightingale "demonstrates the violence that stems from enforced silence." Another described the play's "classical austerity and great verbal elegance...that rare thing, a compelling piece of theatre which may indeed rivet you to your seat."

The play is directed by MCC instructor Heather Fox. It features MCC students Jesse Anderson, Bethany Barone, Andrea Brown, Courtney Pampalone, Ryan Rogers, Dawn Shafer, and Christina Wheeler; and MCC faculty Gail Bouk, Maria Brandt, Matt Fox, Jeffery Jones, Midge Marshall, and Ann Tippett. MCC student Tom Way designed the play's poster; and MCC faculty Pam Emigh-Murphy, Heather Fox, Jeffery Jones, and Holly Wheeler are participating in the play's design and behind-the-scenes maintenance. 
 
The play is produced with the support of the Creative Arts Committee. 
 
This should be an extraordinary experience for all involved, including audience members. It will be difficult to leave this play unchanged.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Maria Brandt at "mailto:mbrandt@monroecc.edu" or 292-3394.

Maria Brandt
ENG/PHL
04/17/2007