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Summarized by Womens Project & Productions Press Release
Mormon Play 'Two-Headed' To Open Off Broadway In New York
(Womens Project & Productions 1999-2000 Season continues with "Two-Headed"
by Julie Jensen, Directed by Joan Vail Thorne)
Womens Project & Productions Press Release 17Apr00 A4
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Women's Project &Productions (WPP), the
workplace for women in American theatre (Julia Miles, Artistic
Director), closes its 1999-2000 season with the New York City premiere
of TWO-HEADED by Utah playwright JULIE JENSEN, directed by JOAN VAIL
THORNE (The Exact Center of the Universe), starring LIZBETH MACKAY and
DEIRDRE O'CONNELL. Performances begin Wednesday, May 3rd at 8 pm,
Opening Thursday, May 11th at 8 pm at Women's Project Theatre (424
West 55th Street).
Childhood friends. Grown-up secrets. With highjinks and humor, in
horror and outrage, two Mormon girls forge a friendship that endures
four decades on the Utah frontier, despite the secret of a bloody
massacre and the strain of plural marriage. Ten-year-old Lavinia
taunts her friend Hettie with secret spoils from a hushed-up massacre,
not realizing how the savage events of that day will change them for
life. A bitingly comic, fiercely stirring "play of history" for two
award-winning actresses.
Playwright JULIE JENSEN began her relationship with WPP in 1983, with
OLD WIVES TALE, part of an evening of one-acts called Special Family
Things. Julie's work has since been produced at Arena Stage, Capital
Rep, TheatreWorks, and the Salt Lake Acting Company; and she currently
directs the Graduate Playwriting Program at the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas. JOAN VAIL THORNE's work with WPP includes the critically-
acclaimed The Exact Center of the Universe (which went on to a
successful Off-B'way run), as well as directing Paducah and Milk of
Paradise by Sallie Bingham; Departures, an evening of one-acts and
numerous readings. Joan has directed for the Alley, American Place,
Arena Stage, Dallas Theater Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre and
Juilliard. She currently teaches directing at the Playwrights Horizons
Studio of New York University. The designers are DAVID P. GORDON
(sets), CARRIE ROBBINS (costumes), MICHAEL LINCOLN (lights) and
SCOTT KILLIAN (composer/sound).
LIZBETH MACKAY appeared on Broadway in The Price, The Heiress, Abe
Lincoln in Illinois, Death and the Maiden, Crimes of the Heart (Theater
World, Outer Critics Circle, Dramalogue Awards); and Off-B'way in Lips;
Durang, Durang; The Seagull: 1990's, The Old Boy, Square One, Tales of
the Lost Formicans and The Normal Heart. Her films include One True
Thing, Marvin's Room, In and Out, and Malcolm X. DEIRDRE O'CONNELL was
seen in In The Blood, Mud and Drowning, Moe's Lucky 7, Three Birds
Alighting on a Field, Approximating Mother, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore,
Love and Anger (Drama Desk nomination) and Stars in the Morning Sky
(Dramalogue, LA Critics Awards). Films include City of Angels, Smoke,
Fearless, Leaving Normal, Pastime (Independent Spirit nom.), Tin Men
and Anna.
Performance Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm; Saturday and
Sunday at 3 pm. Post-performance discussions May 9th (with playwright
and director), May 13th matinee (panel discussion with local scholars)
and May 16th (with Dr. Carol Gilligan - Harvard University). Tickets
are $35. For reservations, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes with no intermission. Women's Project
Theatre is located at 424 West 55th Street. Box Office opens at 1 pm;
closed Mondays.
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