<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria">WAM THEATRE'S <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> MELANCHOLY PLAY </i>OPENS TONIGHT</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;
mso-outline-level:1;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:
Cambria">NOVEMBER 12-21, 2010 AT NEW STAGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria">Event to
Benefit The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:120%;mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;line-height:120%;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">WAM Theatre returns with Tony
nominated Sarah Ruhl's 'Bold, Outward, Sassy, Sexy and Unashamed'* contemporary
farce, 'Melancholy Play'. This production will run from November 12-21, 2010 at
the NEW STAGE Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield, MA and will feature Betsy
Holt (Oldcastle’s ‘Leading Ladies’) as Tilly, Todd Quick (Shakespeare Theatre
of New Jersey) as Frank, Per Janson (Trinity Rep) as Lorenzo, Karen Lee (The
Wharton Salon) as Frances, Erika Helen Smith (Classic Stage Company) as Julian
the cellist and Leigh Strimbeck (co-Artistic Director of WAM) as Joan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Director is Kristen van Ginhoven with Scenic
Design by Juliana Haubrich, Costume Design by Yvonne Perry, Lighting Design by
Nick Webb, Sound Design by Joe and Jan Jurchak. Production Stage Manager is
Emily Curro and Assistant Director is Jamuna Yvette Sirker. In line with WAM
Theatre's philanthropic mission, a portion of the proceeds from this event will
be donated to the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts. Tickets are now on
sale by calling 1-800-838-3006 or going to <a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com">www.wamtheatre.com</a>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">*Theatre Communications Group</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">WHERE:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">NEW STAGE PERFORMING ARTS
CENTER, 55 North Street, Pittsfield, MA</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">WHEN:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Friday, November 12, 2010: 8pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Saturday, November 13, 2010: 3pm* & 8 pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Sunday, November 14, 2010: 3pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Friday, November 19, 2010: 8pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Saturday, November 20, 2010: 3pm* & 8pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Sunday, November 21, 2010: 3pm</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">*A
free post-show discussion with the actors and creative team will follow.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">TICKETS:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">$25 general public </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">$12 students</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">To book tickets, go to </span><a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">www.wamtheatre.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> or call
1-800-838-3006</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-outline-level:1;tab-stops:
28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">ABOUT
THE SHOW:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Tilly (bank teller), Frances (hairdresser),
Joan (nurse), Frank (tailor) and Lorenzo (therapist), together with Julian
(cellist), come together in this whimsical celebration of sadness. Tilly, an
irresistibly melancholy young stranger, makes her sorrow so sexy that everyone
in her life falls maddeningly in love with her. Tilly's sudden joyful
transformation results in a mystical and hilarious quest exploring the
happiness of melancholy and the melancholy of happiness.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">This play is suitable for ages 13 and up.</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal"><br></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "></span></i></p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Kristen van Ginhoven, co-artistic director of WAM Theatre remarked, “<span>We are looking forward to people joining us at NEW STAGE Performing Arts Center for our first full production of a play by a female playwright and our first with a local beneficiary, The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. By coming to see WAM’s production of ‘Melancholy Play’, you are helping to create opportunity for women and girls right here in our community!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<span>Marjorie Hutter, Director of Philanthropy for The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts remarked,<span> </span>“</span>I remember when Kristen first called me to talk about the vision for WAM – that offering a theatrical venue for women’s voices and experiences would go hand-in-hand with advancing women’s philanthropy for social change. As the chosen beneficiary of WAM’s fall show, the Women’s Fund couldn’t ask for a better alignment of mission and values. We welcome this terrific opportunity to share with WAM’s audience the impact of our grantmaking in Berkshire County. So when you attend WAM’s fall production, please know that you’ll also be part of changing the world, right here at home!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">“Sarah Ruhl is among the most acclaimed and accomplished young playwrights on the contemporary scene. Ms. Ruhl's signature style blends a vibrant emotionalism with quirky comedy in theatrically adventurous ways.” - New York Times</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">“Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play mixed the absurdity of Pirandello and Fellini and the edgy prettiness of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Off-beat, lyrical and just a little bit nutty, it is a real charmer.” -Chicago Sun-Times</p>
</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;tab-stops:28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal">About WAM Theatre:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WAM Theatre is a theatre company based in the Berkshires of
Massachusetts and the Capital Region of New York State. <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:
15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Inspired by the book ‘Half the Sky: Turning
Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide’ by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl
WuDunn, </span>WAM Theatre was founded in 2009 by professional theatre artists <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Kristen van
Ginhoven and Leigh Strimbeck.</span> WAM’s philanthropic mission is two-fold. First,
producing theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists
and/or stories of women and girls. Second, to donate a portion of the proceeds
from those events to organizations that benefit women and girls.<a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">www.wamtheatre.com</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="color:black">About The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana;color:black">The
vision of the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts is to empower women and
girls to reach their full potential in a world that is just and fair for all.
Their mission is to create economic and social equality for women and girls in
Western Massachusetts through grantmaking and strategic initiatives. The
proceeds donated from this production will be directed to the Fund's
grantmaking initiatives. </span><a href="http://www.womensfund.net"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana">www.womensfund.net</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun;mso-fareast-language:
ZH-CN"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1">More information at <a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com">www.wamtheatre.com</a> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:
Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level:1">Photographs available upon
request to <a href="mailto:kaitlyn@wamtheatre.com">kaitlyn@wamtheatre.com</a> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
Kristen van Ginhoven<br><a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com" target="_blank">www.wamtheatre.com</a><br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/WAMTheatre" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/WAMTheatre</a><br>