[Capdist-announce] Press release: WAM Theatre Announces Northeast Regional Premiere of “Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight”, Nov. 7 through 24

[Kimberly Rawson]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Press images available at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/sets/72157635251271398/

Contacts:

Kimberly Rawson, Publicist, (413) 445-4467; karawson at gmail.com

Kelly Galvin, Assistant to the Artistic Director, (518) 243-9627;
kelly at wamtheatre.com

*WAM Theatre Announces Northeast Regional Premiere of*

*“Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight”*

*The production will run from Nov. 7 through 24 at the St. Germain Stage*

*in the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center*

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 9, 2013) — WAM Theatre announces its Northeast
regional premiere of “Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life
Tonight”, written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Kristen van Ginhoven.
The production, which will run from Nov. 7 through 24 with preview
performances on Nov. 7 and 8, will be held at the St. Germain Stage in the
Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Tickets are $15 for previews; all other performances are $10 to $30. For
tickets and more information, see www.WAMTheatre.com or call (800) 838-3006.

“Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” had its world
premiere in 2009 at South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, Calif. The
play has been described as “fiercely inquisitive and joyfully sexy” (The
San Francisco Chronicle) and an “ambitious, highly theatrical romp that
literally crackles with electricity” (LA/OC Examiner).

Emilie Du Châtelet (1706-1749), best known for her 15-year-liaison with
Voltaire, a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher, was far
more than a great man’s mistress. She became a highly regarded interpreter
of modern physics and a master of mathematics and linguistics during the
Age of Enlightenment. In the play, Emilie searches for a formula that will
convince the world of her worth by tallying her achievements in love and
philosophy.

“Presenting this play continues WAM Theatre’s mission to highlight the
stories of women and girls. Emilie Du Châtelet was a fascinating woman who
lived life fully and transformed her existence beyond societal
expectations. We are very excited to share her story,” said Artistic
Director Kristen van Ginhoven.

Kim Stauffer, whose credits include “Mary Stuart” and “Macbeth” at New York
Classical Theatre, “Crime and Punishment” at Chester Theatre, and “A
Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Crucible” at Barrington Stage Company,
will play the role of Emilie. Voltaire will be portrayed by Oliver
Wadsworth, whose credits include the National Tour of “Chitty, Chitty Bang,
Bang”, “The Well” at The Public Theatre and “Fully Committed” (Metroland
Best Performance) at Capital Repertory Theatre. Additional cast members
include Suzanne Ankrum (Tennessee Shakespeare Company), Brendan Cataldo
(Adirondack Theater Festival), and Joan Coombs (Shakespeare & Company).

Established in 2009, WAM Theatre is a comparative newcomer to the area’s
performing arts scene. Under the artistic direction of van Ginhoven, the
company has rapidly become a strong community presence through its mission
to create theatre for everyone that benefits women and girls. “In a
relatively short time, WAM has sent shockwaves throughout the Berkshire
theatre community,” notes Berkshire Fine Arts in a recent review. WAM
Theatre has been hailed for its “superb casts, equal of any we see at the
four major theaters in the summer” (Berkshire On Stage) and its dual
mission: “Two birds, one stone; theatre for cause, cause for theatre” (Did
You Weekend?).

In keeping with WAM Theatre’s unique double philanthropic mission, a
portion of the proceeds from each production is donated to an organization
that benefits women and girls. Proceeds from “Emilie: La Marquise Du
Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” will benefit Rites of Passage and
Empowerment Program for Girls (ROPE), founded by Pittsfield community
leader Shirley Edgerton. ROPE is a program for young women in Berkshire
County, with a particular focus on young women of color, that teaches the
skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s world. WAM Theatre’s
donation will go towards a college tour for ROPE participants at the
culmination of their program.

Corporate and foundation support for “Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet
Defends Her Life Tonight” is provided in part by Adams Community Bank;
Berkshire Bank; Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook, Attorneys; Greylock Federal
Credit Union; Interprint; Mass Humanities, Nicholas L. Parsenios, Attorney
at Law; Pittsfield Cooperative Bank; and Toole Insurance Agency. Media
Sponsors include Berkshire Magazine and The Rogovoy Report.

*About WAM Theatre*

WAM (Women’s Action Movement) Theatre is based in the Berkshires of
Massachusetts and the Capital Region of New York State. Inspired by the
book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women
Worldwide” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM Theatre was founded
in 2009 by professional theatre artists Kristen van Ginhoven and Leigh
Strimbeck.

WAM Theatre’s philanthropic mission is two-fold: first, to create
theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists
and/or stories of women and girls; and second, to donate a portion of the
proceeds from those events to organizations that benefit women and girls.
Since 2009, WAM Theatre has donated more than $7,000 to its beneficiaries.
For more information, see www.WAMTheatre.com.

*# # #*

*Calendar Listings:*

*WAM Theatre Presents: “Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life
Tonight”*

Nov. 7 through 24 at the St. Germain Stage in the Sydelle and Lee Blatt
Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield, Mass. Tickets: $15
previews; all other performance: $10 to $30. Reservations: (800) 838-3006
and www.WAMTheatre.com

*Performance dates and times:*

Thursday, Nov. 7: 7:30 p.m. (preview)

Friday, Nov. 8: 7:30 p.m. (preview)

Saturday, Nov. 9: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10: 2 p.m.



Friday, Nov. 15: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 17: 2 p.m.



Friday, Nov. 22: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 23: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 24: 2 p.m.

* *
-- 
Kimberly Rawson Communications
413.445.4467
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