For Immediate Release

Contact: Audra Tanguay, atanguay@hartfordstage.org
860.520.7247, cell 203.910.8419

Hartford Stage Announces Cast for Brand:NEW Fall Festival of New Works

Hartford, CT, October 19, 2012 - Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, announced today the cast for the readings at the Brand:NEW FallFestival of New Works, scheduled October 25 - 28. The Festival will include readings of five new plays by Octavio Solis, Bess Wohl, Dan O'Brien, Matthew Lopez andJanine Nabers, as well as a playwrights' panel on October 28 at 4:30 p.m.

Se Llama Cristina, by Octavio Solis and directed by Loretta Greco, will feature William Zielinski (The Lovely Bones, film), Nancy Rodriguez (The Tempest, Oregon Shakespeare Festival) and Felix Solis (Havana is Waiting, Cherry Lane Theatre).  

Oak Dale, by Dan O'Brien and directed by Elizabeth Williamson, will feature Michael Cullen (Cobb, Falcon Theatre).

Reverberation, by Matthew Lopez and directed by Maxwell Williams, will feature Nick Westrate (the North American premiereof Tribes,) and Chris Perfetti (Sons of the Prophet, Roundabout Theatre Company).

A Swell in the Ground, by Janine Nabers and directed by Hana Sharif, will feature Sofia Jean Gomez (Angels in America: Part 1&2, Signature Theatre Company), Patch Darragh (The Glass Menagerie, Roundabout Theatre Company) and Leroy McClain (Broadway's Cymbeline)

The schedule of events for Brand:NEW is as follows:

Se Llama Cristina: Thursday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.

American Hero: Friday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.

Oak Dale: Saturday, October 27, 2 p.m.

Reverberation: Saturday, October 27, 7:30 p.m.

A Swell in the Ground: Sunday, October 28, 2 p.m.

Brand:NEW readings will be at Hartford Stage's Rehearsal Studio 2 at 942 Main Street (the Residence Inn building). See all five readings for $25 ($20 for Hartford Stage subscribers) or individual readings for $10 each. Tickets are available by calling the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or by visiting www.hartfordstage.org. 

Hartford Stage Company

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes'Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote'sThe Orphans' Home Cyclewhich had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee'sTo Kill a Mockingbird;the premieres of Michael Kramer'sDivine Rivalry;and Daniel Beaty'sResurrection (later retitledThrough the Night,which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler'sNecessary Targets, Edward Albee'sAt Home at the Zoo,Matthew Barber'sEnchanted April(which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo'sTea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.