PLAYS THE STAGE THEATRE NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 16

The Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) presents J.B. Priestley’s hilarious British comedy, WHEN WE ARE MARRIED, playing The Stage Theatre November 16 – December 16, 2012. Tickets may be purchased now, by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org.

What would you do if you discovered on your 25^th wedding anniversary that you weren’t legally married? Playwright J.B. Priestley cranks up the tension by multiplying the idea times three as six spouses — all prominent citizens in a small English town — struggle to figure out how to protect their reputations and resolve their newly unmarried status. “This play is the quintessential British comedy,” says Kent Thompson, Producing Artistic Director for the DCTC.  “The characters are not only vivid and comedic but they tell a story of ‘what if?’”

Embodying that particular type of British humor that has drawn so many fans to love Absolutely Famous and Fawlty Towers, the WHEN WE ARE MARRIED cast is an all-star reunion of many DCTC company favorites. Playing the roles of the three full-blooded couples who find out they are not legally married after 25 years are: John Hutton (To Kill a Mockingbird, The House of Spirits, Plainsong,  Winter’s Tale) and Jeanne Paulsen (Doubt, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Superior Donuts, The House of the Spirits) as Mr. and Mrs. Helliwell, Sam Gregory (The 39 Steps, Noises Off, Doubt, A Flea in Her Ear,) and Leslie O’Carroll (A Christmas Carol, Reckless, Eventide) as Mr. and Mrs. Soppitt and Larry Paulsen (The 39 Steps, The Three Musketeers, Great Wall Story) and Kathleen McCall (Heartbreak House, The Taming of the Shrew, Season’s Greetings) as Mr. and Mrs. Parker. No British comedy would be complete without the stereotypical stubborn maid, Mrs. Northrop, played by longtime DCTC member; Kathleen M. Brady (Superior Donuts, The Trip to Bountiful, A Funny Thing Happened…,The Madwoman). The rest of the cast is rounded out by DCTC veterans and debut artists: Allison Pistorius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The House of the Spirits, A Christmas Carol) plays Nancy Holmes, Nance Williamson (Hotel on Marvin Gardens) is Lottie Grady, and Erik Sandvold (Plainsong, The Diary of Anne Frank, Well) is Rev. Clement Mercer. Debuting at DCTC are Sarah Manton as Ruby Birtle, Benjamin Bonenfant as Gerald Forbes, Jake Walker as Fred Dyson and Tom Beckett as Henry Ormonroyd.

Associate Artistic Director and Director of New Play Development Bruce K. Sevy (Heartbreak House, Mariela in the Desert, The Voysey Inheritance, A Christmas Carol) directs this 1900’s farcical comedy full of hysterical antics and mistaken identities. Audiences will be transported to England and feel as if they have stepped into the Edwardian period when they see the set designed by Vicki Smith (Fences, Heartbreak House, Adventures of Tom Sawyer). Costume designer David Kay Mickelsen (Fences, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Liar) adheres to the fashions of the time period, while using specific colors, patterns and textures that enhance each character’s nature. 

While the women’s fabrics vary from silks, woolens and cottons that are plain, printed and embroidered, the men are mostly dressed in woolen suits. Color is carefully utilized to help clarify and define the story of each couple as the plot unfolds.  Both set and costumes are complimented by the lighting design of Don Darnutzer (Fences, Heartbreak House, Dracula) and sound design by Jason Ducat (Fences, Heartbreak House, World Premiere Two Things You Don’t Talk About At Dinner). Dramaturgy is by Douglas Langworthy (The Three Musketeers, Heartbreak House, World Premiere Great Wall Story) and voice and dialect coach Kathryn G. Maes Ph.D completes the setting by ensuring only the purest form of the charming Yorkshire accent is used.

Single tickets for WHEN WE ARE MARRIED, on sale now, start at $36 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program).  To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100.  For groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829.  TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582.  Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby.  Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.  Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability.  Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).  Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

This production of WHEN WE ARE MARRIED is generously supported by Producing Partners Diana and Mike Kinsey and by Contributing Partners Martin and Jo Ann Semple.  The production is sponsored by Ashford University, Boeing and the Gay & Lesbian Fund of Colorado. WHEN WE ARE MARRIED is part of the Denver Center Theatre Company 2012/13 season, which is generously supported by Larimer Square, The Steinberg Charitable Trust and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Special Events for WHEN WE ARE MARRIED

Perspectives on the Play | Nov 16 at 6pm

The DCTC’s creative team provides the audience a unique perspective on the production. In the Jones Theatre.

Student Night | Nov 16, 7:30

Students purchase $10 tickets ahead of time on-line, in person or over the phone for these designated student nights (promo code 2013STUDENT, valid student ID required).

General Talkbacks | Nov 25, post-show

Join us for a discussion with the actors from the show

Fourth Wall | Dec 1 at 5:30pm

Join other 20 and 30-somethings at Fourth Wall, which includes tickets to the play and pre- and post-show parties that expand the theatrical world.  The event includes a light dinner, a ticket to the show and a drink at the after-party. For more information visit www.denvercenter.org/fourthwall.

Talkback hosted by the Higher Education Advisory Council | Dec 9, post-show

Join the cast for a discussion led by members of our academic community.

ASL Interpretation/Audio Described Performance | Dec 9, 1:30pm

Theatre & Theology | Dec 11, post-show

In a continued partnership with Pastor Dan Bollman of the Rocky Mountain Evangelical Lutheran Synod, this discussion examines the relevant connections to the productions through the theological lens.

For more information on these special events, please visit http://www.denvercenter.org/education/EducationResources.aspx

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PERFORMANCE DATES                                     November 16 – December 16

Tuesday – Thursday                                                    6:30pm

Friday – Sunday                                                         7:30pm

Saturday & Sunday matinee                                       1:30pm

**Please be advised that The Denver Center for the Performing Arts – denvercenter.org – is the ONLY authorized online seller of tickets for Denver Center Attractions (the Broadway touring productions) and the Denver Center Theatre Company (the resident theatre company productions). Currently there are scalpers, also known as ‘second party vendors,’ selling tickets online at a rate more than double the standard price – and up. Tickets bought through these vendors MAY NOT BE VALID. You could not only be refused admission, but also lose your entire investment.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit organization.