Manna

PLAYWRIGHT
Steve Murray

DIRECTOR
Weir Harman

March 4 – April 10, 2001

SYNOPSIS

A World Premiere Coproduction with Theater Emory
It’s 2002 and the world is spinning faster now. And faster still from credit cards and cell phones and phone sex and stop it all–for the love of a boy with puppy dog eyes. One sunny day little rich Lily meets Derek, a sweet boy who does research for Anna, an anthropologist who wants Richard really nastylike and he’s, well, Lily’s dad. Manna, the latest from the brilliant Steve Murray, turns out to be an intricate clockwork of a farce. When they tell us it’s a small world, it’s only because technology and “convenience” have crushed us real tight…

 

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

The idea of”Manna” first occurred to Steve in the last year ofthe
previous millennium during a walk in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. He was
struck by the sight of so many people scurrying around the scenic
landscape, fringed by city towers, shouting and giggling and crying on
their cell phones. So many people passing inches away, but never
noticing each other because they were talking to people who WEREN’T
there. This is the world premiere ofthis brilliantfarce.

ABOUT STEVE MURRAY

“Manna” was developed through the Playwriting Center at Theater
Emory. Wier Harman directed two readings at Emory’s Brave New Works
in March, 2001 and again in November, 2002. In between, it was
workshopped last July in Oregon’s “JAW/West” new play festival at
Portland Center Stage, now home to previous Actor’s Express artistic
director Chris Coleman. There, it was directed by Bill Fennelly, who
directed the Express musical Violetin 2000.

FROM DIRECTOR WIER HARMAN


As a director, itis always tempting to startjabbering about a play’s
ideas–in the case of Manna, its sharp commentary on the obstacles
contemporary culture throws in the path oftrue intimacy, orits astute
criticism of a materialistic society hurtling out of control, CEOs and
stockholders atthe switch. That stuff’s alltrue, butIthink I should tell
you that Manna is fast, funny, and really,really naughty. Itleaves no
sacred cow untipped; it’s an equal opportunity offender.

ABOUT THE CAST


The cast of Manna includes five Actor’s Express veterans. Kim Shipley is
playing the role of Richard, and previously played Gregory in the Actor’s
Express production Love! Valour! Compassion! Kathleen Wattis (Anna)
last appeared on The Express stage as Cindy in Fefu andHer Friends and
as Janie in Rescue & Recovery, also by Steve Murray. Brian Crawford
((Derek) played Ste in Beautiful Thing, Kristi Casey (Woman B) was in The
Misanthrope and Anne Towns (Woman A) was seen in the doll plays. Rounding out the cast are Atlanta actors Heather Starkel (Lily), a
company member of Out of Hand Theatre, and Ryan Kipp (Blake).

“ALL THE MORE POWERFUL FOR BEING SO FEARLESSLY UNPREDICTABLE.”

– Los Angeles TIMES

“SEARING AND SENSATIONALLY FUNNY!”

– New York Times

“EXPLOSIVE. INSANELY ENTERTAINING AND COMPLETELY ENGAGING.”

– New York Magazine

Cast & Creative Team

Kristi Casey

Woman B

Brain Crawford

Derek

RYan Kipp

Blake

Kim Shipley

Richard

Heather Starkel

Lily

ANNIE TOWNS

WOMEN A

KATHLEEN WATTIS KETTREY

ANNA

PLAYWRIGHT

STEVE MURRAY

DIRECTOR

WEIR HARMAN

SCENIC DESIGNER

KAREN HOFFMAN

LIGHTING DESIGNER

BRIDGET BEIER

COSTUME DESIGNER

MIRANDA HOFFMAN

PROPERTIES DESIGNER/ SET DECORATOR

NICK BATTAGLIA

Stage Manager

Joan Foster McMarty

INTIMACY CHOREOGRAPHER

ASH ANDERSON

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

WHITNEY NELSON

Stage Manager

Joan Foster McMarty

PRODUCTION MANAGER

SEAMUS M. BOURNE

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

D. CONNOR MCVEY

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

ENGLISH BRACKETT

PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN

TOM PRIESTER

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

ELIZA CRAFT

CASTING DIRECTOR

SHEILA OLIVER

CASTING ASSOCIATE

JUSTIN KALIN

CHARGE SCENIC ARTIST

AMANDA NERBY

WIG DESIGNER

LAMONT SAMUELS

RUNNING TIME

Two hours with one intermission

CONTENT ADVISORY

Audience Advisory: This production contains full nudity, strong adult language and descriptions and depictions of sensitive and intense issues and situations. For more detailed information about potential trigger warnings, please click HERE

SEATING

There is open seating for this production.

PERFORMANCES

Previews

May 12 & 13 at 8 pm

Opening Night

May 14 at 8 pm

Regular Performances

May 14 – June 12, 2022
Wednesdays – Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

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