Manna

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).