PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 5, 2016
CONTACT: Kate Brandt, kate.brandt@mrt.org
PR CONTACT PHONE: 978-654-7595
BOX OFFICE: 978-654-4678
ONLINE: mrt.org
SPECIAL EVENTS SET FOR
“THE WHITE CHIP” AT MRT
World Premiere Comedy Runs January 6 - 31
Lowell, MA – Special events for Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s world premiere production of “The White Chip” have recently been announced including post-show discussions and free child care. The post-show discussion schedule includes the return of an artist from earlier in the season: Benjamin Scheuer, the writer and performer of “The Lion,” which opened the 2015-16 Season. Scheuer will join Sean Daniels to discuss autobiographical writing for theatre.
“The White Chip” is a dark comedy about the science of addiction written by Sean Daniels, MRT’s Artistic Director, and is based on his own struggles with alcoholism and path to recovery. The autobiographical story will be produced with a creative team that features an impressive list of artists who have many Broadway credits, including director Sheryl Kaller. The 90-minute play will run from January 6 - 31 with performances Wednesdays through Sundays. All performances will be held at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $60 - $23 and are on sale now at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.
Post-Show Discussions
A special post-show discussion has been added following the 7:00 pm performance on Sunday, January 24 with playwright Sean Daniels and Benjamin Scheuer (writer and performer of “The Lion”), who will discuss autobiographical writing for the theatre.
On most Wednesdays, audiences are invited to stay for Community Conversations, post-show discussions about the themes of the play with local non-profit organizations. Organizations include Lowell House and Megan’s House (January 13), and SMART Recovery (January 27). In addition Sean Daniels will host a conversation about his experience on January 20.
Each Thursday, Ask the Artists will provide an opportunity for the audience to hear directly from the people who created the show in a post-show discussion.
Free Child Care will be offered for patrons of the 4:00 pm performance on Saturday, January 23. The child care is provided by licensed and insured providers Acre Family Child Care onsite at MRT. The child care is free, but advance reservations are required. This is the third time that Free Child Care has been offered this season and the response from the community has been very positive. The program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Lowell Cultural Council. More information about the program can be found at mrt.org/childcare.
White Chip Shot Performance
Daniels’ desire to make the play accessible to as many people in addiction recovery as possible led to the development of the White Chip Shot campaign. Through this program, an additional performance has been added to the schedule on January 19. This performance is exclusively for people from the community who are in treatment for addiction, who will all receive complimentary tickets to the show. Funding for this program is provided by Lead Sponsor Megan’s House, Featured Sponsor Lowell House, Backer MOAR (Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery), and a group of individual donors. Additional funding received will go toward transportation to that performance. More information about the project can be found at www.mrt.org/white-chip-shot.
“The White Chip” is supported by Production Sponsor Circle Health and received additional support from Media Sponsor 90.9 WBUR. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) has been the Merrimack Valley’s professional theatre company since 1979, and is an integral part of Lowell’s identity as the cultural heart of the region. The company is known for its high production standards and for creating compelling new plays and regional premieres that reflect the lives and emotions of its audiences. MRT is one of just three theatres in Massachusetts that is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), which has 72 members nationwide.
MRT 2015-16 SEASON
“The Lion”, written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer
August 26 – September 20, 2015
“I and You” by Lauren Gunderson
October 7 – November 1, 2015
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” adapted by Joe Landry
November 25 – December 20, 2015
“The White Chip” by Sean Daniels
January 6 – 31, 2015
“Tinker to Evers to Chance by Mat Smart
February 10 – March 6, 2016
“The Realness: a break beat play” by Idris Goodwin
March 16 – April 10, 2016
“Home of the Brave” by Lila Rose Kaplan
April 20 – May 15, 2016
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Performance Space: The Nancy L. Donahue Theatre
(In Liberty Hall, adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium)
50 E. Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Box Office: 978-654-4678
Image Download
Headshots and PR images available now. Production photos will be available on January 7.
1. Visit the “The White Chip” photo collection on Flickr
2. Select a photo from the Photo Stream or the Albums
3. Click on the thumbnail and let the image load in your browser on the Flickr site.
4. Click the download button and select View All Sizes.
5. Select the size you wish to download from the choices listed across the top of the image.
6. Click the "Download the ___ size of this photo..." link at the top. The image will download to your computer.
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