WATERTOWN- New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is thrilled to present Exits and Entrances by Athol Fugard. Exits and Entrances opens for the press on February 25, 2009 at 7:30pm and plays through March 15, 2009 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

 “Exits and Entrances is a powerful play that looks at the importance of art and the impact it has on society,” states Rick Lombardo, Producing Artistic Director for New Repertory Theatre.  “With all the political and economic changes we are facing and undergoing, I could not imagine a more relevant time to stage this work.”

 "I am really looking forward to my process on this wonderful, richly layered play, Exits and Entrances," says Chris Jorie.  "I want to thank Rick Lombardo for this opportunity to direct at New Rep, and I am excited to introduce my work to New Rep's audience with this powerful and engaging play.

 Chris adds, “I am most fortunate to have the exceptional talents of actors Will Lyman and Ross MacDonald on board.  Playing characters compelled by passion and their unique connection to each other, Exits and Entrances proves to be truly special, must-see theatre."

 Exits and Entrances is a powerful play that looks at the importance of art and the impact it has on society.  With all the political and economic changes we are facing and undergoing, I could not imagine a more relevant time to stage this work.”

Engulfed in a world defined by the division of apartheid, a young man, addressed only as “The Playwright,” prepares an arrogant and aging star for the evening’s performance of Oedipus Rex. The Playwright struggles to find his voice, and the actor confronts his fear of no longer being admired, needed or wanted. As they debate, the pair finds themselves at odds about why art matters and the extent of its impact on the world. 

New Repertory Theatre produces plays that speak powerfully to the essential ideas of our time. Through the passion and electricity of live theater performed to the highest standards of excellence, New Rep expands and challenges the human spirit of both artists and audience. New Rep presents world premieres, contemporary and classic works in several intimate settings. We are committed to education and outreach, including special dedication to the creation of
innovative in-school programming and providing access to underserved audiences. New Rep is an active advocate for the arts and a major voice in the national dialogue defining the role of theater in our culture.

New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, direction, and production.  Programming at New Repertory Theatre is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

The Artists

Will Lyman (André) was recently nominated by London newspaper The Stage for Best Actor at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008, which, it was pointed out to him, makes him an “internationally acclaimed actor.” Meanwhile, he is well known to Boston audiences, not only for his previous work with New Rep (The Clean House, The Ice-Breaker), but also with: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (Brutus, Prospero, Claudius); SpeakEasy Stage (The Dying Gaul); Wheelock Family Theatre (To Kill a Mockingbird); and Boston Playwrights’ Theatre (A Girl’s War, King of the Jews.) Elsewhere in the U.S., he has performed with: Denver Center; Hartford Stage; Pennsylvania Stage; American Place; George Street; NJ Shakespeare; many others, long since defunct or forgotten; and several Off Broadway productions in New York. He has read with the National Symphony, Cleveland Symphony, and Handel and Haydn Society.  He has dabbled in episodic television with leading roles in Crossbow, Hull High, Threat Matrix, and Commander in Chief. Movies for television: Meltdown, Our Fathers, Three Sovereigns for Sarah, and George Washington.  Films: A Perfect Murder, The Siege, Welcome to the Dollhouse, Mystic River, the narrator in Little Children, and, most recently, What Doesn’t Kill You with Mark Ruffalo.  He will next be seen in the BPT/SpeakEasy/Forty Magnolias co-production of The Wrestling Patient, opening March 27.

Ross MacDonald (The Playwright) trained at the London of Academy of Performing Arts. He is delighted to be back at New Rep, having played Brendan in The Lieutenant of Inishmore in November. He made his Boston debut last summer with the Publick Theatre in The Seagull (Yakov) and Hay Fever (Bliss).  Before serving with the British Army in Helmand Province , Afghanistan , in 2007, Ross had performed in a wide variety of productions on "the other side of the pond."  His work includes numerous roles with Oxford Shakespeare Company, including Macbeth in Macbeth and Pistol and Fenton in Merry Wives of Windsor (where he met his lovely American wife). Other roles include: Dr. Faustus (Dr. Faustus); Garcin (Huis Clos); Spurio (Revengers Tragedy); Aston (The Caretaker); and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet). Film roles include the Parachute Regiment Officer, Lieutenant 119, in the award-winning Bloody Sunday.

 Chris Jorie (director) has directed Off Broadway on Theatre Row and nationally for: the Coronet, West Coast Ensemble, and Court Theater, all in Los Angeles; Oldcastle Theatre in Vermont ; and Theatre Aspen in Colorado. His recent, critically acclaimed production of It’s A Wonderful Life broke box office records at Stoneham Theatre. Chris directed the world premiere of Savages Off Broadway for Backhouse Productions, the regional premiere of Souvenir - direct from its  Broadway run, as well as Doubt, A Body of Water, Coyote on a Fence, Boston Marriage, Proof, Spinning into Butter, and Wit for Orlando Theatre Project, where he is a Resident Company Member. Wit received the Lillie Stoates Award for Best Production of the 2000-2001 Season for professional theatre in Central Florida . Additional credits include the regional premieres of The Guys for The Vine Theatre and The Old Settler for The People’s Theatre in Central Florida.As Artistic Director of Orlando Rep, he directed regional premieres of See Rock City , A Year with Frog and Toad, Just So, and Under the Bridge.  As Producing Artistic Director and Associate Artist for the Civic Theatres of Central Florida, he directed the regional premieres of Having Our Say, A Question of Mercy, and Picasso at the Lapin Agile, winner of the Lillie Award for Best Production of the 1998-99 Season in Central Florida.

 Athol Fugard (playwright) has been working in the theatre as a playwright, director, and actor since the mid-nineteen fifties in South Africa, England, and the United States. His plays include: No-Good Friday; Non-Gogo; Blood Knot; Hello and Goodbye; People are Living There; Boesman and Lena; Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act; Sizwe Banzi is Dead; Dimetos; The Island; A Lesson from Aloes; Master Harold…and the Boys; The Road to Mecca; A Place with the Pigs; My Children! My Africa!; Playland; Valley Song; The Captain’s Tiger; Sorrows & Rejoicings; and his most recent play, Exits  and Entrances. He has been seen on stage in South Africa, London, Broadway, Off Broadway, and U.S. regional theatres.  Film credits: The Road to Mecca, Gandhi, The Killing Fields, Meetings with Remarkable Men, Marigolds in August, Boesman and Lena, and The Guest.  He has also written the novel
TSOTSI, which is currently being filmed in South Africa, and his autobiographical memoirs, Cousin. 

Designers:               Scenic Design               Patrick Lynch  

                                 Lighting Design             John Malinowski

                                 Costume Design            Eric Propp

                                 Stage Manager              Amy Weissenstein

Performing:              First performance: Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 7:30pm

Press Opening: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 7:30pm

Runs through: Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 2:00pm

Tickets:                   Full Price $35-$54. Seniors $7 off full price. Student rush $13.
Call 617-923-8487, or buy online at www.newrep.org.          

Accessibility:          
Wheelchair accessible
Assisted Listening System 
 Box office with TTY
For TTY only, dial 617-923-2067
Large-Print and Braille Programs available

Public Transportation:        #70 or #70A bus to the School Street stop

 Parking:                   Free, six-level parking garage across from the Arsenal Center for the Arts

 For Press Inquires: Contact Gia Podobinski at 617-923-7060, extension 205, or      

                                    e-mail gia@newrep.org.

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