Venice Little Theatre www.venicestage.com

CONTACT PERSON [NOT FOR RELEASE] : Maureen Holland, 484-4033 x 221

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      February 20, 2008

The words "funny" and "frightening" don’t often go together. Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, however, is both.

An offering of Venice Little Theatre’s 2007-08 Stage II season, The Pillowman opens in the Pinkerton Theatre on March 13, 2008 and continues until March 30 with performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

This Broadway hit explores disturbing and macabre situations with a biting and often child-like sense of humor. With The Pillowman, Venice Little Theatre’s Stage II continues its long tradition of bringing explosive, often controversial plays to SW Florida.

The play is a departure for author Martin McDonagh, whose work usually draws deeply on the myths and language of the Irish. The author of The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lieutenant of Inishmore, McDonagh has been nominated for the Tony for Best New Play for each of the four of his works which thus far have reached Broadway.

But The Pillowman is very different.

With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka – and the Brothers Grimm! – The Pillowman centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura, and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

The theatre encourages audience discretion. The Pillowman contains extremely strong language and violence. It is not recommended for children or young teenagers

The New York Times called it "a blindingly bright black comedy". The Chicago Tribune said the author is "a dangerously prodigious master of theatrical form with a talent that goes far deeper than most people understand. . . .The Pillowman is thoroughly startling and genuinely intimidating." And Variety called it "Mr. McDonagh’s least forgiving, bravest play."

Directing is Murray Chase, VLT’s Artistic Director. Designer Steve Rubin is creating the set for the visual challenges of this play, in which apparent stories become other stories.

Tickets are $23 and are on sale now in the theatre’s box office, by phone at 941-488-1115 or online at www.venicestage.com

The theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave on the island in Venice. The Box Office is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and opens one hour before all performances.

5321: Black/white ‘art’ image is Steve O’Dea

5269. Neil Kasanofsky and Jeremy Heideman

by Martin McDonagh

DIRECTED BY Murray Chase

SCENIC DESIGN BY Steve Rubin

COSTUME DESIGN BY Nicholas Hartman

SOUND DESIGN BY Dorian Boyd

LIGHTING DESIGN BY Chris McVicker

PROPS DESIGN BY Steve Credeur

STAGE MANAGER Lori Chase

Tupolski - Neil Kasanofsky

Katurian - Jeremy Heideman

Ariel - Ronald Krine Myroup

Michal - Steve O’Dea

Mother - Denelle Balliet

Father - Daniel Potvin

Young Katurian - Tony DeNiro

Young Michal - Patrick Mounce

Little Jesus / Little Green Girl - Hayley Balliet