press release
2009 - 2010 season

Undermain Theatre’s 26th season begins with the return of The Black Monk, September 9 - October 3, 2009

For press information: mail@undermain.org

The Undermain Theatre is pleased to announce the return of The Black Monk by David Rabe. This wildly popular production, which played to sold out crowds in the spring, will kick off the Undermain’s 26th season. The production is planned to coincide with the Simon and Schuster publication of the revised edition of the play prepared by David Rabe for Undermain Theatre’s April performance. The Black Monk, based on the novella by Anton Chekhov will be performed September 9th through October 3rd, 2009.

Directed by Katherine Owens. Scenic design by John Arnone, lighting design by Steve Woods, costume design by Bryan Wofford, and the sound design is by Bruce DuBose.

David Rabe brings Anton Chekhov’s spiritual mystery to vivid life. Tony and Obie Award winning writer David Rabe is the author of such classic American contemporary plays as Sticks and Bones, Hurlyburly, Streamers, In the Boom Boom Room and more. He' s also written screenplays for films such as I' m Dancing as fast as I can, The Firm and Casualties of War.

Based on the novella by Anton Chekhov, The Black Monk tells the story of a brilliant but haunted young scholar, Andrei Vasilich Kovrin. Exhausted to the point of madness by his studies, Kovrin returns to the garden estate of his childhood benefactor Yegor Pesotsky and his daughter Tanya. Kovrin tells Tanya the legend of the black monk whose image has been reflected in mirages for a thousand years and who will soon return in the flesh. One day in the garden, the black monk appears to the young man and holds the key either to enlightenment or to total devastation.

The cast for The Black Monk is: Bruce DuBose, Jonathan Brooks, Shannon Kearns-Simmons, Newton Pittman, Kent Williams, Stefanie Tovar, Richard Rollin, Ian Sinclair. Musicians will be Ariana Cook and Reynaldo Patiño.

Undermain Theatre performances are Wednesdays-Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays-Saturdays at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are Weds $15, Thurs $15, Fri $20, and Sat $25. Undermain is located at 3200 Main Street at Murray Street in Deep Ellum. Discounts are available for seniors, students, KERA members and groups. Call 214.747.5515 or visit www.undermain.org.

“Mr. Rabe has heightened theatrical possibilities by extending descriptive passages into dramatic scenes that catch fire…The Black Monk is a heady event... Don't miss it."
~ Alvin Klein, The New York Times

"...staggeringly beautiful performances…The most sensitive and assured production in the company's 25-year history "
~ Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News

“dark and rich and splendid looking… the overall twilight feel of this production is one of its great, appealing accomplishments.”
~ Jerome Weeks, KERA Art & Seek

"The art of the imagination triumphs..."
~Alexandra Bonifield, OpEdNews

"This is a show you won't want to miss"
~ Martha Heimberg, Turtle Creek News

ABOUT UNDERMAIN
Undermain Theatre, founded in 1984, is a company of artists that performs new and experimental works in Texas, New York, and Europe. The theater collaborates with playwrights, supports a theater archive and operates a theater under 3200 Main Street in Dallas’ legendary Deep Ellum. Call 214-747-2417 or visit www.undermain.org for more information.

Artistic Director: Katherine Owens. Executive Producer: Bruce DuBose. Associate Producer: Suzanne Thomas.

Photo: Katherine Owens

The Black Monk with Jonathan Brooks, Bruce DuBose, and Shannon Kearns-Simmons

Photo: Brian Barnaud

David Rabe (far right) in attendance 5/2/09 talking with Jonathan Brooks and Katherine Owens and Ashley Randall.