January 3, 2007

(Columbia, MD) – Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College, with Michael Stebbins, Artistic Director, continues its 2006/07 season with "Two by Pinter: The Collection and The Lover," written by Harold Pinter, winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Directed by Xerxes Mehta, "Two by Pinter: The Collection and The Lover" infuse the landscape of marriage with all the humor, mystery and menace that are the unique hallmarks of a Pinter play. Alleged infidelities and fantasy role-playing create tensions both amusing and terrifying. "Two by Pinter: The Collection and The Lover" opens February 2 and closes February 25, 2007. Press Opening is Sunday, February 4 at 2:30pm.

Written in 1961, "The Collection" is a trim, witty but unsettling vignette depicting a household wobbling with a tremor of adultery, as two couples fall victim to suspicions and jealousy. What really did happen in a hotel room in Leeds becomes irrelevant, except as the ignition point to their pursuit to find the truth about each other.

Written in 1962, "The Lover" is one of Pinter's most direct and economic exercises, a squalid tale of the necessity and danger of fantasy. Sarah calmly discusses with her husband, Richard, the lover who visits her every afternoon, but the masquerade swiftly dissolves for the audience as we realize that this is pure fantasy, a role-play the couple has created where they can explore their feelings for each other and brighten up a dull relationship.

Xerxes Mehta, director, is the past Founder and Artistic Director of The Maryland Stage Company (1987-2002) and President of the world Samuel Beckett Society (2000-2002). Mehta has directed nine plays by Samuel Beckett, lectured and published internationally on Beckett’s theatre, and taken productions to international Beckett festivals in France and Germany. He is currently a Professor of Theatre at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. In 1996, Rosette Lamont of TheaterWeek magazine called Mehta, "one of the great stage artists working in America today."

The design team for "Two by Pinter: The Collection and The Lover" includes both New York City and local designers. Judith Daitsman, lighting designer, recently designed Rep Stage’s "The Santaland Diaries" and counts among her credits NYC and regional theatre, The Martha Graham Dance Company and The National Theatre of Greece. Set and costume designer, Elena Zlotescu, recently designed sets and costumes for "Big Death and Little Death" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and served as resident set and costume designer for The Maryland Stage Company. Sound designer Ann Warren’s credits include New York, regional theatre and Rep Stage’s "The Santaland Diaries" as well as being a member of the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM), based in Paris, France, where she is a composer-in-residence. Lynn Watson provides vocal direction; her regional credits include the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Maryland Stage Company, Studio Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, American Conservatory Theatre.

The cast of "The Lover" includes: Nigel Reed, recipient of the 2002 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Oscar Wilde in "The Judas Kiss" at Rep Stage. Marni Penning, Helen Hayes nominee for her role in "After Ashley" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, has appeared off and off-off Broadway, regionally at Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Shakespeare Theatre and has been directed by Mehta in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream". Bill Largess works extensively in Baltimore and Washington regional theatre and has worked with Mehta on several occasions.

The cast of "The Collection" includes: Peggy Yates, Helen Hayes Award nominee for roles at Rep Stage and Olney Theatre Center. She has appeared at Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage and with The Maryland Stage Company in "The Seagull," "Six Degrees of Separation" and Samuel Beckett’s "Play," all directed by Mehta. Timothy Andres Pabon’s regional theatre credits include Rep Stage, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre and his screen credits include HBO’s "The Wire," "The FBI Files". Bolton Marsh most recently appeared in Baltimore Shakespeare Festival’s production of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged]" and had a featured role in "Something the Lord Made," featuring Alan Rickman and Mos Def. Bill Largess also appears in "The Collection."

Special events associated with this production include a moderated post-play discussion held following the performance on Friday, February 9 and a pre-show lecture entitled "Do You Know Her Well?: Pinter’s Theatre" on Saturday, February 3 at 1 PM in the Monteabaro Recital Hall at Howard Community College.

For tickets and information contact the Rep Stage Box Office at 410-772-4900 or online at www.repstage.org.