UDM Theatre Company & Breathe Art Theatre Project partner to present Edward Albee's "The Play About the Baby"

The University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company and Breathe Art Theatre Project are joining with several companies in New York City and across the country to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of America's greatest living playwrights, Edward Albee. "The Play About the Baby" opens Friday, March 28 at Marygrove College Theatre, home of The UDM Theatre Company. The production will move to the The Furniture Factory on April 4 for a weekend of performances at Breathe Art's home.

In addition to the dynamic partnership that will produce the Detroit production of "The Play About the Baby" four major productions of Edward Albee's work will be presented in and around New York during the 2007-08 season. Collectively entitled, The Albee Season, the plays include "Peter and Jerry" at Second Stage Theatre, "Me, Myself and I" at McCarter Theatre, "The Sandbox" and "The American Dream" at Cherry Lane Theatre and "Occupant" at Signature Theatre. The productions span 50 years of Albee's career. Edward Albee will celebrate his 80th birthday on March 12, 2008.

"The Play About the Baby" is directed by Breathe Art co-founder and UDM adjunct faculty member Courtney Burkett and includes UDM theatre students David Kowalczyk (Dearborn), Marissa Thorndyke (Dearborn) as Boy and Girl and professional actors Peter Cody (Windsor) and Wendy Wagner (West Bloomfeild) as Man and Woman.

Performances of "The Play About the Baby" are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for "The Play About the Baby" are $15 regular admission and $13 discount admission for Senior citizens, UDM employees, and alumni. Non-UDM students with a valid student ID pay $9. UDM and Marygrove students with a valid student ID pay $5. The play will be performed at Marygrove College Theatre (8425 W. McNichols Rd.) March 28 - April 6 and The Furniture Factory (1462 Third Street Detroit, MI). To reserve tickets, call 313-993-3270.

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The University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan's largest private Catholic University, offering approximately 100 majors and programs in 60 academic fields. Sponsored by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the University has three campuses located in downtown and northwest Detroit.

UDM was ranked among the top tier of Midwestern master's universities in U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" – 2009 edition. UDM was also rated one of the top 15 institutions in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category.

Publish date: February 29, 2008