FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 14, 2007
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS
THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD
JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2008

(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues its Marx Theatre season with Australian playwright Robert Hewett’s acclaimed play THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD. The show, in one of its first U.S. productions, begins previews in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre January 15 and continues through February 15.

Rhonda Russell (the redhead of the title) is a typical 40-something housewife. Married for nearly 18 years, she spends her days juggling the needs of her young son, trying to avoid parking tickets as she picks up the dry cleaning or stops at the vet on the way home to buy
de-worming tablets for the cat. However, her stereotypical life comes to an abrupt halt the day her husband, Graham, calls home from work to tell her that he’s moved out of their house.

The mystery takes a more desperate turn two months later when her best friend and next door neighbor, Lynette (the brunette), sees Rhonda’s husband outside the local McDonald’s with a younger blonde. When Rhonda rushes to the mall to confront the other woman, what results is a crime of passion that forever changes her life and the lives of everyone around her.

THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD premiered at The Stables Theatre in Sydney, Australia, in February 2004. In January 2005, it launched the Melbourne Theatre Company season at the Fairfax Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Australia, playing to capacity and extending its run, before touring Victoria and New South Wales.  It was also presented at the regional Hothouse Theatre, Albury, Australia, in March 2005, and in January 2006, a French-language translation premiered at Theatre Claque in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The play was also produced in 2006 at the Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, by the State Theatre Company of South Australia and by the Auckland Theatre Company in New Zealand. The first North American production opened at the Grand Theatre’s McManus Studio in London, Ontario, in November 2005. It was a runaway hit at Canada’s renowned Stratford Festival two seasons in a row.

Playwright Robert Hewett began his career as an actor. An honors graduate of Flinders University, he joined the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1972, working extensively in theatre, film, television and radio throughout this decade before switching to a career as a writer. Mr. Hewett’s writing credits include the plays Just .... One Last Dance, Gulls (Green Room Award for Best Play, short listed Premiere's Literary Awards), The Adman, Waking Eve, Goodbye Mrs. Blore, a one-act play Showday and the cabaret Taught By Experts.

Renowned regional actress Annalee Jefferies will make her debut at the Playhouse as she transforms into multiple characters in this one-woman production.

THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD is directed by Mark Lamos. Broadway credits include Cymbeline, Edward Albee’s Seascape, The Rivals, Our Country’s Good (Tony nomination) and Measure for Measure (Lortel Award, Best Revival) at the Lincoln Center Theater as well as Fascinating Rhythm and The Deep Blue Sea at Roundabout Theatre Company. He is an Associate Artist at Yale Repertory Theater and a 2007 Beinecke Fellow at Yale University. Other members of the production team include Andrew Jackness (set designer), Candice Donnelly (costume designer), Thomas C. Hase (lighting designer), David Stephen Baker (sound designer) and John Gromada (composer). The first stage manager is Andrea L. Shell and production stage manager is Jenifer Morrow.

Tickets to THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD are on sale now. Prices range from $39 - $52 depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $36 for the
preview performances at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16. The official opening night is Thursday, January 17 at 8:00 p.m.

Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

For tickets to THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Special Performances

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.
Sunday, January 20 at 2:00p.m.
Wednesday, January 23 at 7:30p.m.
Sunday, February 3 at 2:00p.m.
Thursday, February 7 at 8:00p.m.

Audio Described Performance
4 p.m. Saturday, January 19

Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, January 20

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $25, which does not include gratuity.

Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co. and Schiff-Kreidler Shell, Inc.

Design Sponsor:
The Geiler Company

Artist Sponsor:
Sheer Blonde®, Brilliant Brunette® and Radiant Red®
from The John Frieda® Collection

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Fifth Third Bank

The 2007-2008 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

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