Pitt Repertory Theatre Presents Pittsburgh Premiere of Arthur Miller's "The American Clock"

PITTSBURGH- The University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre, celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, will present the Pittsburgh premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Arthur Miller's "The American Clock," directed by Robert C.T. Steele, Pitt's 2008 Richard Rauh Teaching Artist. Performances will run from Feb. 20 through March 2 at the Charity Randall Theatre in Pitt's Stephen Foster Memorial, Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard, Oakland.

America's most celebrated playwright takes the audience on a vaudevillian tour of the Great Depression. Based partly on Studs Terkel's "Hard Times" and partly on Miller's own experiences, "The American Clock" exhibits the same genius as that found in Miller's better-known works, "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible." From New York City to America's heartland, the formerly affluent Baum family and their neighbors experience and survive financial ruin. Miller's concise storytelling recreates the desperate era with a series of heartbreaking vignettes that simultaneously indict and celebrate the American spirit.

The ensemble cast of faculty and students plays more than 50 different roles and features Doug Mertz; Bruce McConachie; Elena Alexandratos; and Melanie Dreyer. Live musical numbers enhance the 1930s experience.

Steele's Pitt Rep credits include costume design for numerous productions and directing of "The Hudsucker Proxy," "Turn of the Screw," "Raft of the Medusa," "And Baby Makes Seven," and "Moby Dick Rehearsed." Most recently, he designed the set and costumes for the 2004 Pitt Rep production of "Twelfth Night" and directed the 2006 Pitt Rep production of "Tales of the Lost Formicans."

Tickets are $22 for general admission; $19 for Pitt faculty, staff, and alumni; and $12 for students. Additional information is available at www.play.pitt.edu or the box office at 412-624-PLAY (7529).

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2/18/08/tmw