Pitt Repertory Theatre Presents Comedy/Drama Compleat Female Stage Beauty Nov. 8-18

PITTSBURGH—Intrigue, mystery, sex, and attempted murder take the stage as the University of Pittsburgh-based Pitt Repertory Theatre presents the comedy/drama Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Nov. 8-18. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays in the Henry Heymann Theatre in Pitt’s Stephen Foster Memorial, Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard, Oakland. For tickets or for more information, call 412-624-PLAY (7529) or visit www.play.pitt.edu.

Set in England in 1661, a time when only men could act on stage, the story focuses on Kynaston, a male actor who has become the toast of the town for his stunning portrayal of Shakespeare’s tragic leading ladies—Ophelia, Cleopatra, and Desdemona. But when an unknown actress plays Desdemona in an illegal theater, King Charles II changes the law and allows women to become actors. Kynaston’s world spirals out of control as he loses his cachet, his lover, and sense of self. But fate gives him one last chance to take the stage and reap his revenge.

Compleat Female Stage Beauty was written by Jeffrey Hatcher and is directed by Dave Bisaha, a doctoral student in Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Dylan Marquis Meyers, a Pitt junior majoring in theatre arts, plays Kynaston. The production’s supporting actors, choreographer, assistant director, and vocal coach also are Pitt students.

Following the play’s official opening night on Nov. 9, a postshow reception will take place in the Stephen Foster Memorial’s Fred Kelly Lobby.

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10/29/12/mab/cjhm