Guthrie Presents 'Old Wicked Songs'

July 16, 2008.By Broadway World News Desk.

The Guthrie is pleased to present Theater Latté Da's production of "Old Wicked Songs" by Jon Marans. Directed by Peter Rothstein, the 1996 Pulitzer Prize nominee opens Theater Latté Da's 11th season, performing in the Dowling Studio from September 12 through October 5 in repertory with their recital of Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe, the song cycle at the heart of the play. Single tickets for Old Wicked Songs are priced from $18 to $34. Tickets for the Dichterliebe recital are $15, or $10 if purchased with Old Wicked Songs. Tickets are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

"Old Wicked Songs" tells the story of Stephen Hoffman (Jonas Goslow), a young American pianist suffering an artistic block, and Professor Josef Mashkan (Raye Birk), the aging Viennese musician who helps re-ignite his inspiration. Schumann's song cycle Dichterliebe echoes throughout the work as a third "character" in the play, with its structure and themes mirrored in the events on stage. An emotional journey through joy and sadness, anger and redemption, "Old Wicked Songs" explores the unique connection found between two cultures and two generations of musicians.

Baritone Bradley Greenwald and pianist Sonja Thompson will perform Schumann's Dichterliebe on September 21, 28 and October 5 in the Dowling Studio.

The artistic team for "Old Wicked Songs" includes John Clarke Donahue (Scenic Design), Amelia Cheever (Costume Design), Marcus Dilliard (Lighting Design) and Montana Johnson (Sound Design).

For more information on "Old Wicked Songs", visit www.theaterlatteda.org.

The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Guthrie is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. Led by Director Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie opened their new three-theater home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in June 2006.

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily at 612.377.2224 or toll-free 877.44.STAGE. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.guthrietheater.org.

Now in its 11th season, Theater Latté Da has earned a unique place in the Twin Cities' arts scene. Under the artistic leadership of Peter Rothstein and Denise Prosek, Theater Latté Da has created a new voice for musical theater that both respects and challenges its audience. The company boasts an impressive history, including numerous area and world premieres as well as radical rethinkings of existing work, to significant critical and popular acclaim. Theater Latté Da holds itself to the highest standards of artistry while remaining committed to taking risks and constantly pushing the boundaries of musical storytelling.