Deep Dish Theater Company | Past Productions

STATE OF THE

UNION

by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, directed by Paul Frellick
February 14 – March 8

A shrewd, witty, and surprisingly contemporary look at politics, as a business tycoon and his family contemplate a run for the Presidency. Winner of the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The Deep Dish Book Book Selection for this production is Primary Colors, by Anonymous (aka Joe Klein). Publishers Weekly says this thinly disguised look at the first Clinton presidential campaign "stands as a definitive political novel for these uneasy times." A discussion of the book, free and open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m., prior to the performance on Thursday, March 6. You can also join the online discussion of Primary Colors at www.deepdishbook.blogspot.com.

DEEP DISH THEATER PRESENTS

STATE OF THE UNION

CHAPEL HILL -- Deep Dish Theater Company's 2007-2008 season continues with Pulitzer Prize-winning political comedy State of the Union by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Deep Dish Artistic Director Paul Frellick will direct the production, which runs from February 14 to March 8.

In State of the Union, self-made aviation tycoon Grant Matthews (David zum Brunnen) is unwillingly drafted as a dark horse presidential candidate by newspaper heiress Kay Thorndyke (Susannah Hough) and political power broker Jim Conover (Jordan Smith). Set in the years following World War II, the Republican Party is desperate to retake the White House, held by the Democrats since 1933, and believes that political outsider Matthews may be the man who can revive the party’s appeal.

As he hits the campaign trail, Matthews’ outspoken wife Mary (Jeri Lynn Schulke) joins him to quell rumors of his affair with Thorndyke. The estranged couple clashes in Spencer Tracy - Katharine Hepburn style (the two appeared in the movie version of the play) as Matthews must choose between his integrity and pressures from the politicos and lobbyists.

Although first performed in 1945, State of the Union takes a surprisingly contemporary look at presidential politics and the issues faced by candidates as they try to reconcile their beliefs with the demands of contributors and special interests. “The play is a sparkling political comedy,” says director Frellick, “and as topical when it was written as 'Saturday Night Live' is now."

Frellick continues, “The lead-up to the Truman-Dewey race was a heady time in American history—labor unrest, the first attempts at civil rights legislation and national health insurance, fierce debate over America’s place in the international community. The playwrights wanted the play to continue to address contemporary concerns—for us, that has meant making sure the play’s depiction of its time is as penetrating and authentic as we can make it, so that the analogies between that era and ours stand out.”

David zum Brunnen (Grant Matthews) appeared with Deep Dish in the one-man Via Dolorosa. He has appeared in numerous productions in the Triangle, and with EbzB Productions, the company he runs with his wife, Serena Ebhardt. They have toured a variety of productions nationally, including War Bonds: the Songs & Letters of World War II, which was recently broadcast on UNC-TV and is planned for national distribution.

Jeri Lynn Schulke (Mary Matthews) has graced the Deep Dish productions of Orson's Shadow and The Gratitude of Wasps, while Susannah Hough (Kay Thorndyke) and Jordan Smith (Jim Conover) are joining Deep Dish for the first time. State of the Union’s cast also features Chuck Ebert, Larry Evans, Thom Gradisher, Margaret Jemison, Curt Kirkhoff, Holmes Morrison, Jim Roman and Sharlene Thomas.

Lisa Tireman is designing the sets, Sue Sweezy is the costumer, Doug Wood is the lighting designer, David Klionsky is the sound designer, Devra Thomas will create the props, Karen Blansfield is the dramaturg and Jennifer Bauer is the stage manager.

Audience discussions will follow Sunday matinee performances on February 17 (featuring a conversation with the production's design team) and February 24. The Deep Dish Book Selection for this production is Primary Colors, by Anonymous (a.k.a. Joe Klein). A discussion of the book, free and open to the public, will be held prior to the performance on Thursday, March 6.

Deep Dish is located in Chapel Hill's University Mall, on Estes Drive and US 15-501. Thursday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There will also be a special Wednesday show at 7:30 p.m. on March 5.

For reservations and information, call (919) 968-1515 or visit the company's box office in University Mall Wednesday - Saturday from 3-6 p.m. Tickets for all performances are $16, $14 for seniors, and $12 for students. Thursday, February 21 is "Cheap Dish Night," when all tickets will be $7; no advance reservations will be taken for that performance.

Deep Dish will present a special staged reading of The Ice-Breaker, a new play by David Rambo co-produced with PlayMakers Rep, March 27-30. The final production of Deep Dish’s season is The Clean House, which will run from May 1- 24, 2008. Tickets are available for purchase in advance.

For more information, call (919) 968-1515.