IM Press Release

Infantry Monologues, Press Release

meat & potato theatre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For information contact:
Marynell Hinton, General Manager
Phone: 801-560-8381
Website: www.meatandpotato.org

MEAT & POTATO THEATRE PRESENTS INFANTRY MONOLOGUES

Salt Lake City’s newest theatre company takes an insightful and hard-hitting look at the role of personal responsibility in a world where abuse of power in the name of “national security” affects the lives of all Americans whether we realize it or not. Artistic Director TOBIN ATKINSON (co-founder of PlanB Theatre Company), who most recently directed Dark Play (or Stories for Boys) for Salt Lake Acting Company, directs and stars in this regional premier.

Consisting of three one-acts, Infantry Monologues offers three powerful points of view from three ordinary Americans compelled by extraordinary circumstances to make life or death choices.

Coyoteway: In a lonely Canadian police station, a bloodied man faces hard questions as he defends his own extreme acts of violence. In doing so, he explores the daunting question of whether we must become the enemy in order to defeat the enemy.

Use of Force: A female Army medic stationed in Iraq is confronted with the inappropriate use of force. Issues of race, gender, and accountability come to a dramatic head when she must decide whether or not to risk everything to protect the life and reputation of a fallen comrade.

2CC: The American government has once again done the unthinkable; it has scapegoated and interned its own citizens. As the conflict escalates between “real Americans” and those deemed unpatriotic, one man faces a crisis of faith that challenges his core beliefs about what it means to be free.

THE CAST

Tobin Atkinson (Coyoteway)
Writer, director, and featured performer Tobin Atkinson served as a rifleman with the 1-16 Infantry Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas, beginning in 2001. His term of service included tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. It was during this time that Atkinson conceived and began developing what would later become Infantry Monologues.

Mr. Atkinson directed and co-founded Plan-B Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1991. During his tenure there, Plan-B premiered 10 of Tobin’s original plays, including both the critically acclaimed Place in the Sky (2000) and Alienation Effekt (1997). Mr. Atkinson has studied extensively, earning both a B.S. in Theatre Arts (1989, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT) and an M.F.A. in Directing (1995, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT).

Deena Marie Manzanares (Use of Force)
Deena Marie Manzanares is a Salt Lake City-based actress who works professionally in theatre, film, and print. She is a graduate of NYC's Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School (founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy). Her training also includes voice through the renowned Juilliard (Joyce McLean) and NYU's musical theatre program CAP21.

For the last year, Ms Manzanares has also been working as a partner with Youtube where she runs her own sketch comedy site. She acts in, writes, directs, and edits parodies – www.youtube.com/BeanerLaRue

Jay Perry (2CC)
Jay Perry most recently appeared in Salt Lake Acting Company’s Dark Play (or Stories for Boys). He has also appeared in Plan-B's The Alienation Effekt and the world premiere of Facing East. A native of Salt Lake City and graduate of the University of Utah's Actor Training Program, he also trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse.

Mr. Perry's regional credits include The Taming of the Shrew and The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) for Salt Lake Shakespeare; A Steetcar Named Desire for Pioneer Theatre Company; The Seagull at The Rose Wagner; A Thousand Clowns at the Grand Theatre; and Tragedy: A Tragedy, SLAM, and two installments of Radio Hour for Plan-B Theatre Company. Film/television: The Three Foleys for Weird Chief Pictures, Red Light for Spy-Hop Productions, The Right Temptation for HBO and, most recently, Peculiarities for Cue Media/Z-Axis Films and the 2007 season ad campaign for Ballet West.

INFORMATION:

Cast: Tobin Atkinson, Deanna Marie Manzanares, Jay Perry

Director & Designers:
Tobin Atkinson (Director/Playwright)
Cory Thorell (Production Designer)
Kevin Albert (Costume Designer)
Heather Myers (Stage Manager)

Dates: May 21 – 31, 2009

Performance times: Thursday – Sunday Evenings: 8:00 PM
Sunday Matinees: 2:00 PM

Location: The Studio Theatre at the Rose
The Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
138 W Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Directions: www.finearts.slco.org/facilities/rose/rose.html

For ticket information contact: ArtTix at 801-355-ARTS (2787) or online at www.arttix.org

Run time: approx 115 minutes with two 5-minute intermissions

For Mature Audiences: Recommended for ages 17 and up. No babes-in-arms. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age.

© 2009 Meat & Potato Theatre