Bobby Jennings and Katrina Krasser
Gary Mutz, Katrina Krasser and Catherine Fox
Bobby Jennings
Samantha Heller and Carolyn Kraetsch
Catherine Fox, Bobby Jennings and Helen Means
Mellisa Crismon, Bobby Jennings and David Klein
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE                            June 23, 2009

PRESS CONTACT:   Kathy McCarty,  KATHYGPET@AOL.COM  


WEDDING NIGHTMARE SUBJECT OF NEW COMEDY BY KATHRYN G. MCCARTY PLAYING AUGUST 19-21 AT LESHER ARTS CENTER WITH WORKSHOP PERFORMANCES


           “I wanted to explore marriage and its meanings,” explains playwright Kathryn G. McCarty on why she penned her new comedy MAIDS & MATRONS, which will premiere in two different venues this Summer.    “Most certainly, I was influenced by Proposition 8.  Society’s ability to define the term ‘marriage’ has become increasingly difficult.”

           MAIDS & MATRONS, directed by Clay David, will run at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, August 19 – 21.   Prior to that, it will play in workshop performances July 9-11 at the Jean and John Knox Performing Arts Center at Contra Costa College.  

MAIDS & MATRONS, according to McCarty, is a nightmare come true for the bride when the groom is delayed because of a severe storm, the wedding planner has gone overboard with the guest list, the bouquet causes a severe allergic reaction and the bridal party finds themselves sharing a room with the deceased town matriarch.  

          “Kathy’s plays use comedy to explore sensitive political and social issues,” said David, who has teamed with McCarty on several other plays including RIVETS, WHEN WE DANCED and STRAIGHT LACED.    “She is the first person that I know that has created a piece of Theatre directly in response to Proposition 8.  As a gay man, I am thrilled that a woman who identifies herself as a ‘Christian Heteorsexual’ is exploring this topic in the theatre.”

       "The real problem with whether or not Marriage between same sex couples should be legal is that we aren't just talking about a Political issue, we are talking about a family matter," said McCarty.   "It’s tearing families apart.  Family members are paying the price of discrimination and false beliefs."

        Director David was enchanted when he heard McCarty's premise for the show. "It's a screwball comedy, slapstick at times, about a dysfunctional family's preparation for the biggest wedding of the season.  From start to finish, it's a catastrophe, but the family pull together to get past all obstacles.  It's the love and their faith that get them through all the problems,” he said.  But it is the final moments of the play that are the true test of the family's strength.”

        The workshop performance of MAIDS & MATRONS will run Thursday – Saturday, July 9-11 at 8 p.m. at Contra Costa College’s Jean and John Knox Performing Arts Center in San Pablo.  Tickets are $10 Students/Senior   $15 General and are available by calling: (510) 235-7800 x 4274.

MAIDS & MATRONS will then play at The Lesher Center of the Arts in Walnut Creek, August 19 – 21. Shows are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2:15 p.m..    For tickets to the LCA performance, call (925) 943-SHOW.



CALENDAR LISTINGS


WHAT:    MAIDS & MATRONS, a World Premiere Comedy about Marriage, written by Kathryn G. McCarty, directed by Clay David.

PLAY DESCRIPTION:    It’s a nightmare come true for the bride when the groom is delayed because of a severe storm, the wedding planner has gone overboard with the guest list, the bouquet causes a severe allergic reaction and the bridal party finds themselves sharing a room with the deceased town matriarch.   And that’s just the beginning…..

WHEN:  August 19 – 21,  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:15, Sunday at 2:15

WHERE: Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek  

FOR TICKETS CALL:   (925) 943-SHOW

WEBSITE:   Galateanplayers.com


MAIDS & MATRONS ACTORS:   Sue Beck (Clayton),  Laina Charles (Benicia), Mellisa Crismon (Concord) Catherine Fox (Walnut Creek),  Carolyn Kraetsch (Walnut Creek),  David Klein (Brentwood),  Katrina Krasser (Oakland),  Joe Hirsch (Oakland), Samantha Heller (Concord),  Bobby Jennings (Concord),  Candy Carter (Concord),  Helen Means (Alamo),  Gary Mutz (Martinez),  Randy Nott (Martinez),  Will Southard (Benicia),  Alison Owens (Oakland), Kiwi-Akhirah Waqia (Richmond)