Director's Bio
Press Release

Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens

adapted by Neil Bartlett

directed by Lucy Maycock

Studio 116, James C. Olson PAC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         MEDIA CONTACT:          Ellen McDonald

                                                                              816.444.0052 OR 816.213.4355                                                                                       ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com

                                                                              Tracey Mershon

                                                                              816.478-6299
 

                                                                 FOR TICKETS:       816.235.6222

UMKC Theatre Presents “Great Expectations”

Charles Dickens’ Gothic Mystery Thriller with Cast of Unforgettable Characters

KANSAS CITY, MO (January 22, 2009) – UMKC Theatre will explore themes of childhood terrors and hopes as well as adult dreams and regrets in Charles Dickens’s masterpiece “Great Expectations”, adapted by Neil Bartlett. Directed by Lucy Maycock, this gothic mystery thriller runs Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 and Feb. 10 to 15 and Feb.19 to 22 at Studio 116 in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center. 

 “This is a coming-of-age story that traces one man’s escape from a violent and bewildered childhood,” said Maycock. “It invites us all to examine our ‘expectations’ of life – the aspirations that make us human, make us capable of noble acts but also can make us deeply miserable.”

First published as a weekly serial between 1860 and 1861, “Great Expectations” was Charles Dickens’s thirteenth novel and remains one of his most popular titles today. In this semi-autobiographical plot, Dickens traces the development of Philip Pirrip, more commonly known as Pip, from an innocent, unsophisticated orphan to a young man with great expectations in the cosmopolitan and oftentimes morally bankrupt streets of London.

Dina Kirschenbaum, a first-year M.F.A. acting candidate, plays Young Pip. Past credits include Cleareta in “The Comedy of Asses”, Witch in “Macbeth”, Tzetiel in “Fiddler on the Roof”, Wife of Bath in “Canterbury Tales” and Sister James in “Doubt”.

Nick Gehlfuss, a second-year M.F.A. actor at UMKC, plays Pip. His past portrayals include Owen in “Translations”, the Man/Tom in “Five By Tenn (+one)” and Monsieur Loyal/The Officer in “Tartuffe”.

Rachel Hirshorn, a second-year actress in the M.F.A. program at UMKC, plays Miss Havisham. Before moving to Kansas City, she worked professionally in theatre, radio, and various comedy improv venues in New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.  Some of Rachel’s prior credits include “Five by Tenn (+one)”, “The Heidi Chronicles” and “The Cure at Troy”.

Kate Endsley, a first-year M.F.A. candidate, plays Estella. Past credits include Anita in “West Side Story”, Cecily in “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” and Lonnie in the original production of “Stripped, Bear”.

Lucy Maycock is a director, actress, teacher and writer. After studying at Oxford University, she was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduating, she worked as an ac­tress on stage and in T.V. in the U.K. In 1990, she assisted Honorary RSC director, Barry Kyle, in the formation of Swine Palace Productions - a new Equity theatre for Louisiana. Lucy wrote several original adaptations for the company including “A Confederacy of Dunces” and “All The King’s Men” as well as directed and acted in a number of productions. She currently lives and works in Oxford, England, where she has helped found and develop a new award-winning performing space: The North Wall. Recent directing credits include “Mr. Vertigo”, “The White Darkness”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Macbeth” and “Good”.

“Great Expectations” is the fifth of six graduate productions in the UMKC Theatre program’s 2008-2009 Season, which kicked off in mid-September with “The Heidi Chronicles.”

Single tickets are adults, $15; seniors, $10; students, $6; and groups of 10 or more, $5 each. Tickets are available through the Central Ticket Office at 816.235.6222.

“Great Expectations” Performance Dates: 

UMKC Theatre has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top graduate theatre training programs in the country. The program trains a select group of highly talented actors, designers, stage managers and dramaturgs for careers in the performing arts. Graduates from the UMKC program are invited to the most prestigious New York competitions and auditions to exhibit their work and secure positions with national and international performing companies. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA).

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.  UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a three-part mission: visual and performing arts, health sciences, and urban engagement. UMKC has been designated as Missouri’s Campus for the Arts.

More information is available online at www.umkc.edu/theatre/.

For interviews and press passes to performances, contact Ellen McDonald, 816.444.0052 or ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com.

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Director's Bio

Lucy Maycock is a teacher, writer, actress and director. After studying at Oxford University, she trained as an actress at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She has worked as an actress in theatre and in television. In 1991, she co-founded Swine Palace - Louisiana's professional theatre company - with Artistic Director, Barry Kyle where she worked as a director, actress and dramaturg. Lucy has written a number of adaptations for the stage including 'A Confederacy of Dunces', 'All The King's Men', 'Gumbo Ya-Ya', 'Mr Vertigo' and 'The White Darkness'  She recently directed 'Great Expectations' for The North Wall - Oxford's newest performing arts centre.