INTERACT'S 20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON STRIKES WITH AWARD WINNING NEW COMEDY in Philadelphia

INTERACT'S 20^th ANNIVERSARY SEASON STRIKES
WITH AWARD WINNING NEW COMEDY

InterAct Theatre Company and National New Play Network World Present the World Premiere of
BLACK GOLD
Written by Seth Rozin

January 25 – February 24, 2008

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Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 7:00 p.m., marks Opening Night of an award-winning new comedy making its World Premiere in InterAct Theatre Company's continuing 20^th Anniversary Season. Written by Philadelphia playwright Seth Rozin and winner of the 2007 Smith Prize, BLACK GOLD is a funny, futuristic satire of race, class and greed in a country so dependent on foreign oil that it will go to any lengths to keep the cheap crude flowing. InterAct's production of BLACK GOLD will be the first of three productions as part of the National New Play Network's Continued Life of New Plays Fund, through which the play will be produced in two subsequent "rolling" World Premiere productions at Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis, IN) and PROP Thtr Group (Chicago, IL).

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ABOUT THE PLAY
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Written in a unique theatrical style, wherein 6 actors play over 100 characters creating an epic tale that chronicles actions all around the globe, BLACK GOLD is a hilarious, fast-paced, vaudevillian take on what happens when Curtis Walker, a man living in Detroit's inner-city, tries to find a sure-fire way to earn the cash he needs to send his only son to college. His answer? He purchases an oil rig on eBay, drills in his back yard, taps into one of America's largest oil reserves, and turns world politics on its head.

BLACK GOLD tackles a number of headline-grabbing issues resulting from America's dependence on foreign oil. As America's lower classes and inner cities remain largely ignored by the Federal government and the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, BLACK GOLD exposes the interconnectedness of political policies on oil, the economy, the environment and foreign relations, and their spill-over into domestic matters, such as class and race. While America's poor rarely have a direct impact on lives in the Middle East, when one inner-city neighborhood becomes one of the wealthiest and most powerful entities overnight, it's only a matter of time before the government takes notice… and takes over! Moving at a rapid-fire rate, BLACK GOLD shows how one ordinary man's desire to improve his life sets off a spiral of greed that consumes his neighborhood, city, state, country, and eventually, the world.

To read an excerpt of BLACK GOLD, visit http://www.interacttheatre.org/blackgoldexcerpt.htm.

When asked what inspired him to write BLACK GOLD, playwright Seth Rozin says, "The idea for BLACK GOLD came to me in the wake of hurricane Katrina, when the federal government's response to the situation seemed to me to be appallingly slow and inept. I wondered how the same government might respond if, instead of being devastated by a natural disaster, the same region was discovered to be sitting on an untapped reservoir of riches. …then, of course, the question is 'will this underserved community be able to reap the rewards from this discovery?'"

Regarding the sweeping theatrical style he adopted for BLACK GOLD, Rozin was inspired by Israel Horovitz's LEBENSRAUM, the critically-acclaimed play Rozin directed in a multiple-Barrymore Award-winning production during InterAct's 1998/1999 season. Rozin explains, "I found LEBENSRAUM so refreshingly theatrical and inventive in its storytelling, with three actor/narrators … bouncing in and out of characters with minimal props and costumes. A big part of the entertainment value … is seeing how a small cast can bring to life such an epic story. And how such a serious subject can be handled with so unique a brand of absurd and theatrical humor. … I learned directing LEBENSRAUM, concise and comedic narration can help a play's action move forward at a wonderfully frenetic pace. The biggest challenge, by far, is keeping the play's momentum up as it unfolds from its absurd beginning to its outrageous conclusion."

To read an in-depth interview with playwright Seth Rozin, visit http://www.interacttheatre.org/talkingwithsethrozin.htm.


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DATES & TICKETS
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BLACK GOLD runs for 27 performances, January 25 – February 24, 2008, with preview performances January 25 - 29 and Opening Night on Wednesday, January 30. Performances during InterAct Theatre Company's 2007/2008 Season are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. All performances are held on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA.

3-Show subscriptions for InterAct's 20th Anniversary Season are available ranging from $41.00 to $73.00. Subscription information is available by calling 215-568-8079; by dropping by InterAct's box office at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA; or by visiting InterAct's website at www.InterActTheatre.org.

Tickets for individual performances, which are on sale now, are $15.00 for preview performances; $23.00 for performances Tuesdays through Thursdays; and $27.00 for performances Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. InterAct offers discounts for senior citizens and full-time students (with valid I.D.). Group rates are available, and students with proper I.D. may purchase Rush Tickets for $10.00 five minutes before curtain (based on availability). All performances take place at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Reservations or more information can be obtained by calling 215-568-8079, by dropping by the InterAct Theatre Company box office at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, or by visiting InterAct Theatre Company's website at www.InterActTheatre.org.

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ABOUT THE ISSUES
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During the run of BLACK GOLD, InterAct will host several post-performance talk-backs to encourage further discussion on the issues raised. Speaker Sundays, a series featuring invited scholars, community leaders and artists, are scheduled to follow matinee performances on Sunday, February 3, 10 and 17. Sponsored by the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Deborah Harrold, Professor of Political Science at Bryn Mawr College, will be the guest speaker on Sunday, February 3. On Sunday, February 17, the guest will Dr. Salman Akhtar, Professor of Psychiatry at Jefferson University. Coffee Conversations, an informal discussion with the production's artists and designers, sponsored by Whole Foods, are scheduled to follow performances on Tuesday, February 5, Wednesday, February 6, Tuesday, February 12 and Wednesday, February 13. For a complete schedule of talk-back speakers, visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

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BLACK GOLD & THE NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK

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BLACK GOLD is the winner of National New Play Network's 2007 Smith Prize, an annual award presented to the best new play focusing on American politics. Smith Prize winners are selected for their excellence in writing and their success in examining America's civic and democratic institutions, illuminating issues that are best dealt with on a national or global level, and responding to the questions: Who are Americans as a people? What are we becoming? What are our global responsibilities?

Additionally, BLACK GOLD will also be featured as part of National New Play Network (NNPN)'s Continued Life of New Plays Fund, a cooperative venture designed to insure that new plays will see future productions beyond the initial world premiere. Partnerships of 3 theatres receive funds in support of multiple productions of the same new play. Each theatre produces its own independent "rolling world premiere" production, which guarantees an opportunity for the play to grow and flourish through contact with a wider national audience. As part of the program, InterAct's premiere of BLACK GOLD will be followed by productions at Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis, IN), April 10 - May 4, 2008, and PROP Thtr Group (Chicago, IL), June/July 2008.

Founded in 1998 with InterAct as one of its original members, NNPN is an alliance of twenty not-for-profit professional theatres across the United States that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays for the American theatre. For more information about the National New Play Network visit www.nnpn.org.

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RELEVANT BIOGRAPHIES
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Seth Rozin (Playwright & Director) is the recipient of two playwriting fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts as well as a new play commission from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. His plays include MEN OF STONE (produced by Theater Catalyst in 2001, nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play, published by Playscripts, Inc.), MISSING LINK (produced by InterAct Theatre Company in 2002, nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play), REINVENTING EDEN (showcased by the National New Play Network in 2005, produced by InterAct in 2006), THE SPACE BETWEEN US (readings at Abingdon Theatre in New York and InterAct), and BLACK GOLD (showcased by the National New Play Network in 2006, additional production scheduled at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis in 2008). He has also written the book and lyrics for a new musical entitled GONE WITH THE WIND: THE TRUE-LIFE STORY OF JOSEPH PUJOL, about the rise and fall of the world's greatest farter. Seth is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of InterAct Theatre Company in Philadelphia, where he has directed over 40 productions, including Israel Horovitz's LEBENSRAUM (winner of Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, and Outstanding Ensemble), and Jason Sherman's IT'S ALL TRUE (nominated for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production). He has twice been named "Best Director" by the Philadelphia Inquirer (for the world premiere of Thomas Gibbons' 6221 in 1993 and for LEBENSRAUM in 1999). Seth has also directed for the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, Blue Heron Theatre and the 45th Street Theatre in New York, as well as Act II Playhouse, Venture Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and the University of Pennsylvania. He served as Chair of the National New Play Network from 2002-2006.

Clark Jackson (Actor 1) was most recently nominated for a Best Actor IRNE Award for his performance in PERMANENT COLLECTION at New Rep Theatre in Boston, and was awarded a Dean Goodman Choice Award for Outstanding Principal Performance for his role in YELLOWMAN at Berkeley Rep Theatre. Clark also won a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Lee Blessing's COBB, performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City and produced by Kevin Spacey. Other NYC stage credits: LE MENAGE (La MaMa E.T.C.), JAMAICA AVENUE (Soho Repertory Theatre/NYC Fringe Festival), UNCLE TOM'S CABIN (Mint Theatre) and CUBA AND THE NIGHT (Theatre for the New City). Regional credits: LOBBY HERO (Studio Theatre), YELLOWMAN (Pittsburgh Public Theatre), FABULATION and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (People's Light & Theatre Co.), WAITING FOR TADASHI (George Street Playhouse), THE TEMPEST (Hamptons Shakespeare Festival) and TRAVESTIES (Luna Stage). Film credits: The Arrangement, Rapmatics. TV credits: "Honky Sausages," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Wonderland" and "Guiding Light.' Clark is a graduate of Stanford University and Yale School of Drama. He was born and raised in Atlanta and lives in Brooklyn.

Delanté G. Keys (Actor 2) makes his InterAct debut with BLACK GOLD. Delanté is a recent graduate of Arcadia University's B.F.A. Acting Program. Since graduation, he has appeared in Little Bunny Voodoo's LATE NIGHT AT THE TIKI BAR at last year's Fringe Festival, LIVING NEWS at the National Constitution Center, and Curio Theatre Company's THE NUTCRACKER. He also assistant stage-managed Brat Productions' THE BALD SOPRANO.

Kaci M. Fannin (Actor 3) marks her InterAct debut with BLACK GOLD. Kaci's previous theatre credits include work at Lee Strausberg Theatre (LA), as well as for several New York companies, including Cherry Lane Theatre; Henry Street Settlement; Producer's Club; The Billie Holiday Theatre, to name a few. Additionally, Kaci has worked for The Kitchen Theatre (Ithaca, NY) and The Fulton Opera House (Lancaster, PA). Kaci's film credits include a featured role in The Associate (Disney), a leading role in the PBS production of My Own Television (MOTV), co-starred in Soulmates, a featured role in God's Forgotten House, and co-starred in Gestation. For television, Kaci appeared on "Hudson Street" (ABC) and had a reoccurring role in "On Common Ground" (Pilot). Kaci is also an independent filmmaker, currently Associate Producing on the documentary Drama Mamas. She can also be heard as the voice for Veritas' national radio and television campaign against Type II Diabetes.

Sean Christopher Lewis (Actor 4) has appeared Off Broadway in THE RIVALS and MERCHANT OF VENICE (Pearl Theatre Company), in KLUB KA (La Mama ETC) and MACBETH (Chashama). His regional credits include the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh City Theatre, Riverside Theatre, the National Theater, Capital Rep, Saratoga Shakespeare, Shadow Lawn Stage, Iowa Summer Rep, internationally with the Ashtar Theatre of Palestine and more. His solo show I WILL MAKE YOU ORPHANS has toured the US and Canada performing at the Uno Festival of Solo Performance, Available Light 01 Festival, Hyde Park Theatre (Austin, TX), Center for Independent Artists (Minneapolis), Galapagos Art Space (NYC), TIXE Arts Center (NYC), the National Performance Network and more. He is a company member of NJ Rep, Playwright in Residence at InterAct Theatre Company and a founding member of Working Group.

Maureen Torsney-Weir (Actor 5) returns to InterAct where she previously appeared in MISSING LINK, AUNT DAN AND LEMON and DRINK ME. Maureen was also involved with the Showcase of New Plays at InterAct as actor and director. She has been involved extensively as actor and director of new plays with Fairchester Playwrights, the American Folk Theatre, The New York Theatre Workshop, and the Lehman Theatre in the New York area. Working in Philadelphia, Maureen's favorite roles include Dora in EQUUS with MumPuppettheatre and Therese in THE BAKER'S WIFE at the Arden. Working in New York, she was noted for such roles as Grace in FAITH HEALER, and Ouisa in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, among many others. Maureen won the Barrymore Award for Best Supporting Actress in ANGELS IN AMERICA at Villanova University.

Tim Moyer (Actor 6) marks his 13th production at InterAct with BLACK GOLD. Most recently, he appeared in last season's World Premiere production of Thomas Gibbons' A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS. A few of Tim's previous shows with InterAct include REINVENTING EDEN, BLUE/ORANGE (also at Act II Playhouse), BLACK RUSSIAN, BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE, as Richard Nixon in NIXON'S NIXON (also at Act II), as Paul Barrow in the Barrymore Award-winning production of PERMANENT COLLECTION, and as director InterAct's production of MAN MEASURES MAN. Tim also appeared in an episode of "Hack," worked on the film The Village, and appeared in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY at the Walnut Street Theatre.

The design team for BLACK GOLD includes Set Design by Marka Suber, Costume Design by Karen Ledger, Lighting Design by Peter Whinnery, Properties Design by Richard Murray, and Sound Design by Nick Rye. Peter Bonilla will serve as Assistant Director and Dramaturg, Andy Campbell will serve as Technical Director and Michele Traub will Stage Manage the production.

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CONTINUING THE 2007/2008 SEASON

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InterAct continues its 20th season in April 2008, with the Philadelphia Premiere of the world-wide smash hit drama FROZEN, by Bryony Lavery. A critical hit during its productions in London's West End and nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play, on Broadway, FROZEN is the gripping psychological journey of three people whose lives are chillingly connected. Nancy, whose ten year-old daughter, Rhona, went missing 20 years ago, continues the daily balance between keeping hope alive and accepting the unthinkable. Ralph, convicted of Rhona's murder, struggles with loneliness, unnatural urges and the possibility of remorse. Agnetha, a psychologist studying serial killers, attempts to understand the criminal mind, its motivations and total absence of personal responsibility. At once angry and compassionate, this eloquent drama ponders several complex and searing questions: What causes someone to commit horrific acts? Can understanding lead to absolution? Is it even possible to forgive that which seems unforgivable? A dark and hypnotic journey of rage and redemption, FROZEN will be directed by Whit MacLaughlin and will run April 4 – May 4, 2008.

The season concludes with the World Premiere production of HOUSE, DIVIDED, written by Philadelphia playwright Larry Loebell. Commissioned through a grant from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, HOUSE, DIVIDED follows the complex and volatile challenges facing a Jewish American family broken apart over religion, politics and the state of Israel. The Goldstein family of Philadelphia is torn apart when older brother Louis decides to embrace Jewish orthodoxy and move to Israel during the height of the Vietnam war. Betrayed and bewildered, Louis' younger brother Douglas builds a life around peace activism. Well over 20 years later, Louis is a retired officer of the Israeli army and Douglas is a Senior Director with Amnesty International. Divided by deep familial wounds and opposing religious and political beliefs, the two brothers are forced to re-engage one another when their sons, Oren and Paul, make surprising life decisions of their own. HOUSE, DIVIDED is a challenging and timely examination of family, faith and politics, and how the desire to distance ourselves from our past may only bring it closer to home in the future. Directed by Seth Rozin, HOUSE, DIVIDED begins May 23 and runs through June 22, 2008.

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ABOUT INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY

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Founded in 1988, InterAct is a theatre for today's world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. InterAct's aim is to educate, as well as entertain, its audiences, by producing world-class, thought-provoking productions, and by using theatre as a tool to foster positive social change. Through its artistic and educational programs, InterAct seeks to make a significant contribution to the cultural life of Philadelphia and to the American theatre.

In addition to the 4-play mainstage season, InterAct Theatre's major programming includes InterAction, an award-winning program of experiential workshops and residencies in area schools that utilize theatre as a tool to illuminate pressing social problems in the community; New Play Development, working closely with playwrights to develop plays that adhere to the company's mission; Writing Aloud, an award-winning series of Monday evening events in which short fiction by the region's best writers is read aloud by professional actors; and the Kaki Marshall Arts and Community Award, an annual fundraising event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the lively arts in Philadelphia.

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Due to the nature of live theatre, play selection, performance and casting are subject to change.

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