Monthly Archives: April 2015

GILES DAVIES, ANNIE FITZPATRICK AND MICHAEL G. BATH STAR IN ARIEL DORFMAN’S “DEATH AND THE MAIDEN”

Annie Fitzpatrick, Michael G. Bath & Giles Davies,

CINCINNATI (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – At the Aronoff Center, on select dates from April 15th through May 2nd, Michael G. Bath, Giles Davies, and Annie Fitzpatrick star in DEATH AND THE MAIDEN by Ariel Dorfman.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN is an award-winning moral thriller exploring the intricacies of memory and madness, the aftermath of violence, and the uncertainties of truth and justice. A stranger arrives at the home of a woman who was once the prisoner of a cruel dictatorship in a nameless Latin American country. Is the visitor who he claims to be — or is he the captor who raped and tortured her on behalf of the regime many years before? Is this finally an opportunity for her to confront the past? To exact revenge? To forgive? Or will her past trauma drive her to prolong the cycle of terror?

The stellar cast includes three of the finest professional actors who perform in the Cincinnati area. All three performers are members of Actors’ Equity Association.

Annie Fitzpatrick portrays Paulina in DEATH AND THE MAIDEN. She has performed in over 50 productions at The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, most recently in “Hands on a Hardbody” and “Good People.” At Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, she has appeared in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” and at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company she has appeared in “Little Women,” “A Man for All Seasons,” and “Blithe Spirit.” At The Know Theatre, she appeared in “Pluto” and “Collapse.” Her TV and film credits include Army Wives A&E’s Those Who Kill, Little Accidents, Fun Size, Milk Money, to be, and Broken Hearts.

Giles Davies portrays Roberto, the medical doctor whom Paulina claims to recognize as the man who held her prisoner and tortured her many years before. Giles currently resides in Tampa, Florida, but makes an annual pilgrimage to Cincinnati, having worked with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (among others) for 16 years. He was last seen (in Cincinnati) with CSC’s production of Henry IV 1 & 2 and The Two Noble Kinsmen. His performance of the role of Roberto in a prior Tampa production of DEATH AND THE MAIDEN inspired the creative team at Diogenes to produce the play here in Cincinnati.

Gerardo, Paulina’s husband, is portrayed by Michael G. Bath. He recently appeared as Ian Smithson in “The Other Place” and as Frank Nugent in “Hands on a Hardbody” (both at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati). His numerous credits include Dr. Chumley in “Harvey” (Carnegie), Joseph in “The Irish Curse” (Clifton Performance Theater), and Francis Nurse in “The Crucible” (Xavier University with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company). Audiences have also seen him as Mervyn in “A Behanding in Spokane” (Clifton Performance Theatre), and as Roy Cohn in “Angels in America Parts One & Two” (Know Theatre), among other roles.

The production is directed by newcomer Lindsey Augusta Mercer, who serves as Resident Assistant Director at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Brian Isaac Phillips, the Producing Artistic Director of Cincinnati Shakespeare, is an Artistic Consultant to the production.

“DEATH AND THE MAIDEN is an exceptionally fine script by Ariel Dorfman, and we are very pleased to have an exceptionally fine cast to bring it to life here in Cincinnati,” said Jeff Landen, on behalf of the producers. “The resulting performance is both entertaining and thought-provoking – the kind of theatre that is fascinating to attend, and likely to spark vigorous discussion on the way home.”

The sound and projections design for the show is by Doug Borntrager, and the lighting designer is Richard Riley Noble.

Director Lindsey Mercer describes Dorfman’s piece as “a challenging, but brilliant play which forces us to address the frightening and timeless reality of politics and morality. Can we react to violent crimes in a non-violent way? Can the path toward justice and healing coincide with peace?”

The show opens in the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center on April 15, with additional performances on April 17, 18, 29, and 30, and May 1 and 2. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

“Death and the Maiden” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

Content advisory: The play contains adult language and themes of sexual violence.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Aronoff Center box office at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org, or by phone at (513) 621-2787 [ARTS].

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About Diogenes: Diogenes Theatre Company is an Ohio nonprofit corporation. Diogenes produces theatrical works showcasing the talents of some of the best theatre professionals in the Greater Cincinnati area.