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Discover what lurks in the woods in

THE MAN-BEAST
By Joseph Zettelmaier

October 19 – November 10

There’s a wolf at the door.

It’s 1767, and for three years, a mysterious, bloodthirsty creature has terrorized the countryside in the French province of Gévaudan. 

Late at night, a hunter stumbles into an isolated cabin after a violent encounter with the fabled Beast. Bleeding and desperate, he implores the cabin’s mistress to help. 

But inside, he finds no ministering angel; and she finds no humble patient at her door.

Based on the 18th Century legend of the Beast of Gévaudan, The Man-Beast is a taut and seductive new drama by Know Theatre favorite Joseph Zettelmaier (author of 2015’s All Childish Things and 2016’s Pulp).

With suspense, sharp-tongued dialogue, and exquisite theatrical tension, The Man-Beast is the perfect next step in our season-long exploration of Fear Itself – asking us what makes someone a beast, and tracing the fine line between hunter and hunted.

Director Brant Russell, professor of drama at UC CCM, has put together the perfect cast to embody this ancient tale of desire, obsession, and horror:

Jim Hopkins joins us in his Know Theatre MainStage debut as notorious werewolf hunter Jean Chastel. A beloved mainstay onstage at Ensemble Theatre and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Jim also wrote and starred in White Privilege at the 2017 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Joining him as the fierce, reclusive taxidermist (and possible witch), Virginie Allard, is the one and only Jen Joplin. Most recently seen at Ensemble Theatre in The Humans and at Dayton’s Human Race Theatre in Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End, Jen also brought Maggie Lou Rader’s vision of Mary Shelley to life as director of Know’s most recent SecondStage production, Mary’s Monster.

The Man-Beast premiered at Chicago’s First Folio Theatre in 2017 to critical acclaim, and Know is proud to have the second production of this thrilling Gothic drama.

As to why The Man-Beast just had to be a part of Know’s  21st Season, Associate Artistic Director Tamara Winters has this to say:

The Beast of Gévaudan endures as a legend because it is rooted in something fundamentally human: the fear of unknown dangers, and the lengths we will go to ensure our illusion of security. The only difference today is how quickly panic can spread. 

The Man-Beast deftly explores all of this, while sweeping you into a fascinating tale of the power of legend and the seduction of greed. 

Throw in two of Cincinnati’s most fun actors to watch and you have the recipe for a fantastic night of theatre.

Though it’s part of Know’s MainStage season, The Man-Beast will unfold on our Underground stage. With set and lights by our own Producing Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford, props design by our new production manager Rebecca Armstrong, and costumes by Know’s intrepid resident costume designer Noelle Johnston, the Underground will be transformed into Virginie’s cabin, deep in the woods of the French countryside.

The intimate space of our Underground stage is perfect to amplify the tension of this intense and unexpected new play.

Adding to the atmosphere in the Underground will be an art gallery featuring works by Art Academy Cincinnati illustration students, featuring their own explorations of werewolves, beasts, and classic monsters of the horror genre. Curated by teacher and accomplished artist John David Back, this installation will be on display throughout the run of The Man-Beast.

Join us as we explore the dividing line between beast and human in The Man-Beast by Joseph Zettelmaier from October 19 – November 10 – only at Your Theatrical Playground. 

Cast

• Jim Hopkins* as Jean Castel
• Jen Joplin* as Virginie Allard
  *Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract.

Production Team

• Director – Brant Russell
• Scenic & Lighting Designer – Andrew J. Hungerford
• Prop Designer – Rebecca Armstrong
• Costume Designer – Noelle Johnston
• Sound Designer – Douglas Borntrager

Calendar Listing

Production:
The Man-Beast by Joseph Zettelmaier

When:
8:00 pm  October 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31; Nov 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10
3:00 pm  October 22, 29*, Nov 4
*A pre-show brunch is available on this date with purchase of $35 “Brunch + Show” tickets in advance. Deadline for brunch reservation is October 22. Brunch provided by Water Tower Fine Wines.

Where:
Know Theatre of Cincinnati. 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
In historic Over-the-Rhine.

Tickets:

• $25 regular price tickets
• $35 “Living Wage” tickets, supporting working artists in Cincinnati
• $15 Rush tickets at the door 10 minutes prior to curtain (when available)
• FREE walk-up tickets are available on Wednesdays^, as part of Know’s Welcome Experiment.
  Advance reservations to Welcome Experiment performances are $5.00.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting knowtheatre.com or calling 513.300.5669 (KNOW). 

The Welcome Experiment performances for The Man-Beast made possible by Taft, Stettinius, & Hollister LLP 

Season Design sponsorship provided by Travis McElroy. 

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible. 

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.  

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. 

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. 

 Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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