PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Misty McDowell
Marketing Manager, Capital Stage
mmcdowell@capstage.org | 916-822-3786
Capital Stage Presents the Sacramento Premiere
THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
Directed by Peter Mohrmann

Sacramento, CA – October 29, 2019 - Capital Stage presents the Sacramento Premiere of THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY. Co-founding member Peter Mohrmann will direct this next installment of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s Christmas at Pemberley series. The cast will feature returning Capital Stage actors Brittni Barger and Noah Thompson, and will feature debuts from Kate Morton, Stephanie McVay, Rob Salas, and Colin Sphar. Performances will run from December 4 through December 29, with a Press Opening on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 8:00 pm.
THE PLAY
THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon

Special Holiday Production
Sacramento Premiere

It’s Christmas at Pemberley again in a new companion piece to Gunderson & Melcon’s holiday hit MISS BENNET! THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY takes us downstairs where servants are bustling with the arrival of holiday guests. In the warmth of the Darcy kitchen, family secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested. A bright new holiday tale full of mirth, wit, and the power of giving back to others.

“…A holiday hit… It’s funny and fast-moving, with a ‘villain’ you may love to hate. (Move aside, Scrooge.)” TWIN CITIES PIONEER PRESS
 
“…An intelligent pleasure to those of us starved for non-traditional holiday fare.” BROADWAY WORLD
THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Lauren M. Gunderson was the most produced playwright in America of 2017, 2019, and the second-most in 2018, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award, the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, she is also a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Company. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at companies across the US including South Cost Rep EMILIE, SILENT SKY), The Kennedy Center (THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL AND HER DOG!), Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The O’Neill, The Denver Center, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre, Synchronicity, Berkeley Rep, Shotgun Players, TheatreWorks, Crowded Fire and more. She co-authored MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY with Margot Melcon, which was one of the most produced plays in America in 2017. Her work is published at Playscripts ( I AND YOU, EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR, THE TAMING, AND TOIL AND TROUBLE ), Dramatists ( THE REVOLUTIONISTS, THE BOOK OF WILL, SILENT SKY, BAUER, MISS BENNET ) and Samuel French (EMILIE). Her picture book Dr Wonderful: Blast Off to the Moon was released from Two Lions / Amazon in May 2017. LaurenGunderson.com and @LalaTellsAStory

Margot Melcon is the literary manager and dramaturg at Marin Theatre Company where she produces the New Works Reading Series and administers two annual new play prize competitions in addition to acting as production dramaturg on all shows. She also freelances for American Theatre magazine.
THE DIRECTOR
Peter is a co-founder, board member and associate artist with Capital Stage where he has directed MISS BENNET, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, THE TOTALITARIANS, MAPLE AND VINE, THE NORTH PLAN, IN THE NEXT ROOM, FICTION, OR, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, THREE DAYS OF RAIN, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, and JACK AND JILL. Peter has appeared at Capital Stage in STUPID F##KING BIRD, IDEATION, HEDDA GABLER, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, AMERICAN BUFFALO, THE TYPOGRAPHER’S DREAM, HUMBLE BOY and BOY GETS GIRL. Regionally he has performed with Sacramento Theatre Company, the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, Foothill Theatre Company, City Theatre, Synergy Stage, River Stage and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Peter received his MFA in acting from the Theatre School/DePaul University, and is an adjunct professor in the theatre arts and film departments at Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
THE PRODUCTION
THE WICKHAMS will be directed by Capital Stage Co-Founding Member Peter Mohrmann (MISS BENNET, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, THE TOTALITARIANS, MAPLE AND VINE, THE NORTH PLAN, IN THE NEXT ROOM, FICTION, OR, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, THREE DAYS OF RAIN, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, and JACK AND JILL). The production will feature Brittni Barger (MISS BENNET, STUPID F##KING BIRD, TRIBES, A DOLL’S HOUSE), Noah Thompson (BAD JEWS), apprentice alumna Kate Morton (Main Stage Debut), Stephanie McVay (Capital Stage debut), Colin Spahr (Capital Stage debut), and Rob Salas (Capital Stage debut). The production design team will include Eric Broadwater (Scenic design), Timothy McNamara (Lighting design), Gail Russell (Costume design), Ed Lee (Sound design), Christa Kinch (Properties design), and Samantha McLean Haas (Scenic Charge Artist).

Performances for THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY will begin with three previews on Wednesday, Dec. 4 & Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:00 pm, and Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:00 pm. The production will open Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 pm. Performances will continue through Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. Showtimes will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
 
Regular ticket prices range from $25-47. Discount tickets are available as follows: Student Rush tickets are $10 with valid student ID in person within 1 hour of performance (NEW); Senior tickets are $5 off regular priced tickets; Military personnel tickets are $10 off regular priced tickets with valid ID; and Group Rate tickets are $5 off each for parties of 12 or more. Tickets are currently available at the Capital Stage Box Office, by phone at 916-995-5464, or online at capstage.org.
FACT SHEET
WHAT : Capital Stage presents THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon Directed by Peter Mohrmann

WHERE : Capital Stage, 2215 J Street, Sacramento CA 95816

WHEN : December 4 – December 29, 2019

Preview Nights: Dec. 4 & 5 at 7:00 pm, and Dec. 6 at 8:00 pm, $25 tickets

Opening Night: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 pm, $44-49 tickets


Regular Performances:
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, tickets $32-37 ( NEW PERFORMANCE TIME )
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, tickets $32-37
Thursdays at 7:00 pm, tickets $37-42
Fridays at 8:00 pm, tickets $37-42
Saturdays at 2:00 pm, tickets $35-40
Saturdays at 8:00 pm, tickets $39-44
Sundays at 2:00 pm, tickets $37-42


BOX OFFICE:
Phone: 916-995-5464
Online: capstage.org
Location: 2215 J Street, Sacramento CA 95816


WHO:
Playwright: Lauren Gunderson & Margo Melcon
Director: Peter Mohrmann
Cast: Kate Morton, Noah Thompson, Brittni Barger*,
Stephanie McVay*, Colin Spahr*, Rob Salas
Scenic Design: Eric Broadwater
Lighting Design: Timothy McNamara
Costume Design: Gail Russell
Sound Design: Ed Lee
Properties Design: Christa Kinch
Scenic Charge Artist: Samantha McLean Haas
Stage Manager: Wesley Apfel *


*Member Actors' Equity Association