MERRIMACK REP PRESENTS
THIS VERSE BUSINESS
STARRING EMMY AWARD-WINNER
GORDON CLAPP
October 20 – November 13, 2011
Press Night: Sunday October 23, 2011
Lowell, MA- An illuminating and entertaining portrait of the great American poet Robert Frost, This Verse Business, by A.M Dolan, directed by Gus Kaikkonen, at Merrimack Repertory Theater, October 20 – November 13, 2011. Told in Frost’s folksy yet penetrating style, this one-man play is full of poetry, wit and “promises to keep.” Tickets are on sale now and available online at MerrimackRep.org or by calling 978.654.4MRT.
This Verse Business features Tony nominated and Emmy Award-winning actor Gordon Clapp (Robert Frost) in his first appearance on Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s stage. His performance on NYPD Blue as Detective Greg Medavoy won Clapp a 1998 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He played instigator Dave Moss in the 2005 Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross. He has also been seen in guest roles on shows such as Damages, Deadwood, Cold Case, Without a Trace and HBO’s Taking Chance. His film appearances include Flags of Our Fathers, The Game Plan and The Grind.
Sharing the work of Robert Frost on stage has been a long-time goal of Gordon Clapp. “I grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire,” says Clapp. “When I went away to school in Connecticut I took Robert Frost with me and he brought me home. Over thirty years ago I promised myself to bring him back to life on stage. When I stumbled upon Andy Dolan’s wonderful script I knew the time had come. It will be particularly gratifying to perform the piece in Lowell, one town up river from Lawrence where Frost spent most of his boyhood. I look forward to working at Merrimack Rep. I’ve heard glowing reports from former company members and patrons alike. And I hope to meet many Frostaceans --- my affectionate name for those who knew or crossed paths with Frost at some point in their lives.”
The creative team features Gus Kaikkonen (Director and Scenic Designer), Rob Shearin (Scenic Assistant), Lee Viliesis (Costume Designer), John Ekert (Lighting Designer), andJason Weber (Sound Designer).
“I am thrilled that Merrimack Rep has chosen to produce my play this season,” says A.M. Dolan, who appeared in The Front Page at MRT in 2000. “I never expected to return to MRT as a playwright, but I'm more than delighted to leave the on-stage work this time to the incredibly talented Gordon Clapp. Not only does he conjure up Frost as the poet, but the wickedly witty platform performer as well. He's amazing.”
“When I first read Andy Dolan's This Verse Business, it jumped off the page” explains Director and Scenic Designer Gus Kaikkonen. “Andy captures Robert Frost's brilliance, wit and edge. Frost's wily New England sensibility is the perfect antidote to our current national malaise. Gordon Clapp is deservedly a much awarded, world-class actor, who grew up in northern New Hampshire idolizing Robert Frost. His nuanced performance is not only authentic but hilarious.”
A.M. Dolan is an actor and playwright living in Falmouth, MA with his wife Zoe Cardon, a senior scientist at the MBL Ecosystems Center. His plays are: Five Live Poets (2001), In Country Heaven (2004), and This Verse Business (2010), which received its world premiere last September at the Peterborough Players in New Hampshire. He has acted with the Old Globe Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre, Payomet Performing Arts Festival, New Rep, New Century Theatre, Stoneham Theatre and many more.
Merrimack Repertory Theater’s 2011-2012 season is sponsored by Lowell Cooperative Bank. This Verse Business is sponsored by Courier, with additional support from WGBH. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
CAST BIOS
GORDON CLAPP (Robert Frost) Merrimack Repertory Theatre: debut. Broadway: Glengarry Glen Ross. Off Broadway: Blood from a Stone with Ethan Hawke, The New Group. Regional: Measure for Measure, Peterborough Players. Television: 12 Seasons as Detective Greg Medavoy on NYPD Blue, Cheers, Night Court, CSI, Monk, Deadwood, Without a Trace, Damages. Film: Flags of Our Fathers, The Game Plan, Eight Men Out, Matewan. Awards: Emmy Award for NYPD Blue, Tony Award Nominee, Theatre World Award and Drama Desk Award for Glengarry Glen Ross. Note: Mr. Clapp would like to thank his son Billy and his love Elisabeth for their patience with his nomadic tendencies of late.
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS VERSE BUSINESS
Pay What You Can Night – October 20 at 7:30PM. Patrons may purchase tickets in cash at the Box Office between 4:30PM-7:30PM and name their ticket price. Following the performance, there will also be a Director’s Forum, where the director and designers field audience questions and describe how the play was staged. Lowell Night – October 22 at 8PM. Lowell residents may purchase tickets for $10 at the box office from 5PM-8PM. Proper ID required. Opening Night – October 23 at 7PM. Audience members are invited to join Merrimack Rep’s staff and cast after the show in raising a glass of champagne to celebrate the opening of the production. Cookie Matinee – October 26 at 2PM. Patrons enjoy complimentary cookies and coffee in the lobby before the show, courtesy of Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Post Show Forums – October 27, November 3 and November 10 at 7:30PM. Audiences can stay after the performance to learn the inside scoop and chat with the actors. Sponsored by Yellowbook.
TICKETS: Tickets to all productions in the 2011-2012 Season are on sale now. Tickets begin at $24. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at MerrimackRep.org or by calling the Box Office at 978-654-4MRT (4678). Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Box Office is located at 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Don’t miss a single show! Subscription packages are now on sale to Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2011-2012 Season. All subscriptions include exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant and theatre discounts, lost ticket insurance and free, unlimited ticket exchanges. For season or subscription information, call 978-654-4MRT (4678), or visit MerrimackRep.org.
For more information, bios, interviews, or photos, please contact Dan Berube at 978-654-7595 or Daniel.Berube@MerrimackRep.org.
For MRT show times, tickets, season information, directions, or to request a brochure, please visit merrimackrep.org or call the Box Office at 978-654-4MRT (4678).
The nationally-acclaimed and award-winning Merrimack Repertory Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lowell at Liberty Hall, the Company’s intimate 308-seat theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium). Each season, Merrimack Rep presents an eclectic mix of contemporary productions, engaging the country’s best available actors, designers and directors. Founded in 1979, MRT’s mission is “To advance the cause of human understanding by creating theatrical productions at the highest level of artistic excellence and making them affordable to the broadest possible community.” Its unique artistic vision is shaped by a passion for excellence and a profound commitment to its community. MRT strives to enhance the community’s quality of life while contributing to its economic strength, measuring success by the depth of the Company’s artistic and social contribution to the region.
MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATER’S 2011-2012 SEASON
The Persian Quarter by Kathleen Cahill, September 15 – October 9, 2011
This Verse Business by A.M. Dolan, October 20 – November 13, 2011
Reduced Shakespeare Company ® in The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, November 25 – December 18, 2011
The Voice of the Turtle by John Van Druten, January 5 – January 29, 2012
Daddy Long Legs - book by John Caird, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, based on the novel by Jean Webster, February 9 – March 4, 2012
Mrs. Whitney by John Kolvenbach, March 15 – April 8, 2012
Ghost-Writer by Michael Hollinger, April 19 – May 13, 2012.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Performance Space:
Liberty Hall (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium)
50 E. Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Box Office: 978-543-4MRT (4678)
Offices:
The Donahue Center in Bagshaw Mills
132 Warren Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Front Desk: 978-654-7550
Dan Berube
Marketing Manager
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Daniel.Berube@MerrimackRep.org
ph. 978-654-7595
fx. 978-654-7575
Merrimack Repertory Theatre's 2011-2012 Season
The Persian Quarter by Kathleen Cahill, September 15 - October 9, 2011
This Verse Business by A.M. Dolan, October 20 - November 13, 2011
The Reduced Shakespeare Company® in The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) November 25 - December 18, 2011
The Voice of the Turtle by John Van Druten, January 5 - January 29, 2012
Daddy Long Legs Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon; Book by John Caird; Based on the novel by Jean Webster February 9 - March 4, 2012
Mrs Whitney by John Kolvenbach, March 15 - April 8, 2012
Ghost-Writer by Michael Hollinger, April 19 - May 13, 2012
Emmy Award-Winner Gordon Clapp to Star in "This Verse Business" at Merrimack Rep
