PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: February 12, 2010

PRESS CONTACT:  Dan Berube, 978.654.7595, berube@merrimackrep.org        

BOX OFFICE:  978.654.4MRT (4678)

MERRIMACK REP

RECEIVES 9 IRNE AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Seafarer & A Moon for the Misbegotten

Both Nominated for “Best Production of a Play”

Lowell, MA – The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) have nominated Merrimack Repertory Theatre artists and productions for 9 awards in the Large Theatre category. Headlining Merrimack Rep’s nominations are The Seafarer and A Moon the Misbegotten, which are both nominated for Best Production of a Play, a category Merrimack Rep has won previously with Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance (2008) and The Drawer Boy (2003). 

In total, four of Merrimack Rep’s productions in 2009 garnered IRNE nominations. Eugene O’Neill’s American classic A Moon for the Misbegotten, which culminated MRT’s 30 Anniversary Season, leads the way with 5 nominations. In addition to Best Production of a Play, it also received nominations for Best Director (Edward Morgan), Best Actress (Kate Udall) and Best Ensemble. Gordon Joseph Weiss is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performances as Phil Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten and as Richard Harkin in The Seafarer. The Seafarer is also nominated for Best Production of a Play, and David Adkins received a nomination for Best Actor. Also nominated for Best Actor is stage veteran Ron Holgate, who made his Merrimack Rep debut as Gustave in Heroes in November 2009. Elizabeth Aspenlieder, who starred in the one-woman show Bad Dates, is nominated for Best Solo Performance, an award she won for the same role earlier this year at the Boston Theatre Critics Association’s Elliot Norton Awards. 

The IRNE Awards will be held on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. The full list of IRNE nominees, along with event information is available online at www.stagesource.org.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2009-2010 Season is sponsored by Lowell Cooperative Bank. The Seafarer was sponsored by Wannalancit Mills, an investment of Farley White Interests. Heroes was sponsored by Courier Corporation. Bad Dates was sponsored by Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Don’t miss a single show!  On sale now, Merrimack Rep offers subscription packages to fit every lifestyle and budget.  With season subscription packages ranging from $45-$307, all subscriptions offer deep discounts off the single ticket prices as well as exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant and theatre discounts, lost ticket insurance and free, unlimited exchanges.  For a season brochure or subscription information, call 978.654.4MRT (4678) or visit www.MerrimackRep.org.

TICKETS: Single Tickets $26-$56; Student/Senior/Group discounts are available.  Tickets can be purchased at MRT’s Online Box Office at www.merrimackrep.org, or in person at 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell, or by calling 978.654.4678.  Groups of 6 or more save 25% off single ticket prices, and can call 978.654.7595 for more information.

For more information, bios, interviews, or photos, please contact Dan Berube at 978.654.7595 or berube@merrimackrep.org.

For MRT show times, tickets, season information, directions, or to request a brochure, please visit www.merrimackrep.org or call the Box Office at 978.654.4MRT (4678).

Merrimack Repertory Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lowell at Liberty Hall, the Company’s 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 best available actors, designers and directors in the country.  Founded in 1979, Merrimack Rep’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.  Merrimack Rep 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 Theatre's 2009-2010 Season
Flings & Eros by The Flying Karamazov Brothers, September 10 – October 4, 2009; The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, October 15 – November 8, 2009; Heroes by Gerald Sibleyras, adapted by Tom Stoppard, November 19 – December 13, 2009; Fabuloso, A Play by John Kolvenbach, January 7 – January 31, 2010; Black Pearl Sings! by Frank Higgins, February 11 – March 7, 2010; The Last Days of Mickey & Jean by Richard Dresser, March 18 – April 11, 2010; The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett, April 22 – May 16, 2010.

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