Director/Adaptor Stephen Wrentmore’s Production, Set in 1960s Italy, Features PTC Alum Kate Middleton in the Title Role
[SALT LAKE CITY, UT, AUGUST 30, 2022] — Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC), Utah’s premiere professional theatre, presents Molière’s Scapin in an all-new adaptation by director Stephen Wrentmore. Wrentmore’s take on the 17th-century classic puts women at the forefront by changing the trouble-making servant Scapin into a female character—who is now assisting two very chic and meddling mothers (fathers in the original telling) in their quest to see their respective sons married to suitable brides. The production opens PTC’s 22/23 Season from September 16 through October 1.
“Pioneer Theatre Company’s 61st Season is presented in the pioneering spirit which gave the company its name. As PTC continues to welcome audiences back to live theatre, I can’t think of a better way to kick things off than with a lightheartedly joyous, all-new Scapin,” says Artistic Director Karen Azenberg. “Stephen’s adaptation is fresh and thrilling. He’s retained the wit of Molière’s original but has infused it with a 21st-century sensibility—not to mention a gorgeous setting in 1960s Naples. We can’t wait for our audiences to experience it.”
Scapin director Stephen Wrentmore is an award-winning British theatre director, dramaturg, producer, writer, and academic. As a director, Wrentmore has worked all over the world, including The National Theatre in London and the Meyerhold Theatre in Moscow. He currently teaches at the University of Kentucky and makes his PTC debut with Scapin.
“Working on this script has been an absolute delight; Moliere’s playfulness, masterful structure, and commitment to the actor put the relationship between the performer and the audience as my primary focus,” says Wrentmore. “And it’s funny; the satire is sharp, intends to entertain, and translates wonderfully to the contemporary. The rehearsal room has been full of laughter and silliness. As a director, working with these extraordinary and talented actors has been thrilling. They have brought joy to the process that has become infectious. We can’t wait to share Scapin with you. Comedy is a serious business.”
PTC alum Kate Middleton, who previously appeared in A Few Good Men, Alabama Story, and Oslo, plays the title role. Other credits include The Other Place (Manhattan Theatre Club) and Roe (The Goodman). Playing the scheming matriarchs are PTC alum Celeste Ciulla (The Lion in Winter) as Arganta and, in her PTC debut, Sofia Jean Gomez (Angels in America, Signature Theatre Company) as Géronta.
Also returning to PTC are Lucy Lavely (One Man, Two Guvnors) as Zerbinette, Andrea Morales (The Anatomy of Love, Play-by-Play reading) as Hyacinthe, and Xavier Reyes (Sweat) as Sylvestre.
Making their PTC debuts are Adrian Baidoo (Broadway’s The Inheritance) as Léandre and Alex Walton (I Hate Hamlet, Maltz Jupiter Theatre) as Octave. Also joining the company are interns from University of Utah Actor Training Program, Lina Boyer as Nérine and Zac Thorn as Carle.
Joining Wrentmore on the creative team are Scenic Designer Yoon Bae, Costume Designer Brenda Van Der Wiel, Lighting Designer Brian Tovar, Sound Designer Bryce Robinette, Fight Choreographer Zac Curtis, and Hair & Wig Designer Samantha Wootten. Tracey Woolley is the Production Stage Manager.
Scapin runs from September 16 through October 1 at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Tickets are available individually, or as part of PTC’s season packages, at PioneerTheatre.org or by calling PTC’s Box Office at 801-581-6961.
PRESS CONTACT
Jennifer Fitzgibbon
Publicity Manager
Jennifer.Fitzgibbon@PTC.Utah.edu
801-581-7222
MEDIA PHOTOS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD:
Cast announcement photos are currently available in our Press Kit for media use.
High-resolution production photos will be available in our Press Kit beginning Thursday, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 after 12 noon.
INTERVIEWS: Interviews with the cast and artistic staff are available. Please contact Jennifer Fitzgibbon to arrange.
WHO
Pioneer Theatre Company
WHAT
Scapin
by Molière
A new adaptation by Stephen Wrentmore
WHEN
September 16 – October 1, 2022
TIMES
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE
Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC) is located in the
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City
PRICES
$35 – $46 in advance; $5 more when purchased on day of show.
Students K-12 are half-price Monday-Thursday.
MORE INFO
Box Office: 801-581-6961
Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Mon. – Fri.
PioneerTheatre.org/Season/2022-2023-Season/Scapin/
CAST
Léandre: Adrian Baidoo*
Arganta: Celeste Ciulla*
Geronta: Sofia Jean Gomez*
Zerbinette: Lucy Lavely*
Scapin: Kate Middleton*
Hyacinthe: Andrea Morales*
Sylvestre: Xavier Reyes*
Octave: Alex Walton*
Nerine: Lina Boyer
Carle: Zac Thorn
CREATIVE
Director/Adaptor: Stephen Wrentmore
Set Designer: Yoon Bae
Costume Designer: Brenda Van Der Wiel
Lighting Designer: Brian Tovar
Sound Designer: Bryce Robinette
Hair & Makeup Designer: Samantha Wootten
Production Stage Manager: Tracey Woolley*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ABOUT PIONEEER THEATRE COMPANY (PTC)
Now celebrating its 61st season, the award-winning PTC is Utah’s premiere professional theatre company and a leading arts organization of the West. Led by Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Interim Managing Director Diane L. Parisi, PTC presents world-class productions that celebrate diversity in culture and society, and serve as the connecting bridge between art and scholarship as an affiliate of the University of Utah. For more information, visit PioneerTheatre.org.