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Double the thrills – "Twin Primes" at Stage 3
"Lead us not into temptation" says the prayer. Sometimes temptation is too great. But heed a word of warning: Before you take another step, you better check your math.
Stage 3 is one of those courageous theater companies willing to take a risk on bringing exciting new works to the stage. In this case the gamble pays off in the form of Alex Lewin's captivating intellectual thriller, "Twin Primes".
Winner of the 2003 Festival of New Plays, "Twin Primes" is a psychological spine-tingler in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles, taut, gripping storytelling full of surprises and a dash of humor.
Brilliant mathematician Linda Ruether has spent her life trying to unlock the age-old mathematical mystery of the Twin Prime Conjecture. She has sacrificed everything but this tantalizing dream has remained just out of reach. When an eighteen-year-old genius stumbles upon the solution, she can't resist the temptation to gain her own intellectual immortality, whatever the cost. She might just succeed. She might be able to join the pantheon of giants. Or is there something that she has overlooked? Something that was before our very eyes the entire time. Can ambition blind us to the obvious? Maybe. Maybe not. We never know until the final few seconds.
Artistic Director Don Bilotti remarks "When I saw the public reading of this play, the audience was on the edge of their seats. This play is about how greed and ambition can trap even the best of us. Stage 3 is becoming known as an actors' theatre and this brilliant script demands acting of the highest caliber. We are lucky to have such a wonderful cast."
Leading that cast is well-known actress Maryann Curmi. She has become one of the region's most versatile and prolific talents. Her amazing range of roles include one of the original "Angry Housewives", a ditzy mayfly on a date in "Mere Mortals" a mysterious Titanic survivor in "Scotland Road" a beleaguered director in "Inspecting Carol" a loveable call girl in "Drinking Alone" a cantankerous grandmother in "Over the River and through the Woods" and many others. Curmi has the comic instincts of a Lucille Ball and the depth and power of any fine dramatic actress.
Tim Bressler, a standout as the Artful Dodger in SRT's "Oliver!", has won the role of a young actor's lifetime. To go any further would give away too many plot twists but suffice to say his performance as the mathematical prodigy demands a scope that would tax the resources of any actor far beyond young Bressler's years.
Actress/director Terry Richardson takes the role of attorney Joyce Miller who is determined to unravel the mystery. She received critical acclaim at Stage 3 in "A Show of her Own" and The Cripple of Iniishman" and directed the hit "A Short Stay at Carranor".
Mike Clarke is the soul of integrity as mathematician Richard Frost. He was last seen at Stage 3 in "Light up the Sky".
"Twin Primes" contains a little strong language.
This production is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Dramatists Play Service.
Lighting will be designed by Matthew Leamy and costumes by Dena Mathias. Chris Sutherst and Don Bilotti provide the set design. Scenic expertise will be provided by Jay Newington.
"Twin Primes" will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St. , downtown Sonora , from April 9 through May 9. Performances are on an expanding schedule. First week: Fri. and Sat., April 9 and 10. Second week: Fri. and Sat. April 16 and 17. Beginning April 22, the show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm, Thursday, 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. Ticket prices are $12 Thursday, $15 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $12. Students always $10. Call 209-536-1778 for reservations and information. Visit www.stage3.org.
For reservations or information, please call 209-536-1778, or e-mail info@stage3.org.
