Merrimack Rep
Presents East Coast Premiere
of "Three Songs"

Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell will begin its 25th Anniversary Season with William Mesnik's "Three Songs," playing September 18 - October 12.

"Three Songs" tells the emotional story of a former folk trio -- as famous in the 1950s for their politics as for their music -- who have come together after a seven-year separation for one final televised concert.

Divided by time, ideologies and lifestyles, they must now choose three songs that celebrate who they once were and who they have become; a seemingly simple task that may just be impossible. With a score that includes workers' anthems, ballads, hymns, laments, and traditional folk songs, "Three Songs" is both timely and timeless in its story of three people's noble ambitions and all-too-human failings.

"Three Songs" received the Critics Choice award from the Los Angeles Times and was nominated for Musical of the Year by L.A.'s Valley Theatre Association.

The cast in Lowell includes: Robert Yacko as Fred, whose politics have resulted in a hard life for himself as well as his wife and singing partner; Kaitlin Hopkins as his wife, Kathy; and Jim Price as Curly, the character whose philosophy of playing the political game for the sake of commercial success helped shatter the group.

Directing will be Michael Canavan, director of the original production of "Three Songs" at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena and a subsequent production at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.

Joining the cast in Lowell is Playwright and Music Director William Mesnik. Among Mesnik's other original work is "Muckrakers-An Evening of Presidential Campaign Songs and Family Dysfunctions," which premiered on the eve of the 2000 presidential elections at the Fremont Centre Theatre in Los Angeles. He is the author and composer of many successful one-act shows as well as the co-author of "Jackson Pollock - Painting on the Edge."

One of only three League of Resident Theatres (LORT) in Eastern Massachusetts, Merrimack Rep presents an intriguing mix of contemporary and new plays in historic downtown Lowell. With its popular Young Artists at Play summer program, as well as educational and community outreach efforts, MRT serves Lowell and the Greater Merrimack Valley as the area's only fully professional theatre.

Merrimack Rep is located in Liberty Hall, adjacent to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, at 50 East Merrimack Street. The theatre is wheelchair-accessible and provides state-of-the-art listening devices upon request.

For ticket information, call the box office at 978-454-3926.

-- OnStage Boston

9/4/03