News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Ben Randle, Artistic Associate & Publicist ~ 415.694.6156 ~ [email protected] Press Kit: nctcsf.org/press
NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER GOES FOR A KNOCK-OUT WITH WEST COAST PREMIERE OF COCK, MICHAEL BARTLETT’S ACCLAIMED, OLIVIER-WINNING PLAY
San Francisco, CA (July 15, 2014) — New Conservatory Theatre Center opens its 2014-15 Season with the West Coast Premiere of what The New York Times declared a “terrific new comedy with an unprintable name”: Cock by Michael Bartlett, directed by Stephen Rupsch. When John and his boyfriend take a break, the last thing he expects is to meet the woman of his dreams. This “exhilarating … robust and rollicking” new play (The New Yorker) takes a playful, candid look at sexuality, identity, and our obsession with certainty.
Cock runs September 5 – October 12, 2014 in NCTC’s intimate Walker Theater. Opening Night is Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 - $45 and are available at nctcsf.org or by calling (415) 861-8972.
Cock caused a critical sensation when it premiered at London’s Royal Court in 2009, going on to win a Laurence Oliver Award, and equal praise upon its New York premiere in 2012:
“Never mind its provocative title”, declares The New York Post, “Cock is wonderful!”
“With the exception of Oscar Wilde,” raves Variety, “quarreling lovers are never as articulate and entertaining as they are in Cock, Mike Bartlett’s Battle Royal of wit and persuasion.”
“Brilliant!” proclaims The New York Times. Cock “never panders to any need for sensationalism. Instead he crafts a terrific contemporary play that puts much of other theater to shame.”
"Uproariously funny,” hails New York Magazine. “Cock is a rite of spring you shouldn't miss!”
Playwright Michael Bartlett is an award-winning playwright whose plays include King Charles III (Almeida Theatre); Chariots of Fire (based on the film; Hampstead/West End); 13 (National Theatre); Bull (Sheffield Theatres/Off-Broadway); Love, Love, Love (Paines Plough/Plymouth Drum/Royal Court); Earthquakes in London (Headlong/National Theatre); Cock (Royal Court/Off-Broadway). He is Associate Playwright at Paines Plough, was Writer-in-Residence at the National Theatre in 2011, and was the Pearson Playwright-in-Residence at the Royal Court Theatre in 2007. Cock won an Olivier Award for
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Ed Decker Barbara Hodgen ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2010. Love, Love, Love won the TMA Best New Play Award in 2011. He has written seven plays for BBC Radio, winning the Writers’ Guild Tinniswood and Imison prizes for Not Talking, and his three-part television series, The Town, was broadcast on ITV1 in 2012 and nominated for a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent.
Director Stephen Rupsch returns to NCTC, where he previously worked on staff and directed productions of Kilt, Pins, The Crumple Zone, Message to Michael and From the Hip: Siamese Twin Variations, as well as Get Real! for NCTC’s Theatre in Education program, YouthAware. Currently on sabbatical, Stepehn works as an Assistant Professor and Director of Theatre Studies for St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI.
The design team for Cock features scenic design by resident designer Devin Kasper, lighting design by resident designer Christian Mejia, Costume Design by Michelle Mulholland, Sound Design by James Ard, Dialect Coaching by Patricia Reynoso, Stage Management by Vanessa Ramo.
The cast of Cock includes Stephen McFarland, Todd Pivetti, Radhika Rao, and Matt Weimer.
Special Engagements: During the run of the show, theatre lovers can enjoy many special events: Onstage Insight, Post-Show Discussions after the following performances: Sunday, September 21st at 8pm– Panel discussion featuring the cast. Low-cost Previews take place on Friday, September 5th – Friday, September 12th. Community Pay What You Wish Tickets: A limited number of tickets are held for each preview performance for our Pay-What-You-Wish program. These tickets cannot be reserved or purchased in advance and are only available for walkup sales beginning 1 hour before the performance. These tickets must be purchased in person. Opening Night will take place on Saturday, September 13th at 8pm. The performance will be followed by a reception with the cast, designers and director.
New Conservatory Theatre Center is San Francisco’s premiere LGBTQIA and allied performing arts institution and progressive arts education conservatory since 1981. NCTC is renowned for its diverse range of innovative, high quality productions, touring productions and shows for young audiences; its foundational anti-bullying work with youth and educators through YouthAware; and its commitment to nurturing emerging artists and playwrights to expand the canon of queer and allied dramatic work.
### Ed Decker Barbara Hodgen ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cock FACT SHEET
WHO: Written by Michael Bartlett Directed by Stephen Rupsch Starring Stephen McFarland, Todd Pivetti, Radhika Rao, and Matt Weimer.
WHAT: The West Coast Premiere of Michael Bartlett’s acclaimed new play, Cock
WHERE: New Conservatory Theatre Center Walker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave @Market, San Francisco, CA 94102
WHEN: September 5 – October 12, 2014 Wednesday – Sat at 8pm Sundays at 2pm
COST: $25-$45
TICKETS AND BOX OFFICE: 415-861-8972, [email protected]
Special Engagements: Onstage Insight with cast…………………….……..9/21 Low-Cost Previews…..……………..…...... 9/5 - 9/12 Opening Night…..………………….………………….9/13
PHOTOS AND PRESS KITS: nctcsf.org/press
Ed Decker Barbara Hodgen ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR