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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California

April 5, 2004

Contact: Jo Ann Lloyd (805) 756-1511 Well-Known Actresses To Stage ‘Agnes of God’ Reading at Cal Poly April 24

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Three well-known actresses, with the help of veteran television and film director Mel Damski, will give a reading of “Agnes of God” at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in the Cal Poly Theatre.

“Four of Hollywood’s most talented professionals will pool their artistry for a special benefit staged reading of John Pielmeier’s compelling mystery “Agnes of God” in support of Cal Poly’s outstanding theater arts program,” said Pam Malkin, a faculty member in the Theatre and Dance Department.

Cast members include Kathy Baker, Susan Sullivan and Katherine Cunningham-Eves.

“Agnes of God” is described as a taut psychological thriller that is also a profound examination of religion, faith and love. In the play, a young nun is accused of a terrible murder. The convent’s Mother Superior and a court-appointed psychiatrist attempt to unravel the truth.

Damski has directed 27 movies and many documentaries. He has been nominated twice for Emmy Awards and once for an Oscar for his documentary short “Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.”

His feature films include “,” “Mischief” and “Happy Together.” He also directed such acclaimed docudramas as “Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure,” “The Badge of the Assassin” starring James Woods, and “A Winner Never Quits” with Keith Carradine.

Damski has directed numerous television series, from “Mash” and “” to “Ally McBeal” and “Without a Trace.” He regularly directs “The Guardian.”

A former Newsday reporter, he has taught filmmaking at the University of Southern California, the American Film Institute and Cal Poly.

Baker, a multiple-award-winning stage, screen and television actress, will portray psychiatrist Martha Cunningham. Baker won a 1983 Best Actress Obie (Off-Broadway) Award in Sam Shepherd’s “Fool for Love.” Her film credits include the current release “Cold Mountain,” as well as “The Cider House Rules,” “Edward Scissorhands” “Inventing the Abbotts” and “The Right Stuff.” She received a Best Actress Emmy Award for the long-running television series “Picket Fences” and has appeared in the made-for-television movie “Door to Door” and the series “Boston Public.”

Two-time Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Sullivan will play Mother Miriam Ruth. Sullivan is well known to television audiences for her roles as Kitty Montgomery in the sitcom “Dharma and Greg” and the drama “Falcon Crest.” She also starred in the series “It’s a Living,” “Rich Man, Poor Man,” “Julie Farr, M.D.” and “The Monroes.”

She appeared on Broadway with Dustin Hoffman in “Jimmy Shine” and was recently seen in the production of A.R. Gurney’s “The Fourth Wall.” She is a member of The Matrix Theatre Company of Los Angeles. Her feature film appearances include “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Show and Tell” and “The New Maverick.”

Katherine Cunningham-Eves portrays the young nun Agnes. Her most recent credits include guest starring roles on “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Judging Amy,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “,” “One Life to Live,” “The Guiding Light,” and “The Education of Max Bickford.”

She stars in the upcoming independent feature film “Contentment Place.” On stage she has played Hero in “Much Ado About Nothing,” Jill in “Equus” and Daisy in “The Adding Machine.” She earned a BFA in theater from Carnegie Mellon University and received additional training at the Moscow Arts Theatre in Russia, the Mountview Academy in London and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

The co-producers of this special event are the Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department and FANS (Friends and Network of Alumni Supporters for Cal Poly’s Theatre Arts program). Founded in l997, FANS members include alumni who are now successful stage, screen and television professionals.

Tickets are $10 to $20 and can be bought at the Performing Arts Ticket Office 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends, or call the ticket office at 756-2787. For more information, call Malkin at 756-6071.

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