For Immediate Release: June 1, 2005
Media Contact: Margie Royal, Hedgerow Theatre, 610.565.4211

Hedgerow Theatre's 4th Annual New Play features two mounted productions, Gorked! by Donald Drake and According To Plan by Susan Cain McQuilkin and six workshops of Plays-In Progress chosen for future development. All play in repertory through June 19. Call 610-565-4211 for reservations. The six workshops will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday evenings June 13 through June 28.

Week one of the workshops will feature two plays for students and teachers: The Hawthorne Sampler on June 13 and Betsy's Flag on June 14.

The Hawthorne Sampler by Margaret Royal of Media, weaves together three Nathaniel Hawthorne stories: "The Prophetic Pictures", "Lady Eleanore's Mantle" and "Young Goodman Brown". The play was written as a companion piece to Royal's Tales From Poe, which has been seen by hundreds of area junior high and high school students since its premiere at Hedgerow in 2000. The cast will feature Susan Wefel, Doug Wild, Arrie Callahan and Patrick Cathcart with veteran Janet Kelsey directing the production.

Betsy's Flag by Hedgerow Literary Manager Walt Vail of Pitman, N.J., highlights the life, marriages and bravery of Betsy Ross Ashburn Claypoole during the War for Independence. Artistic director Penelope Reed will direct ensemble members Arrie Callahan, Patrick Cathcart, Tom Irvine, Susan Wefel, Juliet Grey Kelsey, Newton Buchanan and featuring Cyndi Janzen, “Betsy Ross” at the Betsy Ross House.

Week two features strong women. Fastest Woman Alive by Karen Sunde, June 20, reveals the life of Jackie Cochran, first woman pilot to break the sound barrier and the founder of the WASPS.

If I Should Wake Before I Die by David A Shepard explores the life, love and death relationship of a successful woman and an ordinary man.

Week three features national playwrights with recent productions at Hedgerow: John Wolfson (whose play The Lives of Bosie was staged to critical acclaim last summer) and Nagle Jackson (whose play This Day and Age charmed audiences in March).

John Wolfson's new play, The Don, which will be workshopped June 27, concerns a son who smuggles drugs across the Mexican border in order to buy his Dad, The Don, a birthday present.

The final workshop June 28 of In The Family Room by Nagle Jackson, explores the feelings of guilt of the American Consumer which have driven empty nesters Barney and Ingrid into the family room of their McMansion.

Admission to the workshops is $5 or free with a ticket stub from either Gorked! or According To Plan. No reservations are required for the workshops. Hedgerow Theatre is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Media. Call 610-565-4211 for more information or visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org.

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