Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati: "Fiction" by Steven Dietz
PRESS RELEASE
How much of our lives is an open book? Accomplished authors Michael and Linda have been happily married for twenty years. When Linda makes the ultimate request—to read Michael’s meticulously kept diaries—how can he refuse? As she pores over Michael’s journals, Linda discovers that the line between fact and fiction, truth and myth, is often blurred.
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati (ETC) presents the regional premiere of Fiction January 31 through February 18 and reunites regional favorites Dennis Parlato and Amy Warner (last seen together in The Guys). ETC Artistic Producing Director D. Lynn Meyers will direct.
Dietz’s drama examines the fictional undercurrent and startling secrets that can lie beneath the familiar pattern of marriage and asks us to consider how much we really want to know about one another. Fiction challenges the power of memory, its ability to reshape the events of our lives, and the immortality of the written word.
D. Lynn Meyers explains, “this play is not an anti-Valentine; it is a play about love. I chose Fiction to launch the second half of ETC’s season, which is driven by the exploration of relationships.” She continues, “often times, we must reinvent ourselves in the face of adversity or loss, so our creations don’t necessarily negate our realities. Dietz creates a wonderful situation here for us to explore how we live the lives we do, how we envision it differently, and if we can ever love someone enough to let them know us fully.” Meyers is also excited about the idea of Dennis Parlato and Amy Warner working together again, both of whom appeared in 2002’s The Guys. In that play, they played two people brought together by need and tragedy; in Fiction, they’ll play two people brought together by love and passion during a time of personal crisis.
About the Cast
Dennis Parlato (Michael Waterman) returns “home” to ETC, having appeared in The Guys in 2002. Mr. Parlato recently played Lawrence Jamison in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: The Graduate, Oscar Wilde’s Salome (with Al Pacino as Herod), The Sound of Music, Chess, Annie, A Chorus Line. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include the title roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, Barrymore, The Master Builder, Christopher Columbus, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Christmas Carol, How I Learned to Drive, and Guys & Dolls. TV and film work include Law and Order, One Life to Live, and Loving.
Amy Warner (Linda Waterman) also returns to ETC’s stage, having performed in The Guys, The Women of Lockerbie, and in last season’s racially-charged Permanent Collection. More recently, she appeared in A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig at Playhouse in the Park. Other regional credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, for which she won a CEA award for Best Actress. Off-Broadway credits include: Wild Oats, Danton’s Death, Big and Little, and The Underpants. TV credits include appearances on Ally McBeal, Boston Public, The Guardian, The Practice, and E.R.
Dennis Parlato and Amy Warner will be joined on stage by a third cast member in the role of Abby, TBA.
-MORE-
Production Team
Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Set and Lighting Designer), Richard J. Sillen (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Assistant & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Billy Alletzhauser (Composer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). The Production Stage Manager is Stephanie Schrock.
Ticket Information
Individual tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for students and seniors, and $16 for children ages 12 and under. Special “Rush” tickets are also available for $15, fifteen minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability). Call the ETC box office, 1127 Vine Street, at (513) 421-3555 or purchase tickets online at www.cincyetc.com. Subscriptions may be purchased throughout the season by calling the ETC box office. Audio enhancement, wheelchair accessible seating, and large print programs are available with advance notice by calling the ETC box office at (513) 421-3555.
Parking and Security
Parking for evening and matinee performances is available directly across the street from the theatre in the new Gateway Garage for $2. Patrons may access the garage via the 12th Street entrance. Security officers are present before, during, and after all performances.
Dietz’s drama examines the fictional undercurrent and startling secrets that can lie beneath the familiar pattern of marriage and asks us to consider how much we really want to know about one another. Fiction challenges the power of memory, its ability to reshape the events of our lives, and the immortality of the written word.
D. Lynn Meyers explains, “this play is not an anti-Valentine; it is a play about love. I chose Fiction to launch the second half of ETC’s season, which is driven by the exploration of relationships.” She continues, “often times, we must reinvent ourselves in the face of adversity or loss, so our creations don’t necessarily negate our realities. Dietz creates a wonderful situation here for us to explore how we live the lives we do, how we envision it differently, and if we can ever love someone enough to let them know us fully.” Meyers is also excited about the idea of Dennis Parlato and Amy Warner working together again, both of whom appeared in 2002’s The Guys. In that play, they played two people brought together by need and tragedy; in Fiction, they’ll play two people brought together by love and passion during a time of personal crisis.
About the Cast
Dennis Parlato (Michael Waterman) returns “home” to ETC, having appeared in The Guys in 2002. Mr. Parlato recently played Lawrence Jamison in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: The Graduate, Oscar Wilde’s Salome (with Al Pacino as Herod), The Sound of Music, Chess, Annie, A Chorus Line. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include the title roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, Barrymore, The Master Builder, Christopher Columbus, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Christmas Carol, How I Learned to Drive, and Guys & Dolls. TV and film work include Law and Order, One Life to Live, and Loving.
Amy Warner (Linda Waterman) also returns to ETC’s stage, having performed in The Guys, The Women of Lockerbie, and in last season’s racially-charged Permanent Collection. More recently, she appeared in A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Fezziwig at Playhouse in the Park. Other regional credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, for which she won a CEA award for Best Actress. Off-Broadway credits include: Wild Oats, Danton’s Death, Big and Little, and The Underpants. TV credits include appearances on Ally McBeal, Boston Public, The Guardian, The Practice, and E.R.
Dennis Parlato and Amy Warner will be joined on stage by a third cast member in the role of Abby, TBA.
-MORE-
Production Team
Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Set and Lighting Designer), Richard J. Sillen (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Assistant & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Billy Alletzhauser (Composer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). The Production Stage Manager is Stephanie Schrock.
Ticket Information
Individual tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for students and seniors, and $16 for children ages 12 and under. Special “Rush” tickets are also available for $15, fifteen minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability). Call the ETC box office, 1127 Vine Street, at (513) 421-3555 or purchase tickets online at www.cincyetc.com. Subscriptions may be purchased throughout the season by calling the ETC box office. Audio enhancement, wheelchair accessible seating, and large print programs are available with advance notice by calling the ETC box office at (513) 421-3555.
Parking and Security
Parking for evening and matinee performances is available directly across the street from the theatre in the new Gateway Garage for $2. Patrons may access the garage via the 12th Street entrance. Security officers are present before, during, and after all performances.
