Local Theatre Night Friday at WGT's Atlas of Mud

WGT — Iowa City’s Working Group Theatre knew they had an amazing play on their hands for their 2010 Season when they selected company member Jennifer Fawcett's Atlas of Mud for their December slot. After all, the play was honored by The Kennedy Center with its National Science Playwriting Award and Working Group had the opportunity to give it its world premiere. “We get to be the company that debuts a Kennedy Center award-winning play – that's an amazing opportunity for any company,” states Managing Director Josh Beadle. Working Group just needed the cast to support the premiere, and fortunately, some of the best actors on the local theatre scene have signed on to help bring Atlas of Mud to life.

Atlas of Mud will be presented December 3-12 at Riverside Theatre as part of Working Group Theatre’s season-long residency at Riverside. Opening night is Local Theatre Night; anyone associated with one of the local theatres receives a discount on the ticket price. In addition, Working Group has invited representatives from a number of local theatres to participate in a panel discussion of their upcoming projects. City Circle, Dreamwell, ICCT, Old Creamery and Riverside will have representatives on the panel.

The play features Iowa City favorites Martin Andrews (Mary’s Wedding, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Tim Budd (Love's Labour's Lost, Diary of Anne Frank) and Kristy Hartsgrove (Blithe Spirit, Mauritius, Guys on Ice). Rounding out the cast are several up-and-coming stars of the Iowa City theatre world, Brandon Bruce (Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Wonder of the World) and Natalie Kropf (Diary of Anne Frank). Director Sean Christopher Lewis couldn't be happier: “I really feel that we are working with the best acting talent in the area. Every rehearsal provides a new insight, whether it comes from an experienced actor like Tim or from a young voice like Natalie.”

Atlas of Mud depicts a world in an environmental crisis, giving audiences a glimpse into the causes and effects of a man-made disaster of mythological proportions. The production is being supported by several local environmental groups in their efforts to raise awareness of climate change and local environmental issues.

Much like other Working Group productions, which premiere in Iowa City then travel to other parts of the country, Atlas is lining up productions in both Chicago and New York. Producing Director Martin Andrews is excited by the possibilities: “We see this as the first step in the life of this play. We are excited to have Iowa City be its launching pad.”