Courthouse Theater Company

JULY 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEST KINGSTON, RI - The Courthouse Theater Co. will follow the lives of 10 people marooned on an island with its play “Set & Drift” opening Aug. 16 at the Courthouse Center for the Arts.

The original play by Princeton University graduate Andy Hoover brings together a diverse group of characters from a psychiatric patient to a Balkan paratrooper all marooned on mound of sand surrounded by water. Unfortunately, the train tracks no longer carry trains and the castaways are forced to confront their fears, hopes and dreams together for better or for worse.

“Andy Hoover has an impeccable grasp of the struggles of each of his characters,” Director Christopher J. Simpson said. “‘Set & Drift’ is a pleasure to direct because each person contains enormous depth without being heavy handed or one-dimensional.”

“Set & Drift” stars many familiar faces including Michael Boyce and Lily Mathews as a couple lost on their honeymoon, Maxwell Mathews as a Balkan paratrooper and Corey Sickinger as the sarcastic Dr. Junger, narrating the play and occasionally offering his own blunt opinions on today’s society.

“‘Set & Drift’ is so different from anything we’ve ever done,” said Emily Greenhalgh, who plays Helen. “It’s daring, witty and clever, combining slapstick comedy with powerful insight and outrageous characters with real-life dilemmas.”

Hoover penned “Set & Drift” as his final senior thesis in 2006 and staged a production at Princeton to much acclaim.

“Set & Drift” opens Thursday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. with additional performances Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
The air-conditioned Courthouse Center for the Arts, at 3481 Kingstown Road (Route 138), is about 1.5 miles west from the University of Rhode Island.

Tickets are $14 for general admission, $12 for Courthouse Center for the Arts members with ID and $10 for students with ID. They may be purchased at the door or reserved online at www.courthousetheater.com.

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