Resonance Ensemble Presents R.U.R. and THE TRUTH QUOTIENT, Now thru 2/2

Resonance Ensemble has announced the cast for their 10th anniversary season "Connecting Circuits" featuring two shows in rep, a classic play and new play with resonating themes. This season includes the classic 1920 play R.U.R. by Karel ?apek, adapted by Lee Eric Shackleford, directed by Valentina Fratti in rep with THE TRUTH QUOTIENT, by award-winning playwright Richard Manley, directed By Eric Parness. The season will run tonight, January 9 - February 2, 2013 at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 West 42 Street). Tickets are $19.25 (includes a $1.25 facilities fee) and can be purchased through Telecharge by calling (212) 239-6200 or at www.telecharge.com.

R.U.R. by Karel ?apek, adapted by Lee Eric Shackleford, directed by Valentina Fratti
Begins performances tonight, January 9 at 2PM; Opens Sunday, January 13 through February 2, 2013.

Karel ?apek's classic R.U.R. originated the word "robot," and for nearly a hundred years, the play has been considered a classic, translated into every major language on the face of the planet. The plot is centered on a factory that makes artificial beings used in the service of humans. While at first these "robots" seem content with their function as domestic servants, a hostile rebellion soon arises that threatens the very existence of the human race. Lee Eric Shackleford's adaptation brings the play's characters, language, and themes into a modern vernacular while remaining as faithful as possible to ?apek's intentions and vision. R.U.R. was first seen in NYC in 1922 where it ran on Broadway for 184 performances and featured Spencer Tracy and Pat O'Brien as robots in their Broadway debuts. It has rarely been produced in New York since.

The R.U.R cast includes: Kevin Bernard (B'way: Billy Elliot, Curtains Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie); Mac Brydon ( TV: "Lipstick Jungle" Stage: Order, Macbeth); Christine Bullen (The Jazz Singer, The Ventriloquist Circle. Film: The Conservatory); Tyler Caffall (Merchant of Venice); Chris Ceraso (Film: Coach of the Year. TV: "Law & Order". Resonance Ensemble's Master Builder); Matt W. Cody (Both Your Houses, RINO, Film: Blood Slaughter Massacre); Jane Cortney (House of Mirth, Twelfth Night); Charlotte Hampden (Saturn's Children, Irish Ghost Stories, Booth); Meg Heus ("The Big C," "Ugly Betty"); Brad Makarowski (Both Your Houses, Film: Me You & the Road); Sean Philips (Accept "Except" LGBT NY); Corey Tazmania (Oliver Twist, Housewives of Mannheim); James Ware (Resonance Ensemble's The Cherry Orchard).

THE TRUTH QUOTIENT, by Richard Manley, directed by Eric Parness. Begins performances tonight, January 9 at 8PM; Opens Sunday, January 13 through February 2, 2013.

THE TRUTH QUOTIENT takes place a few years from now, in a foreseeable future, when overcoming loneliness and feeling loved are no less of a challenge, but technology offers more solutions to those who can afford them. David is a wealthy entrepreneur who, despite great business successes, feels something is missing in his life. To ameliorate this nagging emptiness, he turns to a new company called Nureál, which promises real companionship from artificial beings. THE TRUTH QUOTIENT has already received significant attention and accolades, winning the Ashland New Play Festival, and being named a finalist for the STAGE International Script Competition, Reverie Productions' Next Generation Playwriting Contest, the Woodward/Newman Award, and the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest.

THE TRUTH QUOTIENT cast includes: Jarel Davidow (Taking a Chance on America - The Bela Lugosi Immigration Story. Of Mice and Men Film: Fillmore Lights, New Detroit); Angelina Fiordellisi (B'way: Zorba. TV: "Thunder Alley"); Meredith Howard (TV: "I Married a Mobster" Stage: RINO); Mark Peters (Sheba, Amahl and the Night Visitors); Shaun Bennet Wilson (Advance Man, Shakespeare's Slave Film: Pieces of Cake); Maxwell Zener (Film: Jim. Stage: The Importance of Being Earnest, Strange Bedfellows).