Blackbird Star Mike Mulligan Calls Role “One of the Most Challenging of My Career”
Blackbird, by David Harrower, winner of London’s 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Play and a recipient of three 2016 Tony nominations, will have its Key West premiere for three nights only March 3, 4 and 5 at The Studios of Key West. The play stars two of Key West’s most prominent actors, Mike Mulligan and Jessica Miano Kruel, in the roles that won their Broadway counterparts Tony nominations. Dennis Zacek, Artistic Director Emeritus of Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater and a veteran of Fringe Theater Key West, directs.
The play, which Ben Brantley in The New York Times calls a “terrible love story,” begins in a drab office break room, when Una (Jessica Miano Kruel) unexpectedly visits Ray (Mike Mulligan) at his workplace. Fifteen years earlier, when Una was twelve and Ray was in his 40’s, they had a sexual relationship over a period of three months. Now Una has found him, and a devastating confrontation ensues.
“The recent Broadway revival of Blackbird was, despite its challenging subject matter, a darling of the 2016 Broadway season, playing nightly to sold out crowds,” says Erin Stover-Sickmen, Studios’ Artistic Director. “The Studios of Key West, in partnership with producers Dennis Zacek and Mike Mulligan, is thrilled to bring this thoughtful, contemporary production to the community ‑ giving everyone a chance to see a groundbreaking piece of theater ‑ without flying to New York.”
The story unfolds as Ray, having served a prison term, is living as “Peter” to hide his past life. When Una appears again, the identity Ray/Peter has assumed is thrown into jeopardy, and old wounds are torn open.
Mike Mulligan says, “This has been one of the most challenging roles of my career. Ray’s emotional journey is dizzying – from fear and guilt to desire and even love ‑ and Blackbird takes the audience along for the ride.”
Mike Mulligan has been seen on all of Key West’s stages in his successful career as both a dramatic and comedic actor. Among his most well know roles are Salieri in Amadeus, Leonard in Seminar and “F” in Cock as well as numerous musical comedy performances.
“Loosely based on a true story, Blackbird offers roles that challenge and inspire an actor,” director Zacek observes, “Harrower highlights the frailty and desire of two damaged human beings while revealing their souls. I am delighted to be working with Mike and Jessica, two exceptional actors.”
Jessica Miano Kruel has also enjoyed a multifaceted career as a musical comedy actor and dramatic actor. Roles include Catherine in Suddenly Last Summer, Jean in August Osage County and Amanda in Private Lives.
Scarlett McMonigle has also joined the cast. She last appeared in The Lion King, Jr. at The Waterfront.
Blackbird will be performed March 3-5 at The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton Street. Performances are at 8pm on Friday and Saturday March 3 and 4, and 7pm on March 5. Tickets prices are $38 each. Discounts are offered to Studios’ members. VIP tickets, which include reserved seating, are priced at $55 each. Tickets are available through The Studios box office and at tskw.org.
Contact: Elena Devers
ARTIST BIOS FOR BLACKBIRD
Mike Mulligan is familiar to Key West audiences having performed on all of its stages since 1973. Highlights of his many performances include Amadeus (Salieri) and Equus (Dysart), both by Peter Shaffer, Seminar (Leonard), by Theresa Rebeck, Cock (F) by Mike Bartlett and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence) by David Yazbeck and Jeffrey Lane. In addition to his work in theater, he is known as a cabaret entertainer performing with his two “buddies” in The Brotherhood series at Tennessee Williams Theater.
Jessica Miano Kruel is currently performing in The Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote, directed by Murphy Davis at the Waterfront Playhouse. Other credits at the Waterfront include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky) by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, The Producers (Lick Me-Bite Me) by Mel Brooks, and Thomas Meehan, August: Osage County (Jean) by Tracy Letts as well as Private Lives (Amanda) by Noel Coward at Fringe Theater Key West and Catherine in Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer. A graduate of Rollins College having earned a performance degree with honors, she splits her time between Key West and Los Angeles where she works in television and film. Her credits include What Maisie Knew, The Abstraction and Back Stabber. For further information, see IMBD.
Dennis Zacek is Artistic Director Emeritus of Victory Gardens Theater, recipient of the 2001 Regional Theater Tony Award. He has directed over 250 productions in his career. His Key West directorial credits include Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, which starred Mike Mulligan, A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee, Orson’s Shadow by Austin Pendleton and The Apple Falls by Monnie King. All were produced by Fringe Theater Key West where Mr. Zacek was Resident Director for four years. He is the author of The Zacek Tapes: Reflections on Theater, Community and Leadership, recently published by The New Atlantian Library.
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