SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME

Message from Capital Stage

March 19 - April 25, 2010
(Opening Night: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.)
Sacramento, CA - February 26, 2010 Capital Stage continues its fifth season with Frank McGuinness' gripping "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me," winner of the 1993 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play.

In the late 1980's Brian Keenan, John McCarthy and Terry Waite were taken hostage in Beirut. They were held, together or separately, for over four years. "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" is Irish playwright Frank McGuiness's fictionalised version of these actual events.

An American doctor, and English academic, and an Irish journalist are taken prisoner in the Middle East. Having little contact with their unseen captors -- and none whatsoever with the outside world -- the men use dark humor and their vivid imaginations to forge their own reality within the walls of their cell. As victims of political action, powerless to initiate change, what can they do? How do they live and survive? Filled with humor and pathos, "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" is ultimately a remarkable celebration of the human spirit.

Performances for "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" will begin with four previews on Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday, March 25 at 8 p.m., and will open on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8p.m. Performances continue through April 25, 2010.

Showtimes will be Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$32. Discount tickets are available as follows: Preview Tickets: $15; Student Tickets on Thursdays and Fridays: $12; Senior Tickets on Sunday Matinees: $20; and Group Rates are available for parties of 12 or more. Tickets are currently available at the Capital Stage Box Office, by phone at 916-995-5464 or online at www.capstage.org.

The Pilothouse Restaurant offers a specially priced $29 three-course dinner for theatre patrons; Pilothouse reservations can be made through the box office.

The Playwright

Since his debut on the Irish theater scene with The Factory Girls (1982), Frank McGuinness has been one of his generation's most prolific and significant playwrights, earning applause and awards throughout the world for such plays as "Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme" (1985) and "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" (1992. "Later works include Dolly West's Kitchen" (1999), "Gates of Gold" (2002) and "There Came A Gypsy Riding" (2007). His most recent play, "Greta Garbo Came to Donegal" premiered in London in January 2010. He has also written new versions of classic dramas, including works by Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, and Euripides, adapting the literal translations of others. In addition, he wrote the screenplay for the film "Dancing at Lughnasa" from Brian Friel's stage play.

The Cast

"Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" features a powerhouse cast with returning Capital Stage favorite K. Scott Coopwood ("The Scene," "Dirty Story") playing Edward, the Irishman. Sacramento Theatre Company member Matt K. Miller makes his Capital Stage debut as Michael, the Englishman; and Bay Area actor Michael Wiles ("Fat Pig") rounds out the cast as Adam, the American. Capital Stage Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte ("Speech & Debate," "The Scene") directs.


"Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" is recommended for mature audiences.