For Immediate Release: October 2, 2006
Media Contact: Erin Lucas, Flashpoint Theatre Company, 215.514.8965

Flashpoint is thrilled to launch their third season with Wendy MacLeod’s cult classic The House of Yes in its original stage version. With a cast of talented up-and-coming local actors, innovative designers and director, and a darkly funny script, The House of Yes is a production full of surprises that is not to be missed.

Its Thanksgiving, there’s a hurricane swirling outside and all the affluent families in the DC suburbs are sitting down to a warm holiday meal. The Pascal home, however, has its own storm brewing indoors. Charismatic Marty has brought his sweet, unsophisticated fiancée Lesly home to meet the family. Marty’s twin, the beautiful and spoiled Jackie-O, isn’t taking the surprise well. Jealous and awkward younger brother Anthony attempts to make Lesly feel at home, while Marty and Jackie-O reminisce about their unusual childhood. As the night progresses, the twins relive a haunting and dangerous game, and the end results are devastating. With the power out, a steady flow of alcohol, and a mother lurking in dark hallways, MacLeod reveals just how warped the all-American family can be.

“I love that Wendy MacLeod is not afraid to make her audience squirm a little,” says director Meghann Williams, who directed David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family for Flashpoint in 2004 and 2005. “There's so little that can shock us anymore, but MacLeod tackles one of the last truly taboo topics and laces it with humor - that's so compelling and attractive to me.” Williams was particularly attracted by the character of Jackie-O. “It's such a complex, strong, funny and tragic role!”

But it’s the relationship between twins Marty and Jackie-O that makes this a funny, unexpected story about family, love, and life-altering choices.

Playwright Wendy MacLeod is known for her biting wit and bravery in tackling such “hands-off” subjects as abortion and eating disorders, the latter of which was the key subject of Schoolgirl Figure, a hit for Flashpoint in 2005. The House of Yes became an award-winning Miramax film starring Parker Posey, earning a Special Jury Award at Sundance. The Water Children premiered at New York’s Playwrights Horizons and was then produced at L.A.’s Matrix Theater where it was cited as “the most challenging political play of 1998.” MacLeod teaches at Kenyon College and also served as a writer and executive story editor for the WB series Popular.

Portraying Jackie-O is Laura Catlaw, recent University of the Arts graduate who was featured in Arden Theatre Company’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum this past spring. Brother Marty is played by Derick Loafmann, whose other Flashpoint credits include The Bradley in Schoolgirl Figure and disgruntled elf Crumpet in The Santaland Diaries. Loafmann also recently appeared in The Ballad of Joe Hill in the 2006 Philly Fringe Festival and in Twelfth Night, Shakespeare in Clark Park’s debut production. Robert DaPonte, who plays Anthony, was also seen in Joe Hill and Twelfth Night, and has worked with Mum Puppettheatre, Greenlight Productions, Arden Theatre Company and many other local companies. Lesly is played by Caitlin Reilly, another recent graduate of UArts, where she performed in Kinks: Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy, The Wild Party, and Crazy for You. Mrs. Pascal is portrayed by veteran local actress April Woodall. April’s recent credits include Bristol Riverside Theatre’s I Married Wyatt Earp and Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center’s The Music Man.

The House of Yes will include a set design by Adam Riggar, scenic designer for Flashpoint’s production of Neil Labute’s Autobahn. Other credits include Bristol Riverside Theatre (Moon Over Buffalo), Montgomery Theater (Psychopathia Sexualis, Butterflies are Free), 11th Hour Theatre Company (I Sing!, Tick, Tick…BOOM!), Philadelphia Theatre Workshop (Postcoital Variations, Kimberly Akimbo), and Bristol Valley Theatre (Nevermore, Sweeney Todd). He also is the resident scenic artist at the Arden Theatre Company.

Lighting will be provided by Dominic Chacon, a first year graduate student at Temple University who has been designing lights in Philadelphia for four years.

Costume designer Natalia de la Torre previously costumed for Flashpoint’s Feed the Hype. Other credits include Brat Production’s Eye-95: Retarred and Lantern Theatre Company’s Barrymore nominated The Foocy.

Props are by Beth Godfischer, whose ten years in regional theatre include venues such as American Players Theatre in Wisconsin, Delaware Theatre Company and The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Sound designer Andrew Monheim worked with Flashpoint on Feed the Hype, Autobahn, Schoolgirl Figure. Andrew has also worked with Mum Puppetheatre, Irish Repertory Theatre, Theater Catalyst, Azuka, Temple University, The Academy Theatre, BCKSEET Productions, and Luna Theatre Company.

The House of Yes runs October 25 – November 11 at 2nd Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. More information can be found at www.flashpointtheatre.org. Tickets are $15 and $12 (students/seniors) and can be purchased online at Flashpoint's website, or by calling the box office at 215-563-4330. Discounted season subscriptions are also available for only $40.

Flashpoint Theatre Company is dedicated to expanding cultural arts awareness in the greater Philadelphia area through the production of socially provocative and emotionally resonant works of theatre, through the development of educational programming within the community, and through collaboration with new and emerging voices from all artistic disciplines. Founded in 2003, Flashpoint’s first two seasons have included four Philadelphia premieres and one world premiere, and several readings of new plays as part of the High Voltage workshop series. Flashpoint is also an active participant in the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia’s SPARK program and has presented work in both the 2005 and 2006 10-for-10 Festivals. Flashpoint’s 2006-2007 season is sponsored by Philadelphia City Paper and Philly Car Share.

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