LITTLE LAMB
Written by Michael Whistler
Directed by Seth Rozin
Featuring Cathy Simpson, Frank X, Kaci M. Fannin, Ames Adamson & Katrina Yvette Cooper
May 29 – June 28, 2009

InterAct Theatre Company closes its 2008/2009 Season with LITTLE LAMB, which has its Opening Night on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. LITTLE LAMB is a new drama by Philadelphia playwright Michael Whistler that was commissioned last year by InterAct Theatre Company as part of its 20/20 New Play Commission program. Showing how faith and culture collide when family values are at stake, LITTLE LAMB tells the story of Cathy, an adoption agent who is forced to choose between her progressive values, her African-American heritage and her devout Christian beliefs, when her placement of a black baby girl with a white/latino mixed-race gay couple is unexpectedly called into question by the child’s birthmother.

ABOUT THE PLAY
The first fully-produced play to come out of InterAct’s new 20/20 New Play Commission program, LITTLE LAMB tells the story of Denny and José, a white/latino mixed-race gay couple who want to be daddies, so they decide to adopt. They ask their adoption agent, Cathy, to help them procure a baby. Trusting her inital instincts that they would make great parents, Cathy finds Denny and José an African-American baby girl and the happy family begins its new life together. But when Cathy receives an unexpected visit from the birthmother, who has strong opinions about the placement of her daughter, Denny and José must face the unthinkable and Cathy is forced to choose between her progressive values, her African-American heritage, and her devout Christian beliefs.

LITTLE LAMB is written by up-and-coming Philadelphia playwright Michael Whistler, who currently teaches theatre at Montgomery County Community College and whose previous works include THE F*GGOT MUSEUM (*...AN EVENING OF GAY MEN WHO TALK TOO MUCH), PHIDIAS8, THE MAN WHO PAINTED BOSIE and CASSE NOISETTE: A FAIRY BALLET. In a recent interview with InterAct Literary Director Rebecca Wright, Mr. Whistler described his inspiration behind LITTLE LAMB, “I started thinking about the ideas in this play shortly after the election of 2004. As a gay man, raised in a very open, loving, supportive - and very Christian - family, I was surprised to discover what sway the Fundamentalist and Conservative Christian base had in the re-election of George Bush. … I didn’t start out to write a play about Gay adoption, but I when I heard that Karl Rove had orchestrated a careful campaign to win voters based on these issues … I saw that the situation of a gay couple adopting an African American child could press these issues and allow me to look at them in a dramatic format.”

Throughout the course of the play LITTLE LAMB addresses a number of large issues, such the right of gays to adopt; stereotypes in the Latino, African American and gay communities; and the balacing act devout Christians must master to successfully live in a secular world. It handles each in a surprisingly fair and balanced way. When asked about the callenges involved of writing rich, full characters from such differing backgrounds, Mr. Whistler responds, “I did a lot of research to try and understand what each of the characters holds dear… For me, the important journey was to discover what the definition of “right” and “fair” was for each of the characters, and to allow them to stand their ground for what they believe. … What other type of play is there to write, if the worlds don’t collide? … That’s what makes drama, the collisions.”

To read an interview with the playwright in its entirety or an excerpt of the script of LITTLE LAMB, visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

ABOUT THE 20/20 NEW PLAY COMMISSION PROGRAM
Michael Whistler’s LITTLE LAMB is the first play to come out of InterAct’s 20/20 New Play Commission program and receive a full production in InterAct’s main stage season Now in its second year, the 20/20 New Play Commission program is an ambitious initiative that was established with the goal of awarding twenty new play commissions over a period of six seasons to playwrights who are addressing the issues society will face over the next twenty years. The program was developed to support the creation of new work that fits into InterAct’s mission of producing plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. Awards range from $2,500 developmental grants, which are given to works already in progress, to $5,000 - $10,000 new play commissions, which go to new, previously or substantially unwritten plays. In addition to Michael Whistler’s LITTLE LAMB, the 2008 recipients of a 20/20 New Play Commission included Lee Blessing for WHEN WE GO UPON THE SEA, which will be produced by InterAct during the upcoming 2009/2010 Season; Tom Coash for VEILS; an untitled new work by Eric Pfeffinger; Elaine Romero for THE DALAI LAMA ISN’T WELCOME HERE. Announced in April 2009, current recipients include Kara Lee Corthron for an untitled new play; Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig for LIDLESS, who also recently won the 2009 Yale Drama Series award in playwriting; Peter Gil-Sheridan for RITU COMES HOME; Sean Christopher Lewis for THE ROAD TO EDEN.

For more information about each of the commissioned plays or to find out how to make a donation in support of the 20/20 New Play Commission program, visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

DATES, TIMES & TICKETS
LITTLE LAMB runs for 28 performances, May 29 – June 28, 2009, with preview performances May 29, 30 (matinee & evening), 31 & June 2, and Opening Night on Wednesday, June 3. Performances during InterAct Theatre Company's 2008/2009 Season are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a special one-time-only Saturday matinee preview performance on May 30 at 2:00 p.m.. All performances are held on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA.

Tickets for individual performances, which are on sale now, are $15.00 for preview performances; $24.00 for performances Tuesdays through Thursdays; and $28.00 for performances Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. InterAct offers discounts for senior citizens and full-time students (with valid I.D.). Group rates are available, and students with proper I.D. may purchase Rush Tickets for $10.00 five minutes before curtain (based on availability). Reservations or more information can be obtained by calling 215-568-8079, by dropping by the InterAct Theatre Company box office at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, or by visiting InterAct Theatre Company's website at www.InterActTheatre.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS DURING LITTLE LAMB
During the run of LITTLE LAMB, InterAct will host several post-performance talk-backs to encourage further discussion on the issues raised by the play. Speaker Sundays, a series featuring invited scholars, community leaders and artists, are scheduled to follow matinee performances on Sunday, June 7, 14 and 21. Coffee Conversations, an informal discussion with the production's artists and designers, are scheduled to follow performances on Tuesday, June 9; Wednesday, June 10; Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17.

Current line-up of guest speakers:

Sunday, June 7: Post-show discussion featuring Mark Isaksen & Daniel Walth, a couple whose adoption process closely mirrored that of Denny & José in LITTLE LAMB

Sunday, June 14: Post-show discussion featuring Dr. Salman Akhtar, Professor of Psychiatry at Jefferson University

Sunday, June 21: Post-show discussion featuring Abby Ruder, Certified Marriage & Family Therapist, specializing in Adoption Information and Support Services, who consulted during the script development process of LITTLE LAMB

For an up-to-the-minute schedule of talk-back guests, visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

Other Special Events:

Saturday, May 30: Special One-Time-Only Saturday Matinee at 2:00 p.m.

Friday, June 12: Happy Hour reception at 7:00 p.m. Patrons under 30 years of age only pay $20.00 for reception and a ticket to the LITTLE LAMB performance. Proof of age required.

RELEVENT BIOGRAPHIES
Michael Whistler (Playwright)’s previous works for the stage include: THE F*GGOT MUSEUM (*...AN EVENING OF GAY MEN WHO TALK TOO MUCH) (Theatre Off-Jackson, Seattle; Theatre Catalyst, Philadelphia; HOT! Festival, Dixon Place, NY); PHIDIAS8 (National Showcase of New Plays, Philadelphia; Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis); THE MAN WHO PAINTED BOSIE (Hedgerow Theatre, Media); HIDDEN RIVERS ( Montgomery County Community College) and CASSE NOISETTE: A FAIRY BALLET. Mr. Whistler is a Philadelphia resident who has performed as an actor locally and nationally, he currently teaches theatre on faculty at Montgomery County Community College, and holds an MFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

To read an interview with Michael Whistler, playwright of LITTLE LAMB, visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

Seth Rozin (Director) co-founded InterAct Theatre Company in 1988, and has since served as Producing Artistic Director. He has directed over 40 productions for InterAct, including Israel Horovitz's LEBENSRAUM (1999 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, and Outstanding Ensemble), IT'S ALL TRUE (2001 Barrymore nominations for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Overall Production), and PERMANENT COLLECTION (2004 Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Overall Production). He has twice been named "Best Director" by the Philadelphia Inquirer for the world premiere of Thomas Gibbons' 6221 in 1993 and for LEBENSRAUM. Other notable productions with InterAct include the world premieres of Thomas Gibbons' BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE, BLACK RUSSIAN and A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS; Larry Loebell’s HOUSE, DIVIDED; and the Philadelphia premieres of SKIN IN FLAMES, BLUE/ORANGE, NIXON'S NIXON, AUNT DAN AND LEMON, LONELY PLANET, SEASCAPE, and GOD'S COUNTRY. Seth has also directed for the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, Blue Heron Theatre and the 45th Street Theatre in New York, as well as regionally with Act II Playhouse, Venture Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival, and the University of Pennsylvania. As a playwright, Seth is the recipient of two fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, as well as The Smith Prize for his play BLACK GOLD. MEN OF STONE and MISSING LINK garnered Barrymore Award nominations for Outstanding New Play in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Seth has served on funding and/or award panels for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Theatre Communications Group, and the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist. He has served on the Boards of the Women's Theatre Festival, Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, New Paradise Laboratories, Fresh Visions Youth Theatre, and the National New Play Network (for which he served as Chair from 2002-2006).

Cathy Simpson (as Francie) returns to InterAct after having appeared in BETWEEN MEN & CATTLE, BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE and 6221. Cathy recently appeared in her hometown of St. Louis, MO, where she performed in critically-acclaimed productions of A SONG FOR CORETTA and THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF MY WISHES at the St. Louis Black Rep. Her most recent Philadelphia credits include PLTCo’s Barrymore award-winning, SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, Arden Theatre Co.’s SLEEPING BEAUTY, and the Wilma Theater’s EURIDYCE by Sara Rhule. This past year, Cathy appeared in one Indie film - Sweaty Robot Production’s Happy Birthday Harris Malden - and two PBS episodes of Maple Ave. and Outreach Production’s series “On The Street Where You Live.” Cathy is a three-time Barrymore nominee and a winner for Freedom Theatre’s THE OLD SETTLER and has twice been nominated for the Helen Hayes Awards in Washington D.C.

Frank X (as José) marks his 11th production at InterAct Theatre Company with LITTLE LAMB, most recently as Molina in InterAct’s production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Earlier this year, he was seen in THE WINTER’S TALE at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. Orginally trained as a dancer and playwright, Frank has performed widely throughout the Philadelphia area with such institutions as the Latnern Theatre (OTHELLO, MASTER HAROLD… AND THE BOYS), Theatre Exile (RHINOCEROS) and Azuke Theatre (FOUR). Mr. X received a Barrymore Award for his performance in InterAct’s production of LONELY PLANET.

Kaci M. Fannin (as Cathy) returns to InterAct after appearing last season in BLACK GOLD. Kaci’s was recently seen locally in Walnut Street Theatre’s CRIMINAL HEARTS. Her New York credits include productions by Cherry Lane, Henry Street Settlement, Producer’s Club and The Billie Holiday Theatre, to name a few. She’s also performed at The Kitchen Theatre (Ithaca, NY), Fulton Opera House (Lancaster, PA) and Lee Strausberg Theatre (L.A.). As a filmaker, Kaci is currently producing an original animation project and serving as Associate Producer on the feature-length documentary Drama Mamas. Kaci spent seven years in Los Angeles, where she developed a successful voice-over career and an extensive body of work as a commercial, television and film actress.

Ames Adamson (as Denny) makes his InterAct Theatre Company and Philadelphia debut in LITTLE LAMB. At New Jersey Repertory Company, a fellow member (along with InterAct) of the National New Play Network, Ames has appeared in seven productions, most recently as G.B. Shaw in ENGAGING SHAW. Ames’ other recent regional credits include THE MOUSETRAP and ON GOLDEN POND at the Arrow Rock Lyceum, KING LEAR at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and CIRCUMFERENCE OF A SQUIRREL at The Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Ames is a resident of Historic Germantown and also West Exeter, NY. For more information, visit www.amesdamson.com.

Katrina Yvette Cooper (as Ashlee) makes her InterAct Theatre Company debut in LITTLE LAMB. A native of Harrisburg, PA, Katrina received her training from Temple University’s undergraduate theatre program. Her recent credits include OUR TOWN and THE PIANO LESSON at Arden Theatre Co., SWEETIE PIE at Azuka Theatre Co., THE BLUEST EYE at New Freedom Rep., as well as MOJO: A BLACK LOVE STORY, OUR LADY OF 121st STREET and TERRORISM at Temple University Theatre Department.

The design team for LITTLE LAMB includes Set & Lighting Design by Peter Whinnery, Costume Design by Loyce Arthur and Sound Design by Shannon Zura. The production will be Stage Managed by Joshua Lieberman, with Rebecca Wright serving as Dramaturg, Kia Feindt serving as Assistant Director, Jessica Hurley as Assistant Stage Manager and Britt Plunkett as Technical Director.

ABOUT INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
Founded in 1988, InterAct is a theatre for today's world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. InterAct's aim is to educate, as well as entertain, its audiences, by producing world-class, thought-provoking productions, and by using theatre as a tool to foster positive social change. Through its artistic and educational programs, InterAct seeks to make a significant contribution to the cultural life of Philadelphia and to the American theatre. To date, InterAct has presented 64 main stage productions, including 25 world premieres, 2 U.S. premieres, and more than 30 Philadelphia premieres. The company has received 37 Barrymore Award nominations and 13 Awards. InterAct's main stage productions have provided work for over 500 local artists.

In addition to the 4-play mainstage season, InterAct Theatre’s major programming includes InterAction, an award-winning program of experiential workshops and residencies in area schools that utilize theatre as a tool to illuminate pressing social problems in the community; New Play Development, working closely with playwrights to develop plays that adhere to the company's mission; Writing Aloud, an award-winning series of Monday evening events in which short fiction by the region's best writers is read aloud by professional actors; and the Kaki Marshall Arts and Community Award, an annual fundraising event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the lively arts in Philadelphia.

Due to the nature of live theatre, play selection, performance and casting are subject to change.