National Premiere of Muriel’s Memoirs September 4, 2009

The 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company

presents the National Premiere of

Muriel’s Memoirs

by Christina Hamlett

Directed by Maru Garcia

For those who have known her the longest, the unflappable persona that was once Dr. Muriel Morrison is only a faint glimmer in the fragile shell of an addled septuagenarian now struggling with Alzheimer’s. Muriel’s condition has clearly bred a state of contempt by her daughter, Claire, and fostered an unrealistic sense of duty in younger sibling, Becca. Becca, an aspiring writer, has moved back home to not only oversee her beloved mother’s care but also to record as many of the older woman’s memories as she can while Muriel is still lucid. Friction erupts when Claire – long estranged from both of them – accuses Becca of trying to profit from the journal's content. When an accident forces the battling pair to engage the services of a home health care worker, it turns out to be the former floor nurse at the hospital where Muriel once practiced. Becca views Stella as a comforting godsend. Claire’s escalating antagonism toward the woman, however, masks the deeper fear that Stella’s presence might be just enough of a catalyst to destroy their lives forever.

The newly formed 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company presents the National Premiere of “Muriel’s Memoirs” September 4 to October 4 at the 73rd. Avenue Playhouse, 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 adult; $16 seniors and students and available by calling 720-276-6936 or emailing the73rd.avecompany@yahoo.com.

The cast, under the direction of Maru Garcia, features Lorraine Scott, Jessica Mason, Clara Evans, Geri Crawley.

Former actress and theater director Christina Hamlett is an award winning author and professional script consultant whose credits include 25 books, 125 plays and musicals, 5 optioned features, and hundreds of articles on the performing arts, humor, health, travel, and how to's that appear throughout the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Her latest book, "Movie Girl" (Outskirts Press) is the launch title of a new humor fiction series targeted to teen/tween girls.

Hamlett is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, where her degree in Communications led to stints in all aspects of media, including cable television, radio mystery theater, and fundraising campaigns. She was also the manager and director of The Hamlett Players, a touring repertory company that not only provided performance opportunities for new actors but took original stage plays into communities not served by traditional theater arts organizations. She credits her mentor, the late Sylvia Burack, for her ongoing love of--and commitment to--the live theater experience. In addition to continuing to pen one-acts for PLAYS, INC., she has won awards for her full-length scripts and participated in living history programs through the California Governor's Mansion, Sutter's Fort, and Southern California's Heritage Square.

Christina and her husband, insurance industry executive Mark Webb reside in Pasadena, California and are currently collaborating on several book and film projects.

Listing/PSA

The 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company presents “Muriel’s Memoirs” - Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m. $18 adult; $16 seniors and students. Call 720-276-6936 or email the73rd.avecompany@yahoo.com - 73rd. Avenue Playhouse, 7287 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030.