Blood Brothers Opens on U of M Mainstage on November 12

For release: November 4, 2009
For press information, contact Alice Berry (901) 678-3184

Blood Brothers, a musical by Willy Russell, opens on the U of M Mainstage on November 12 at 8 p.m. Additional shows are November 13,14 and 19-21 at  8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $15. For ticket information call the box office at (901) 678-2576. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Blood Brothers is a musical about twin brothers who were separated at birth but find their lives intersect as they grow into adulthood. Set in a world steeped in superstition and class conflict, this Tony Award nominated musical explores the ties that bind mothers, children and lovers. Wildly successful in London's West End, where it opened in 1988 and still runs today, 21 years later.

Emily Wells, third year MFA student, has wanted to direct Blood Brothers for many years.  "I heard about it's popularity with London audiences and it made me wonder if a play contextualized in the United Kingdom's class structure could have the same impact on an American audience," Wells says. Earlier this year, Wells directed Third and Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Circuit Playhouse; Third was nominated for seven Ostrander awards and was honored for Best Dramatic Production. 
"At the heart of the play, nature opposes nurture in a conflict that has fascinated philosophers and scientists for centuries,"  Wells notes. "Therein lies the power of Blood Brothers." 

Blood Brothers features a cast of 12. Many of the cast members have been seen on Memphis' stages before, such as recent U of M graduate Jason Lee Blank, seniors Dylan Atkins, Shaheerah Farrakhan, Jade Hobbs, Falon Jones, Chris McCollum, Matthew Schmidt, junior Cameron Yates, sophomore Sean Carter, and freshmen Shakiera Adams, Bruce Huffman, and Katelyn Nichols.