Press Release

Hip hop troupe Universes completes PlayMakers’ second-stage lineup

CHAPEL HILL — PlayMakers Repertory Company announces the return of the innovative hip hop theater troupe Universes Jan. 13-17, 2010.
PlayMakers, the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will present the troupe’s newest stage show, “The Big Bang.” The performance rounds out the next season of PlayMakers’ thought-provoking PRC2 second-stage series. PRC² shows are presented in the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on the UNC campus.
All PRC² performances are also followed by artist-audience discussions. “The Big Bang” will be performed at 8 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. on Jan. 17. Tickets are currently available as part of the theater’s 2009-10 season subscription packages. For more information, call the PlayMakers box office at (919) 962-PLAY (7529).
“The Big Bang” is a magnificent mix of music, drama, poetry and rhythmic movement charting the creative history of the critically acclaimed ensemble. The show includes timely takes on the American landscape from Universes’ hit plays “Slanguage,” “Blue Suite,” “The Last Word” and the group’s latest presentation, “Ameriville,” fresh from its debut at The Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, Ky.

Universes is known for being eloquent, edgy and immensely entertaining. The Los Angeles Times wrote of the New York-based ensemble, “These performers are fierce, funny and bitingly intelligent.” The Village Voice (New York City) says “Their energy and realness is unmatchable.” And The Miami Herald calls them “magnetic performers.”

 The Triangle’s Independent Weekly gave the group’s 2007 show at PlayMakers a rave review, saying these are “folks you’ve got to see and (particularly) hear!”
Based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers is the Carolinas’ premiere resident professional theater. The Drama League of New York has named PlayMakers one of the best regional theaters in America.
Web site: www.playmakersrep.org
2009-2010 season release: http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/2279/107/
PlayMakers contact: Connie Mahan, (919) 428-1744, cmahan@email.unc.edu