Pure Confidence Starts Its Run
This week we open the fourth production of our exciting 2007 summer season with the New England Premiere of PURE CONFIDENCE by Carlyle Brown, directed and produced by Vineyard Playhouse Artistic Director MJ Bruder Munafo. One of the favorites of the 2005 Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, PURE CONFIDENCE is a work inspired by historical accounts of African American slave jockeys who raced horses during the latter part of the 19th century. The high stakes world of Civil War era horse racing, slavery and Reconstruction set the stage for this fresh and unexpectedly humorous new play by this promising American playwright.
Both Simon Cato, the brash, smart, and funny jockey, and his horse, “Pure Confidence”, are owned by Colonel Wiley Johnson. Cato proposes to buy his freedom by using his winnings (and his wits). But the arrival of the Civil War changes everything. PURE CONFIDENCE is a surprisingly funny, brave and emotionally moving look at the complexity of race, humanity, love and dignity. Set against the vivid backdrop of fast horses and high stakes betting, PURE CONFIDENCE is an extraordinary tale of human triumphs and failings that explores the true meaning of freedom.
MJ Bruder Munafo, fresh from her highly praised production of THE TEMPEST in the Tisbury Amphitheater, has assembled a cast that boasts a variety of notable credits from both near and far. Los Angleles actor Victor Talmadge will star as Colonel Wiley Johnson. Mr Talmadge appeared as Scar in the Los Angeles production of The Lion King and as The King in the Broadway National tour of The King and I. PURE CONFIDENCE also stars Barry Press, who recently played the role of Niels Bohr in the Publick Theatre’s production of Copenhagen, as well as Boston actress and Berkeley School of Music faculty member A’Lisa D. Miles. The cast also includes Vineyard Playhouse favorites Danny Jensen straight from his performance in The Vineyard Playhouse’s production of THE TEMPEST and Jill Macy who was most recently seen on the Playhouse stage in ISLAND INTERLUDES. The Vineyard Playhouse welcomes to its stage New York actor Tyrone Davis who will make his Playhouse debut in the starring role of Simon Cato.
PURE CONFIDENCE runs August 22nd – September 8th. Performances are at 7:00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. There will be a 3:00 pm matinee performance on Thursday September 6th only.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the New England premiere of this exciting, fresh, and funny new play by one of America’s most up and coming playwrights!

MONDAY NIGHT SPECIAL:
Jenny Allen: One Woman Show, One Night Only!
Seed cheese, chemobrain, and other indignities from the land of illness… The Vineyard Playhouse announces the latest addition to our popular Monday Night Special series with I GOT SICK AND THEN I GOT BETTER, a staged reading of a wry, new one-woman show by writer and performer Jenny Allen. The reading will take place on Monday, August 27th at 7pm at The Vineyard Playhouse and will be followed by a reception with Ms. Allen.
Ms. Allen, along with her husband, cartoonist and writer Jules Feiffer, and their children, has been a long time friend and familiar face around the Playhouse. She has written profiles for Esquire and feature pieces, reviews, and the "Hers" column for The New York Times. She was a staff reporter at the monthly Life and a senior writer for several special editions. She has been a contributing editor at New York, Child, and Real Simple magazines, and is currently a contributing editor at Good Housekeeping. She produces and performs stand-up comedy in New York clubs. Please join us for this very special, one night only performance! Tickets are $40.

SEE YOU AT THE THEATER!