Rider Theatre Presents Machinal February 25 through March 1

Rider Theatre will present Sophie Treadwell’s play Machinal in the Yvonne Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., Feb. 25 through March 1.  A preview performance will be Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m., and performances will be Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. The production, directed by Miriam Mills, will be performed by Rider University students.

Inspired by one of the most famous murder cases of the early 20th century, Machinal brings the tortured world of convicted murderer Ruth Snyder to life. This expressionistic play examines the limitations of women trapped by responsibilities and their doomed quest for an impossible freedom. In England, Machinal won the Olivier Award and in New York it was nominated for four Tony Awards.

“Expressionistic simply means that the play is somehow distorted by presenting characters from a subjective perspective,” says Mills.  “In this case the play is written from the point of view of the wife. The chorus/muses/furies are not written into this script. I have added these dancers for theatrical effect and to provide a glimpse into the mind of our protagonist.”

Miriam Mills has directed more than 100 shows nationally included productions of Extremities, The Pillowman, Rent and Sweet Charity. She has twice received the Kennedy Center ACTF Meritorious Directing Award for Excellence in Directing for her productions of The Pillowman and The Misanthrope. She is active in the Association for Theater in Higher Education and currently serves as the director of the Acting Program for the national association.  Ms. Mills is an active voice-over artist and her New York acting credits include leads in such productions as Romeo and Juliet, Hotel Baltimore and Company.

Rider University’s Theatre program has a rich tradition of preparing students for successful careers in all aspects of the theatre. Graduates of the program are working with national theatre companies, in film and on television. Our campus productions have earned critical praise for more than 50 years and offer the community the opportunity to see aspiring actors in the early stages of their careers.

Tickets for the Machinal performances are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online at www.rider.edu/arts. General admission preview tickets are $9 and are only available at the door.