Photos by B. Russell Photo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2023
Media Contact: Kari Steinbach
(612) 968-7928
Hypnic Jerk Theatre joins with Minneapolis’ oldest running theatre, Theatre in the Round, to present Pulitzer Prize winning play, Wit.
Hypnic Jerk Theatre is returning to the Twin Cities theatre scene after a pandemic hiatus to present Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Wit. The play is a co-production of the relatively new company and one of the oldest running theatres in Minnesota, Theatre in the Round. The play will be performed eight times over 10 days (May 18-27) at Theatre in the Round in Minneapolis. Wit is the story of Vivian Bearing, a professor of 17th century poetry who undergoes an experimental treatment for her stage four cancer. The teacher becomes student and subject as Vivian undergoes an experimental cancer treatment, leading her to consider life and death from both her personal medical journey and through the poetry she studies. Her situation is at once poignant and humorous, as her uncompromising desire for excellence and scholarship has led her to deny her students the comfort and kindness she now seeks from her doctors.
About the script director Kari Steinbach says, “I have long been drawn to Wit’s use of language—both literary language and medical vocabulary—and how they can be used to impede rather than foster communication.” Edson’s play is often used as a teaching tool for medical students, and HJT’s cast has taken part in training with nursing students at Bethel University as well as having consulted with long-time Nursing Professor David Muhovich who has assisted in the technical aspects necessary for the production. Prof. Muhovich also uses the script in his teaching.
The theatre’s company’s name Hypnic Jerk refers to the involuntary twitch that occurs when a person is beginning to fall asleep, often causing them to awaken suddenly for a moment. Hypnic Jerk Theatre’s aim is to jolt audiences into discussion, awareness, and action. The production will include talk back sessions with the director and cast as well as with Prof. Muhovich, and Bridget Ravis, certified hospice and palliative care nurse, specializing in end-of-life care and counseling. These conversations provide the audience the chance to discuss the production with the director and cast, and medical students and professionals the opportunity to discuss their role in end-of-life care and in the dignity of life and death for their patients. The production was funded in part by a gift from Vivien Steinbach, herself both a cancer survivor and victim who passed in 2018 from breast cancer.
Wit performs May 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 pm and May 21 at 2:00 pm at Theatre in the Round in Minneapolis (245 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, 55454). Monday, May 22nd is Pay What You Can Night. The play features Joy Donley, Brian Joyce, Meri Golden, Dominic DeLong-Rogers, Gillian Constable, Ben Qualley, Luke Peterson, Kelly Solberg, and Alex Church. Tickets can be purchased at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36417/production/1148225 .