RENEGADE THEATRE EXPERIMENT presents the WORLD PREMIERE of Conserving Melissa by Tom Jacobson

Based on a true story, Conserving Melissa follows the story of Cherise, a museum art conservator, whose wealthy, restaurateur boyfriend Gunnar makes an engagement gift of a mummy in need of serious restoration. With nowhere else to take the unfinished project, she sets about conserving the mummy next to her bed in her studio apartment. Consumed with the mummy, which she names Melissa," Cherise drifts away from her fiancé and toward professional and sexual obsession. The farcical complications reach their peak with the arrival of a sexy woman who may or may not be the reincarnation of Melissa.

(PRWEB) July 6, 2004 -- Following multiple sold-out performances, exclusively enthusiastic critical reception, and audience excitement for the first two shows of the season (Macbeth and Goner), Renegade Theatre Experiment (RTE) proudly wraps up" its 2004 season with the World Premiere of Tom Jacobsons Conserving Melissa, a sexy comedy about romantic obsession and mummies.

Based on a true story, Conserving Melissa follows the story of Cherise, a museum art conservator, whose wealthy, restaurateur boyfriend Gunnar makes an engagement gift of a mummy in need of serious restoration. With nowhere else to take the unfinished project, she sets about conserving the mummy next to her bed in her studio apartment. Consumed with the mummy, which she names Melissa," Cherise drifts away from her fiancé and toward professional and sexual obsession. The farcical complications reach their peak with the arrival of a sexy woman who may or may not be the reincarnation of Melissa.

Playwright Tom Jacobson (Tainted Blood, Beloved Disciple, Cyberqueer), one of L.A.s most prolific writers having written more than 50 plays, befriended RTE when he took in a friends play last year: I greatly enjoyed Renegade Theatre Experiments production of Avery Croziers Eat the Runt last year, so I was delighted when RTE expressed interest in the world premiere production of Conserving Melissa. RTE is a theatre company that is not afraid to take risks, and Im happy to jump off a cliff with them."

Jacobson has collaborated regularly with the plays director (Megan Murphy) and cast, attending readings and rehearsals to shape the final product. Happily, Jacobson likes what he sees. Conserving Melissa is one of my sexiest comedies ever, and this hot cast amps things up further still." The play, he hastens to point out, has a serious undercurrent about the mystery in each of us."

Murphy adds, I think every individual wants to be consumed by passion whether through a relationship, a ritual, or a project; everyone wants to be carried away. Cherise is a perfect example. She wants magic and mystery, wants the inspiration to discover new and fascinating things. And the audience gets to watch this woman figure out what will satisfy and excite her."

Conserving Melissa previews on July 29, and runs July 30-August 1, 5-8, 12-13, and closes on August 14. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 8:00pm, and Sunday matinees at 2pm at Benson Theatre, on the Bellarmine College Preparatory campus.

Tickets for Conserving Melissa are $15.00 General Admission (Thursdays and Sundays) and $18.00 General Admission (Fridays and Saturdays). Students and teachers, seniors, and Theatre Bay Area members qualify for discount tickets ($10/$12) with valid ID.

The Renegade Theatre Experiment (RTE) was founded in 2001 to bring edgy and entertaining new shows to the San José theatre community.

PUBLICITY PHOTOS: http://www.renegadetheatre.com/press/index.html

CONTACT: Whitney Stebbins

(408) 351-4440

wstebbins@renegadetheatre.com

AN INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

Renegade Theatre Experiment proudly invites you

to attend our preview performance of

the World Premiere of Conserving Melissa.

Conserving Melissa by Tom Jacobson

July 29, 2004

Benson Theatre

895 Emory Avenue

(corner of Elm St. and Emory Ave.)

San José, CA 95126.

8:00 PM

This is a public preview with a paying audience

MEDIA RESPONSE TO RTE, EAT THE RUNT, MACBETH, and GONER

Renegade Theatre Experiment:

It's already obvious from its résumé that Renegade Theatre Experiment is living up to its name, and to its mission of presenting unique works away from the mainstream." [Heather Zimmerman, Rose Garden Resident; June 5, 2003

These self-professed renegades bring a new toy to town with some very serious talent in the wings." [W. Fred Crow, Milpitas Post; June 4, 2003

Eat the Runt by Avery Crozier (Producer: RTE):

The Renegade Theatre Experiment's company of actors lived up to their name..." [Marianne Messina, San José Metro; June 19, 2003

Macbeth, by William Shakespeare (Produced in partnership with City Lights Theatre Company):

...gave the audience an eye appealing and provocative banquet from which to feast..." [W. Fred Crow, Milpitas Post, April 22, 2004

[Macbeth offers a rare theatre moment in the form of one hair-raising cross slice that makes you wonder, 'Is he OK? Thats good action" [Marianne Messina, San José Metro, April 28, 2004

Goner, by Brian Parks (Producer: RTE):

The Renegade Theatre Experiment hit its stride with the West Coast premiere of Brian Parks' wacky and completely off-the-wall nonsense, titled "Goner." Irreverent and impossible, this production, presenting dark, wry, edgy humor, is akin to an over-caffeinated escapee from the local loony bin. This no-intermission offering is satire at its best." [W. Fred Crow, Milpitas Post, June 24, 2004

FACT SHEET

RENEGADE THEATRE EXPERIMENT presents

the WORLD PREMIERE of

Conserving Melissa by Tom Jacobson

WHO: Renegade Theatre Experiment - San José-based theatre company with Bay Area cast. Cast: Axel Parker, Maria Piccininni, Blythe Thomas, and Christian Thomas. Directed by Megan Murphy.

WHAT: A spooky romantic comedy about love, passion, obsession, and cursed mummies.

WHY: Be the first in the world to experience this funny romantic comedy cursed with confusion.

WHEN: July 29 (Pay-What-You-Can Preview) July 30-August 1, 5-8, 12-14. Thursday thru Saturday performances will begin at 8:00 PM. Sunday matinee performances will begin at 2pm.

WHERE: Benson Theatre, at Bellarmine College Preparatory. 895 Emory Avenue, San José, CA 95126. General Seating.

PRICE: Ticket Prices:

Thurs & Sun: $15.00 General Admission

$10.00 Student/Educator/Senior/TBA Discount Admission

Fri & Sat: $18.00 General Admission

$12.00 Student/Educator/Senior/TBA Discount Admission

Tickets available online (www.renegadetheatre.com) and at the door.

PUBLICITY PHOTOS: http://www.renegadetheatre.com/press/index.html

CONTACT: Whitney Stebbins

(408) 351-4440

wstebbins@renegadetheatre.com

RENEGADE HISTORY

Committed to forward-thinking performance, Renegade Theatre Experiment builds creative partnerships with aspiring and established artists to bring unique, outstanding theatre to the Bay Area. Founded in 2001, when a group of alumni from Santa Clara University joined together to develop as actors, RTE continues to explore the human experience through established and fresh performance works which break with convention.

RTEs artistic and critical successes have included Hear me Roar: Women's Images of Self - an exploration of women's body image and self-worth in American culture, Avery Crozier's Eat the Runt, and Wendy MacLeods Sin. Renegade produced the first North American production of the critically acclaimed show, The Dice House by Paul Lucas.

RTE continued in its tradition of brining exceptional, avant-garde productions to the South Bay by kicking off its 2004 season with William Shakespeares darkest and edgiest piece, Macbeth. Obsession, betrayal, witchcraft, and murder drive this blood soaked tale of ambition.

This was followed by the West Coast Premiere of Goner by Brian Parks, a frenetic black comedy that combines political intrigue, hospital drama, and screwball comedy resulting in a piece that The Milpitas Post (June 24, 2004) described as Irreverent and impossible, this production, presenting dark, wry, edgy humor, is akin to an over-caffeinated escapee from the local loony bin. This no-intermission offering is satire at its best."

The season finishes strongly with the World Premiere of Tom Jacobsons Conserving Melissa, a seriocomic piece about a conservator's obsession with the Egyptian mummy she's restoring threatens her impending marriage in this funny romance cursed with confusion. You never really know someone till they're dead....

www.renegadetheatre.com