BAKERSFIELD MIST
by Stephen Sachs
directed by Peter Bisgaier
WHEN: April 13-22, 2018. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sundays at 2:00pm; and Wednesday at 10:00am
WHERE: West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Rd., Princeton Junction
TICKETS: $22-26 and can be purchased online at www.PegasusTheatreNJ.org or by calling 609.759.0045
Pegasus Theatre Project, the professional resident theatre company of the West Windsor Arts Council, will present Bakersfield Mist.
In its 2018 Season, Pegasus Theatre Project is exploring the theme of how we establish a human connection with those who have vastly different values, beliefs and lifestyles; those whose truth is vastly different from our own. It’s a season about finding commonality amidst divisiveness and discordance, starting with Stephen Sachs’ searing, clever and often funny drama, Bakersfield Mist.
Bakersfield Mist uses art as the catalyst to bring together unemployed bartender, Maude Gutman, and eminent NY art expert, Lionel Percy. When Maude comes to believe a painting she bought at a thrift store is really an undiscovered Jackson Pollock, she thinks she’s struck it rich! But when Lionel arrives at her trailer to evaluate the painting, it results in an afternoon neither one of them ever expected. Inspired by true events, Bakersfield Mist is a culture clash that’s messier than a Jackson Pollock, but just as thrilling! (Left: Rupert Hinton and Donne Petito as Lionel Percy and Maude Gutman in Bakersfield Mist. )
There are several events scheduled to complement the show.
- Following the opening night performance on April 13 will be a wine and cheese reception during which audience members can mingle with the cast and production team.
- Following the matinee performance on Sunday, April 15, there will be a talkback session with the cast and creative team.
- On Saturday, April 21, there will be a wine and cheese reception held before the show at 6:30pm when audience members can browse the exhibit and mingle with each other.
- Pegasus is also happy to offer their first midweek matinee open to the public on Wednesday, April 18 at 10:00am, followed by a talkback session with the cast and creative team.
In connection with Pegasus Theatre Project’s production of Bakersfield Mist, the theme for the West Windsor Arts Council’s annual Member Show is Abstraction. The exhibit displays 32 works of art from local artists selected by Juror Carol Cruickshanks from nearly 140 that were submitted. The resulting exhibition features an interesting mix of approaches to the theme of Abstraction, while also showcasing the incredible talent of the Arts Council’s members.
Bakersfield Mist features Donne Petito (Hopewell) and Rupert Hinton (Princeton). The creative team includes: Direction by Peter Bisgaier (Princeton Jct.), Dramaturgy by Jonathan A. Martin (East Windsor), Set Design by Rachel Langely (New York, NY), Lighting Design by Robert Rutt (Brick), Costume Design by Chrissy Johnson (East Windsor), Technical Direction by Jeff Branin (Bordentown), Master Carpentry by Dylan Harris (Hightstown), Stage Management by Victoria Kaiser (East Windsor), and Assistant Stage Management by Megan Haltmeier (Bordentown).
