O’LEARY DIRECTS NATIONAL PLAYWRITING CONTEST WINNER

WHEELING, W.Va. (January 5, 2009) – Hal O’Leary, a 2008 Wheeling Hall of Fame inductee and recently retired Oglebay Institute artistic director, returns to Towngate Theatre to direct the 2008-09 National Playwriting Contest winner.

Featuring a stellar cast of local actors, the winning play is the substantive comedy “Matches” by California playwright Richard Manley. It will be staged for two weekends- January 16-18 and 22-24.

O’Leary was one of six honorees inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in December. He was honored in the “music and fine arts” category for his four decades of service and success in theatre. Directing and/or acting in more than 300 productions, O’Leary’s name is synonymous with live community theatre in the Upper Ohio Valley. He is the founder of Towngate Theatre and Oglebay Institute’s youth theatre program, and has mentored and inspired thousands of actors and young people interested in theater.

Oglebay Institute’s National Playwriting Contest is O’Leary’s brainchild and one of his proudest efforts. The contest began in 1976 and offers a chance for new writers to get their work produced.

This year’s winning play “Matches” is a witty, literate excursion into the lives of two writers- Derby, a highly praised poet turned recluse, and Mary, a successful, yet lonely, advertising writer. Derby published a highly acclaimed book of poetry, but when his wife was murdered, he moved to Switzerland, giving up on his life and his work. Mary is paid well to “sell soap” and has never met a man who she could love or respect. When Derby’s friend persuades him to return to New York City, he has a few “accidental” and not-so-friendly encounters with Mary in their apartment building. There is a spark between the two, but both are very vulnerable. Can they overcome their fears and get together?

Cast members for the Towngate’s production of “Matches” are: Arlene Merryman as Mary; Butch Maxwell as Derby; John Reilly as Max; Ryan Sears as Ernie, Shelby Garrett as Christine and Annie Kopay as Lucille. Playwright Tom Stobart serves as stage manager.

Fostering theater at its roots, the Oglebay Institute’s Playwriting Contest is respected throughout the national and international artistic community and offers audiences fresh new theatre and a chance to play a part in the very important process of playwriting. O’Leary is invaluable to playwrights as he directs, suggests and assists these new artists in their creative work.

The Towngate Theatre season is proudly sponsored by Whiteside Cadillac Buick Pontiac Chevrolet GMC Trucks.

Towngate’s curtain is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, January 16-17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, January 18. Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 22-24.

Call the Stifel Fine Arts Center at 304.242.7700 to reserve seats for “Matches.” For those buying seats at the door, Towngate’s box office opens one hour before all shows and can be reached at 304.233.4257.

Refreshments are available at Towngate Theatre and parking is curbside or in the nearby Center Wheeling Parking Garage. Located at 2118 Market Street, Wheeling, Towngate is easy to find and located just across the street from St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in the historic Centre Market district of Wheeling.