FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 5/1/08
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Abbie Brown --304-258-2381

PIECEWORK: READING QUILTS AT THE ICE HOUSE
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV----- Stitching together local writers, actors and quilters, the Morgan Arts Council presents the second annual Piecework -- staged readings of four one-act plays with matching quilts at the Ice House. A ticket to the productions on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 11 at 3pm, brings playgoers not only the pleasure of the productions but a chance to win one of the small quilts created to match each play. The Ice House Gallery and additional rooms are currently hung with more than 50 quilts and wall hangings as part of the annual Delectable Mountains Quilt Show.


Abbie Brown is once again director of the Piecework plays. “I love the concept of have an ongoing event and that it is growing. Last year no one knew about it and this year people came forward with plays and asked to perform,” says Brown. “The quilters love doing it.”


Featured in the staged readings are regulars from the Ice House Theater Project including Jane McCloud, Sharon Carpenter-Rose and Charles Balkan. Mother, daughter and son combo takes the stage in the form of Diane Godman and her children Emma and Quinten. Ed Chafee returns from his debut in “Hamlet,” while Sally Purcell performs for the first time. Tamme Marggraf who was recently cast in the upcoming “Crimes of the Heart” delivers a one-woman performance. Zach Ziler and Logan Smailes provide technical support.


The first play is "The Last Pearl of Morgan County" written by Jeanne Mozier with a quilt by Phyllis Hagstead. It presents more than a dozen eccentric members of the Pearl family through the pieces of a crazy quilt. Bea Jakubowski’s "In Search of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker" brings back Betty and Donna still bickering and once again lost in the woods without their vodka. There is a special appearance by the bear Bottom. A bear paw quilt was made by Portia Lyall for this play. "Quick! It’s in the Quilt" by Ami Vermillion is a magical story about a wizard who appears when an old quilt is shaken and provides a family with the means to save their house from being sold for taxes. Marilyn Moser made the quilt for "Quick! " The final play is "Star Spangled Banner" by Rick Vance whose wife Lynn made the accompanying quilt. Vance’s story includes outhouses, George Washington and a young girl who discovers a quilt with a secret. “This is Rick’s first play,” said Brown. “He appeared last year to play accompaniment for an Ice House production.”


Extra raffle tickets will be available at each performance and winners must be present. No reservations will be taken; first come, first served seating only. The Quilt Show may be seen at the Ice House Gallery from 11am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. It hangs through June 1. For more information call 304-258-2300 or visit online at www.macicehouse.org