Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company Presents GOATS

Journey with a 20-something guy from Chicago on a pilgrimage to self-discovery in a new comedy set with 160 goats in the mountains outside of Jerusalem. This young man has been backpacking through Europe when he finds himself in need of a job and begins to work for a cheesemaker. Each day he treks into the mountains where he must wrestle and wrangle with the goats, and each night he struggles to understand the language of a cheesemaker who barely speaks. Colorful characters contribute to the backdrop of this nearly unbelievable yet true, poignant, coming-of-age story. A hit in a shorter version at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2004, this solo piece is a story not-to-be-missed.

Goats by Alan Berks will receive its area premiere at the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) March 5-27, 2011. Playwright Alan Berks is the author of ten full-length plays, six one-acts, and numerous short plays and monologues that have been seen in Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Indianapolis, and New York. Goats was seen in Phoenix, Indianapolis, Chicago, and New York where it was nominated for a New York Innovative Theater Award. He co-created and co-produced Thirst Theater from 2004-2007. Alan created and edits Minnesota's performing arts website MinnesotaPlaylist.com. He is also the Director of Communications at Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis.

Goats is a solo piece that will feature Ryan M. Lindberg. Ryan was most recently seen by MJTC audiences as David O. Selznick in Moonlight and Magnolias last season. Previously, he appeared in MJTC productions of Modern Orthodox and The Twilight of the Golds. Other stage credits include Guthrie Theater, Gremlin Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Illusion Theater, Walking Shadow, and Milwaukee Shakespeare. Ryan hails from Apple Valley, MN, and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota / Guthrie Theater BFA Actors Training Program.

Goats is directed by Michael Kissin. Michael has been working in the Twin Cities for over 20 years as a director, actor, writer, and college educator. He directed Talley's Folly at MJTC, and was seen at MJTC as Larry Levin in Boychik. Mike is a long-time member of Mixed Blood Theatre where he directed How to Improve Your Golf Game and A Jew on Ethiopia Street to name a few. Other directing credits include Park Square Theatre, Theatre in the Round, Theatre L'Homme Dieu, and Minneapolis Community & Technical College.

Goats opens March 5, 2011 and plays through March 27, 2011 with performances on Saturdays at 8 pm and Sunday at 1 pm and 7 pm. Ticket prices are Saturdays $26; Sundays at 1 pm $22; and Sundays at 7 pm $18. Group discounts are available. For ticket reservations call 651-647-4315 Monday through Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm.

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company is a non-profit organization now in its 16th year of presenting professional productions rooted in the Jewish experience and illuminating The Common humanity among us all. The audience for MJTC is almost equally divided between Jews and non-Jews. For further information about MJTC, call 651-647-4315 or visit our website at www.mnjewishtheatre.org. Join our Facebook family at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Paul-MN/Minnesota-Jewish-Theatre-Company/44432069548?sk=wall.

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