For Immediate Release: October 31, 2005
Media Contact: Cheryl Lukeski, Hotel Obligado, 215.525.4258

In a new play about one woman's exceptional battle with dementia, actor and playwright Robin Marcotte uses original music, mask performance, aerial work, and shadow dancing to usher audiences into a mind overwhelmed.

Marcotte was inspired to create DOTTIE after uncovering the fascinating tales surrounding his own grandmother's quiet battle with dementia. "My family watched her struggle hard to keep herself in a grounded normality. All the while, imaginary friends in mirrors were appearing to her on a pretty constant basis." In Marcotte's play, Dottie is a shy and timid woman transformed by mental illness, chasing her memories until there is a new possibility for life.

"I'm hoping that Dottie will present the disease in a new light," adds Marcotte. With the help of Dr. Mark McClurg, a physician who works with older adults in Northeast Philadelphia, Marcotte has been studying what happens in the minds of people suffering from dementia in order to explore how they perceive the world.

Although most of the action in DOTTIE takes place on the ground, there is one particularly moving scene set on a specially designed aerial apparatus. "Robin has always been passionate about bringing the beauty of aerial work to his pieces," says Dawn Falato, Director. "What is unique about him, though, is that he tells a fascinating story using text, dance, music, mask performance and, of course, flying. This will be a real tour de force for him."

Marcotte, who will play the part of Dottie as well as several other characters, studied trapeze in Eureka, CA, where he also graduated from the Dell Arte School of Physical Theatre. He then continued aerial arts training in both Boulder, CO and Philadelphia, and was subsequently honored in 2002 with the Rocky Award for Dance Performance and Choreography for Equus. For the same show, he received a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Play. In addition, Marcotte is an accomplished singer, who also penned the lyrics for Dottie's original song, "What Today?"

Other contributors to the production include award-winning mask designer Aaron Cromie, who built the masks Marcotte uses in the show. Simon Harding of the critically acclaimed Montreal-based theater company Sabooge designed the lighting and set. Tim Gray from Eureka, California's Dell Arte Theater Company has composed original music for the production. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's own Brad Helm has built the aerial-ready set-pieces.

Hotel Obligado, the theater company producing the new work, will present a special showing of Dottie for up to 80 audience members at 2pm on November 6th, specifically for people with family members and friends suffering from dementia. This free performance will be followed by a discussion of the questions the play brings to light, moderated by Dr. McClurg or one of his colleagues.

Performance Summary

Artist/Show Title: DOTTIE
Location: Mum Puppettheatre 115 Arch St., Phila., PA
Dates: November 3rd - 7th and 9th - 12th at 8PM
November 5th, 6th and 12th at 2pm
Running Time: 60 minutes
Admission: $15, $10 for students and seniors
For tickets, call: 215-525-4258

Written and Performed by Robin Marcotte
Directed by Dawn Falato
Lighting Design by Simon Harding
Original Music by Tim Gray
Mask design and construction by Aaron Cromie
Flyable set by Brad Helm

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