SOUL MATES World Premiere Begins at Magenta Giraffe Theatre Tonight

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit presents the world premiere of Soul Mates, by local playwright Kirsten Knisely, directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates. The show runs from tonight, February 1-23, 2013.

Tickets are $15-$18, with pay-what-you-can tickets available to all performances. Tickets may be reserved by phone at 313-408-7269 or at www.magentagiraffe.org. Soul Mates will be Magenta Giraffe's second production in residence at the Abreact Performance Space (1301 W. Lafayette, #113, Detroit, MI 48226). As the space is very intimate, reservations are strongly suggested.

This sweet and lovely play explores the concept of soul mates through a series of vignettes. What is a soul mate? Can a person have more than one in a lifetime? Following the critical success of Sean Paraventi's The Current in 2010, Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company is thrilled to present another debut from a local playwright. Knisely's skill and talent shine through this beautiful piece that will warm audiences' hearts in the cold months of winter.

"Writing Soul Mates was a very unique and cathartic experience for me," says playwright Kirsten Knisely. "It happened in a time in my life-the beginning of my artistic career and journey into adulthood-when I was searching for connection and reason, and looking back, I believe those ideas encompass the heart of the play. I am overjoyed to be a part of the production process with Magenta Giraffe Theatre Co., and to see how the piece grows with such a phenomenal cast of players."

The cast includes Jonathan Davidson (Detroit), Julia Garlotte (Chelsea), Matthew Turner Shelton (Grosse Pointe) and Jaye Stellini (White Lake). Gwen Lindsay exhibits her scenic design; costumes by Lauren Montgomery.

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company's production of Soul Mates will take place at the Abreact Performance Space: 1301 W. Lafayette, #113, Detroit, MI 48226. Reservations are available via phone at 313-408-7269, at www.magentagiraffe.org, or at the door the day of the performance. Cash or check only. Tickets are $18/$15 Student/Senior/Industry, but are available on a pay-what-you-can basis at all performances.

Soul Mates will run Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 8 pm. There will be one matinee at 3 pm on Sunday, February 17. Dates and times are:

Friday, February 1, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 2, at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, February 8, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 9, at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, February 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 16, at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 17, at 3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 22, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 23, at 8:00 p.m.

Audience members paying the full ticket price may wish to take advantage of our "Repeat Offender" offer: If you've paid the suggested rate for a ticket and would like to see the show a second, third or fourth time (we love those who love theatre!) bring back a paying customer each time and see it free of charge!

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization that acts to eliminate apathy, violence, prejudice and barriers to education through theatre productions, projects and programs; and further acts to reestablish and expand Detroit's theatre district. Soul Mates, by Kirsten Knisely, directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates, is the theatre's twelfth production.

For additional information on the production of Soul Mates, contact Frannie Shepherd-Bates or visit www.magentagiraffe.org.

Pictured: Top row (left to right): Julia Garlotte, Matthew Turner Shelton, Jaye Stellini, Jonathan Davidson, Julia Garlotte, Jaye Stellini. Bottom row (left to right): Jaye Stellini, Jonathan Davidson, Matthew Turner Shelton, Julia Garlotte, Matthew Turner Shelton, Jonathan Davidson. Photo Credit: Chuk Nowak.