(PHOENIX, Ariz., April 20, 2004)—Witness Phoenix College theater students bring characters to life through extraordinary monologues from Jane Martin’s first produced play, Talking With. This riveting performance will be at the Phoenix College’s John Paul Theatre beginning April 23.

Talking With is a play about idiosyncratic characters that amuse, move and frighten the audience by always speaking from the depths of their souls. It was the winner of the American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best Regional Play, and received a standing ovation at the Actors Theatre of Louisville during its 1982 premier performance.

Following the success of Talking With, Martin initiated a string of other plays including Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage, Cementville, Mr. Bundy and Keely and Du. All of Martin’s plays have been produced by the Actors Theatre of Louisville and premiered at the Humana Festival of New American Plays under the guiding hand of its founder, Jon Jory.

Some believe Jane Martin to be a pseudonym for Jory, since no one has ever met Martin. She has given no interviews, no biographical data about her is available and Jory is her only official spokesman. Jory has profusely denied this rumor, claiming that Martin prefers working in anonymity and she can only write her plays in this separatist existence. Because of the mystery surrounding Martin’s identity, she has been dubbed "America’s Best Known, Unknown Playwright."

Showtimes for Talking With are: April 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., April 29 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and April 30 and May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door and prices are $8 for general admission, $6 for seniors and $4 for students with I.D.

For further information about Talking With, please call the box office at (602) 285-7300.

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