Who was Beatrice Cenci? Victim or Murderess? Sinner or Saint? Violated Virgin or Calculating Seductress?

5 women playwrights explore varying facets of her legend at the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival.

Beatrice killed her father; rumor held that he had raped her. She has been painted as a defiant heroine, as a virginal victim, as a blood-soaked avenger, as a feminist martyr, and as a scheming sexpot. Interestingly enough, male writers are the only ones (re)telling her story. Until now.

The tragic story of the beautiful patricide has been popular with artists across Europe for the past couple of centuries, including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Stendhal, and Antonin Artaud.

Almost 2 years ago, Artistic Director Catherine Aselford commissioned 5 playwrights to create short plays about Beatrice Cenci. The result is Belle Parricide, a theatrical kaleidoscope presenting shifting views of Beatrice.

The 5 playwrights are:

 Monique LaForce, who co-wrote Cherryred Production's hit Kenneth, What is the Frequency?

 Alia Faith Williams, DC-based actor and director, who is making her debut as a playwright;

 Briton Lucy Tyler (The Antigone Project, Origin Theatre and Theatre Absolute);

 New Yorker Lori Fischer (Barbara's Blue Kitchen at the Lamb's Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Adirondack Theatre Festival, as well as several short films);

 DC native Rebecca Nesvet whose plays have won several awards and frequent productions in the UK and Romania, and her short play Double or Nothing was just presented in Toronto.

Belle Parricide is directed by Catherine Aselford and Nick Allen (Synetic Theatre, Old Lore Theatre) and features Jacinda Bronaugh (a Georgetown Theatre Company favorite), Sun King Davis (Shakespeare Theatre Company, Factory 449), Prairie Griffith (Studio Theatre, Inkwell), Madeline Ruskin (Washington Stage Guild, Generic Theatre Company) & Justin Mohay.

For more information about Belle Parricide, please visit www.georgetowntheatre.org or call 703-271-7770. 

Belle Parricide opens at the Capital Fringe Festival tomorrow, Saturday, July 9th at NOON! There are only five performances, so don't miss out!

Tickets: $17. On sale NOW thru The Capital Fringe Festival - call 1-866-811-4111. 

BELLE PARRICIDE at the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival!

REDRUM - 612 L St., NW
Saturday, July 9 @ 12 Noon
Friday, July 15 @ 8pm
Tuesday, July 19 @ 6:45pm
Friday, July 22 @ 6pm
Sunday, July 24 @ 7pm 

DIRECTED BY: Catherine Aselford and Nicholas Allen

WRITTEN BY: Lori Fischer, Monique LaForce, Rebecca Nesvet, Lucy Tyler, and Alia Faith Williams

STARRING: Nicholas Allen, Jacinda Bronaugh, Sun King Davis, Prairie Griffith, Justin Mohay, and Madeline Ruskin