"Trials of MS Katherine" at Harold Clurman from 6 to 16 Nov 03

Tue 7 Oct 2003 "Trials of MS Katherine" at Harold Clurman from 6 to 16 Nov 03 Mira Productions, LLC presents the World Premiere of The Trials of MS Katherine, by Chuck McMahon, at the Harold Clurman Theatre (Off Broadway) from 6 to 16 Nov 2003. Directed by George Allison with original music composed by Dee Sutton (whose own life experiences inspired the play). The cast includes: Janet Dunson, Ruth Miller, Jimmy Dean, Monica Bailey, Cecelia Riddett, Samantha Bilinkas, Stephen Benson, Darren Capozzi, Wilbur Edwin Henry , Joel Nagle. Katherine Auger is a lab manager for the trials of a promising new drug. Fueled by an almost obsessive pride in her work and a need to help others, she keeps her own medical condition carefully hidden. But soon Katherine's strange physical mannerisms and deteriorating work performance arouse the suspicions of her employers, who then discover her secret: Katherine has Multiple Sclerosis. As her health takes an unexpected turn for the worse, she finds herself fighting for her very existence. She's abruptly fired from her job, her health insurance is cancelled, and she becomes the target of a vindictive lawsuit filed by her former employers. Robbed of the things that had previously defined her life, Katherine must go through the process of rediscovering who she is. Producer/Composer Dee Sutton's experiences inspired The Trials Of MS. Katherine. After years of devoting ceaseless energy in a successful career improving the lives of people with disabilities, she was ironically stricken with Multiple Sclerosis. The disease's progressive nature eventually led to the end of professional career. Through subsequent years of health and personal hardship, she has continued her efforts to help others appreciate their own self worth.