Encore performance of 'Stories from Jim and Jo' to explore Parkinson's, MS

By popular demand, Western Washington University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present a special remount production of “Stories from Jim and Jo” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Mainstage Theater.

A collaborative dance/theatre piece, “Stories from Jim and Jo” is an original work that explores the medical complications of Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Under the direction of storyteller/choreographer Pam Kuntz, WWU Dance faculty and New York theatre artist Ian Bivins, two Bellingham community members – Jim Lortz and Jo Pullen – share their stories about living with these debilitating diseases.

Originally premiered to sold-out audiences in May 2010, this special remount production is the inaugural event of the newly merged WWU Department of Theatre and Dance. The evening will feature “Stories from Jim and Jo” followed by a post show discussion with the actors and a reception open to the public.

Tickets for the evening are $10 general; $8 seniors; $5 for students, WWU faculty and staff. They may be purchased through the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or http://www.tickets.wwu.edu, as well as at Village Books and the Community Food Co-op.

The WWU Box Office is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one hour prior to performances.

"Jim" is James Lortz, a longtime Bellingham resident and WWU Theatre faculty member. Lortz was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease two years ago. Part of the performance explores his journey with the disease, from diagnosis to daily discoveries of change.

"Jo" is Jo Pullen, a community activist volunteering with the MS community as a self help group leader, lobbyist and advocate for affordable, accessible health care for all. She was diagnosed with MS 30 years ago and is a retired social worker. For her, this is an excellent opportunity to talk about disabilities with humor and sensitivity.

Performing with Kuntz, Lortz and Pullen is Ian Bivins, a company member with the New York based theatre company MargolisBrown ADAPTORS CO. Bivins is a WWU alum and returns to Bellingham to work with Kuntz in creating this piece alongside his former professor Jim Lortz.

For more information about “Stories from Jim and Jo” please visit http://www.wwu.edu/cfpa.