CWU Alum In Search Of 100 Heartbreaks

February 12, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash.--Central Washington University graduate Joanna Horowitz will star in the premiere of her one-woman country musical 100 Heartbreaks, playing at Seattle's Capitol Hill Arts Center for six nights: Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and March 1. Horowitz, who grew up in Ellensburg, acted in a number of theater productions at Central, played in a folk/country duo called Cha Cha Galore and wrote for the Daily Record.

Part theater, part country show, 100 Heartbreaks combines quick-witted storytelling with live country music inspired by the likes of Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. In the show, Horowitz's character is trying to accumulate song-writing inspiration by getting her heart broken 100 times.

"The piece isn't autobiographical, for the most part," Horowitz said. "But Ellensburg definitely influenced the writing. I can relate to the character's feeling that she has to earn her country stripes. I grew up in Ellensburg, which is certainly more country than Seattle, but I was never a boots-and-hat kind of girl. When I realized I did want to play country music, I had to figure out what experiences I could draw on. Late nights driving through Kittitas Valley were definitely a part of that."

Her training at Central was also a big asset. "In the theater department doing shows like The Laramie Project I really learned the art of storytelling. That's what this show, and country music in general, is all about," Horowitz said.

Horowitz, whose parents Steve and Kate Horowitz both work at Central, moved to Seattle in 2005 to work as the communications associate at Seattle Repertory Theatre. She is also is a regular freelance music writer for The Seattle Times. 100 Heartbreaks is her first work of fiction. The play is directed by Seattle director/designer Jennifer Zeyl (On the Boards' BlahblahblahBANG!, Seattle Repertory Theatre's My Name is Rachel Corrie), with music direction by John Osebold of the popular Seattle band, Awesome.

Each night's performance begins at 8:30 p.m. Ticket information is available at www.100heartbreaks.com or by calling 800-838-3006.

Contact:
Liz Bryson, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, brysone@cwu.edu, 509-963-2849
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.