The final production of Third Rail's 2009-2010 season, Craig Wright's The Gray Sisters, opens April 30. We're especially proud of this one. Not only is it Third Rail's first commissioned work, but it's coming to us from one of our favorite playwrights. We've produced three of Craig's works already: Recent Tragic Events (our Portland debut), The Pavilion, and Grace. Those of you who've been following us since the beginning will remember the power of those productions and Craig's blend of humor, heartache, compassion, and mystery.

We don't want to give away too much about The Gray Sisters, but we can say that it is taking us to new artistic "places" in terms of its structure and what it asks of our actresses. It's also new territory for our artistic director, Scott Yarbrough. We asked Scott a few questions about the show recently.

Third Rail: The Gray Sisters is a world premiere, so you don't have any previous productions or dramaturgy to consult as you prepare. What is that like for you?

Scott Yarbrough: It was weirdly both nerve-wracking and relaxing. I usually do a huge amount of research and/or script analysis before we begin rehearsals, so, without a full draft until right before rehearsals began, there wasn't really much of that to do. I had a clear idea of the story we'd be working on and knew that the blocking needs for the play would be minimal, so I was able to just accept that there wasn't much I could do and find some peace in that. But having worked on Craig's plays so many times and being in regular touch with him, it was easy to trust that the play would be good, so I didn't let myself really worry about it too much. I think my sense of calm around the whole thing was surprising to a lot of folks in the company.

TR: The script for the show is being created in collaboration with the actresses, through interviews. Has Craig interviewed you as well, or are you more of a facilitator?

SY: I was present for all the interviews, but much more to facilitate and be aware of all the avenues of exploration that might be touched on as the story and, later, the script evolved. We were all pretty intimidated by Craig at the beginning because his work has been so much a part of our history. I had directed a reading of a new play of his about 10 years ago and had held discussions with him about the three previous plays during their individual process. I'd had more of a relationship with him than the actresses, so I like to think my presence eased some potential nerves at the beginning of the workshops and interviews.

TR: What's your contribution to Craig's revision process during rehearsals? What's it like for you to be involved in that?

SY: Primarily as an outside eye. "Does this line fit with what we've said earlier in the play? Does this section make sense since we made that cut from the last draft?" I've been seeing the story evolve through the various drafts and I've been continually surprised by what Craig was willing to cut to make the story and the ideas of the play clearer. He hasn't been precious with his writing at all. So many lines and threads that I really liked are now gone, because they ultimately weren't helping to tell the story as efficiently as possible. I've been stunned by how collaborative the process was. So I guess my involvement has really been as a wide-eyed spectator.

TR: Formally, The Gray Sisters is unlike most plays and certainly unlike anything Third Rail has done before. Without giving much away, can you talk about that? What's your sense of how the actors are responding to the form, and how do you think it will affect the audience? How is it for you?

SY: Not only is it unlike anything we've ever done before, I've never seen anything quite like this before. In a way, the presentation "style" of the play requires an engagement from the audience that is more demanding and, I hope, more rich and rewarding than they are used to experiencing. It's definitely been demanding on the actresses and quite scary at times. There is a "purity of craft" in what they are doing that is quite stunning, and when it's done well, completely invisible. They have to be fierce in their commitment and at ease in their execution. I'm learning the rules of the form as we go along, as are they. It's been an amazing challenge and one that will stick with us for a long long time.

TR: Anything else you want to say about the show?

SY: Tickets are on sale NOW!

You heard the man, folks. Be sure you're among the first to see The Gray Sisters come to life.