My Favorite Animal begins Dallas run this weekend before NYC production

by PegNews wire

Joe and Sandi Black and The Modern Stage will present the new adult comedy My Favorite Animal by award-winning local playwright Tom Sime. Performing at Teatro Dallas, the show has a $15 preview on Thursday, August 14, and then the show officially runs from August 15 - 24 for $20-25.

This production is designed to get the play into shape for its New York City showcase, booked for November 11-30 at the 45th Street Theatre, a 99-seat house in the Broadway Theatre District. Through rehearsals and the first week of this run, Mr. Sime and Ms. Cicero will make improvements and field ideas from the cast, staff and audience to make the play the funniest and best it can be. A transfer for a longer run in New York is anticipated, and the producers are raising funds for that purpose.

My Favorite Animal was presented by Mr. Sime's Modern Stage in an uproarious reading directed by Phyllis Cicero at Theatre Too in April. Messrs. Black and Sime planned to make Tom's NYC debut with the comic thriller Bloodletters, produced in June at Teatro, but the reception and style of My Favorite Animal convinced them it was the right play to transfer first to Manhattan, where Sime is relocating. Production of the revised Bloodletters will play New York in 2009.

My Favorite Animal takes place in the office of psychotherapist Jerry (Josh Hepola), whose newest client is Randi (Trista Wyly), a vivacious young woman with a startling secret. As Jerry tries to decide if he is dealing with a prank, a psychotic or something entirely different, Randi proves to have—and bring with her—an even bigger and more dangerous problem. The cast includes Sylvia Luedtke as Jerry's outspoken mother, David Lugo as Randi's paramour, Shane Strawbridge as a grating client and Steven-Shayle Rhodes as a reporter. Note: this play includes adult language.

Shows on Sunday, August 17 and Saturday, August 23 will be followed by free Talk-Back sessions with the playwright, director and cast. Tickets are available online or by calling 1-800-595-4849.

Posted by Shawn