New England Entertainment Digest - Online
Brought to you by JAC Publishing & Promotions!

Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker Directs Award-winning Play

BRIDGEPORT, CT: Playhouse on the Green, a 54-year-old not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, presents John Guare's award-winning 1990 play about New Yorkers seeking to make a connection, "Six Degrees of Separation," which runs May 9-18, 2008. The play launches the 2-show "Spring Into Summer" Series, which includes the musical "Barnum," which runs June 13-22, 2008.

Inspired by an actual incident reported by The New York Times in 1983, "Six Degrees of Separation" is a witty and biting tale of a wealthy white New York couple who take in a charming young black man who claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier. It's a fast-paced ride with equal parts drama and farce, the result being a commentary on the things that drive us all - the desire for wealth, fame, social standing, and meaningful human connection. "Six Degrees of Separation" won the 1990 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play and the Obie Award for Best Play and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. The 1993 film version of starred Stockard Channing (Grease, The West Wing) and Will Smith (Men In Black, Independence Day). NOTE: "Six Degrees of Separation" contains strong language and sexual situations and may not be appropriate for children.

Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker directs a cast of 16. Costume Design: Meredith Neal; Set Design: Carl Tallent; Lighting: Michael Jones; Original Music: Todd Hendricks; Sound Design: Jim De Vivo; Technical Director: Donald Rowe; Set Construction: Tom Swetts; Stage Manager: Bob Lengyel. The cast features Janet Dunson, T. William Leary, Elizabeth May, Khalill Muhammad, John Pyron of Fairfield, Kitty Robertson of Fairfield, Joshua Ruas of Ansonia, Russell Ruas of Ansonia, Jack Rushen of Stratford, and Alisson Wood of New Haven.

"Six Degrees of Separation" opens Friday, May 9 and runs through Sunday, May 18, 2008 (8 performances only). Performances take place Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM; Sundays at 3PM. Additionally, a Saturday matinee performance will take place at 3PM on Saturday, May 17 only. A complete calendar of performances can be found on-line at www.playhouseonthegreen.org.

Tickets are $23 Adults, $20 for Senior Citizens 65 and older. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 on-line at www.playhouseonthegreen.org or by calling TheaterMania at (866) 811-4111 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends). A "Playhouse Pass," which includes admission to "Six Degrees of Separation" and "Barnum" is available for $45 ($38 Seniors).

Playhouse on the Green is located at 177 State Street between Main Street and Markle Court in downtown Bridgeport. Free parking one block from the theater is available. For more information, visit www.playhouseonthegreen.org.