Fred Sullivan, Jr. & Joel Kipper Set for OSTC's ROUNDING THIRD

Trinity Repertory Company's Fred Sullivan, Jr., who is enjoying rave reviews in Trinity Rep's current production of A Flea in Her Ear, and Ocean State Theatre Company's Managing Producer, Joel Kipper, who recently made his directing debut with OSTC's The Last Five Years, will be starring opposite one another in OSTC's upcoming summer production of Richard Dresser's comedy Rounding Third.

"We are thrilled that Fred is available to join us and that Joel's schedule will allow him to flex his acting muscles once again," said Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner. "Bringing two great Rhode Island artistic leaders together is such a joy and, having witnessed the offstage chemistry of these very funny gentlemen, I can say I think they are absolutely perfect for this piece. I loved having the opportunity to share the stage with Fred in Laughter on the 23rd Floor last winter and am really looking forward to directing them both in this very funny play."

Fred Sullivan, Jr. has been a member of Trinity Rep's acclaimed acting company since 1984 and has appeared in 115 productions during his 30 seasons. In addition to Scrooge, some of his favorite roles include Sir John Falstaff in both Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Edmund Tyrone in Long Day's Journey into Night, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Walter Burns in His Girl Friday and Teddy Platt in both House and Garden. Mr. Sullivan has also appeared with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston, The Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket, RI, the Dallas Theatre Center, Berkeley Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and NJ Shakespeare. Ocean State Theatre Company patrons will remember his star turn as Max in last season's critically acclaimed production of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor.

Joel Kipper is a founding member of Ocean State Theatre Company and holds a BFA from Missouri State. OSTC audiences will remember him as George M. Cohan in George M! (2008) and as Malcolm in The Full Monty (2010), both down at "the barn," and as Michael in Lombardi (2013) here in Warwick. Other performance credits include Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Mungojerrie and Skimbleshanks in CATS. In addition to performing, Joel has a strong background in technical theatre with experience in carpentry, props and stage management. Mr. Kipper recently made his main stage directorial debut with OSTC's production of The Last Five Years. He also directed OSTC Family Fun Fest productions of Fabulous Fable Factory, Schoolhouse Rock Live! and How I Became a Pirate. In addition to his directing work at OSTC, Joel is proud of his past work with the Narragansett School System in their theatre programs.

Rounding Third will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from June 3 - 21. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, June 4 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Tuesday (except June 9), Wednesday, Thursday (except June 11), Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Sundays at 2:00 pm and a special Sunday evening performance on June 14 at 6:30pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, June 7.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $30 for preview performances and $34-$49 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $25 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.