Gulfshore Playhouse Presents World Premiere of Suzanne Bradbeer's THE GOD GAME, Now thru 2/9

Gulfshore Playhouse will produce their first World Premiere with The God Game by Suzanne Bradbeer, playing tonight, January 17th through February 9th with a $25 preview performance on January 16th. The God Game is being produced in association with Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York who will present the production in May 2014.

The God Game focuses on Tom, a Virginia Senator and a rising star in the Republican Party. He's asked to join the ticket as the Vice-Presidential candidate. The only catch: he needs to sound "more Christian" on the campaign trail. Will he sacrifice his firmly held belief that faith and religion are private matters or give up an opportunity to govern the most influential country in the world? Privacy, politics, and public personas take center stage in this World Premiere Drama by a hot new American playwright.

"I am thrilled to be producing the premiere of this important, thought-provoking and moving piece by Suzanne Bradbeer, in association with the Capital Repertory Theatre. I consider it our responsibility as professional theatre-makers to produce new works, foster playwrights' growth, and contribute to the canon of American Theatre," states Kristen Coury, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse, who will direct both productions.

The God Game was the "runaway hit of the Capital Rep/Proctors Next Act New Play Summit and one of four winners of the Ashland New Plays Festival in 2012. Suzanne Bradbeer's other plays include: Full Bloom, which was short-listed for the Humana Festival and nominated for the Osborn New Play Award from the American Theatre Critics Association; Shakespeare in Vegas, which was co-produced by Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey and Dreamcatcher Rep in spring 2013. Suzanne is a two-time finalist for the Heideman Award for the National Ten-Minute Play Contest and has served as a playwriting mentor in Barrington Stage's Youth at Risk program.

Actor Laurence Lau will be playing the role of Tom. Laurence played the role of Steve Heidebrecht on the First National Tour of the Pulitzer Prize winning play "August Osage County." He has also performed in Vienna, Austria in productions of The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? and Breaking Legs, and was a series regular on All My Children, Another World, and One Life to Live. Yvonne Perry will be playing Lisa, Tom's wife. Yvonne lives in upstate New York and has been seen in The Sisters Rosensweig, A Christmas Story and Intimate Apparel at Capital Repertory Theatre. Other regional credits include Saratoga Shakespeare, River Valley Rep, Stageworks/Hudson, and Oldcastle. Jeff Binder will be playing the role of Matt. Jeff has been seen on Broadway as George Banks in Mary Poppins and Zazu as The Lion King.

Gulfshore Playhouse will be presenting their 4th Annual "Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway" Gala Fundraiser celebrating their 10th Anniversary and honoring long time Board Chairman Bob Harden on February 27, 2014 at the Naples Beach Hotel. The event will feature Broadway and Opera singer Leah Edwards, who starred in Gulfshore Playhouse's production of Master Class last season and a large silent auction with jewelry provided by Tiara Fine Jewelers. This is a night you won't want to miss! Tickets are $300 per person, $500 per couple, and $2000 per table.

Take advantage of the exclusive dinner deal with the The Chapel Grill. With a ticket purchase to Gulfshore Playhouse, enjoy exclusive access to a special early dining menu featuring 3 courses and a glass of wine for $29.95. Reservations for this Early Bird Special can only be made between 5:00-5:45pm. Gulfshore Playhouse patrons who make a reservation after 5:45pm will receive $5 off a two course meal, or a $10 off a three course meal at regular menu pricing. To take advantage of this special dinner deal, call The Chapel Grill for reservations at (239) 206-4310 and provide their Gulfshore Playhouse e-mail ticket confirmation when they visit the restaurant. This deal is valid only on the date a patron is attending a Gulfshore Playhouse production.