Maryland Ensemble Theatre Presents DAYTONA MCKANE AND THE QUEST FOR THE GOLDEN MOLE, Opening Today

Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) family theatre, The Fun Company, is proud to present the World Premiere of Daytona McKane and the Quest for the Golden Mole, a fun adventure story perfect for kids age six and up.

Daytona McKane is part Indiana Jones and part B-movie fantasy. Debbie (Sophie Stratyner) and her talking teddy bear Edward (Thomas Scholtes) get more than they bargain for when they accompany Debbie's uncle, intrepid explorer Daytona McKane (Matt Lee) as he searches for the mysterious lost idol, the Golden Mole. Things go from bad to worse after Daytona disappears and it's up to Debbie to save the day. Edward and Debbie must follow the clues and find Daytona, thwarting giant bats, witch doctors, man eating plants and the mysterious Mole People.

"The show is full of adventure with a touch of zaniness. The characters are quirky, but at the same time, young audiences will be able to relate to their journey", said the show's director Julie Herber. Herber, The Fun Company's founding Artistic Director, continued "Young Debbie wants to be taken seriously and make an impression. She takes a huge risk in trying to save her uncle and with perseverance and cleverness, it pays off in the end."

Daytona McKane is an original World Premiere script written by MET ensemble member Matt Lee. Matt previously penned The Fun Company shows The Littlest Vampire and My Father the Elf. Lee grew up with MET and now is diving head first into creating for it. Lee was a formerMET Ensemble School student, who returned to become an ensemble member. Now, an integral part of MET, he is one of the creators of the episodic late night series Laugh Station and is currently one of the creators of Pickle My Monkey which is opening on the MET mainstage onMay 16.

In addition to his writing duties on the show Matt Lee also starts as the title character, Daytona McKane. He will be joined on stage by MET veteran actor Reiner Prochaska and two members of MET's long running improv troupe The Comedy Pigs, Thomas Scholtes and Courtney McLaughlin. The cast also includes two other MET Ensemble School students Sophie Stratyner and Jackie Brinkman. The on stage talent will be assisted by a great production team which includes lighting design by Carey Rausch, costume design by Ashley Hall and production design by JoAnn Lee.

All performances of Daytona McKane and the Quest for the Golden Mole are at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. The show runs every Saturday from May 25 to June 15 at 2 p.m., and Sunday June 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 (plus a $1.50 service fee), and may be purchased by phone at (301) 694-4744, online atmarylandensemble.org or in person at the MET box office.

Daytona Kane and the Quest for the Golden Mole by Matt Lee will conclude The Fun Company's 2012-13 season. The Fun Company seeks to provide high quality, affordable theatre for the whole family that is both educational and entertaining by presenting a yearly Family Theatre Series, an In School Productions outreach program and Fun Camp. The 2012-13 Fun Company season is made possible in part through the support of season sponsors PNC Bank and GTI Federal.