Know Theater Announces BOOM, Runs Through 11/7

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is thrilled to open its twelfth season with the regional premiere of Boom, a funny, slightly warped and ultimately hopeful look at the apocalypse that follows a young marine biologist as he prepares for the imminent end of the world. Boom, directed by Drew Fracher, opened on Know Theatre's mainstage October 10th and play through November 7th, 2009.

Jo, a female journalism student, and Jules, a male marine biologist, meet in a subterranean biology lab for an erotic casual encounter. However, there's nothing casual whatsoever about this particular evening.

Director of Boom, Drew Fracher says, "These days it seems like a good, solidly funny play is kind of hard to come by, everyone wants to write about the trials and tribulations in such a serious manner. I love the fact that Boom is full of snappy dialogue, and while it is very funny, it definitely has some teeth."

The comedy is set in an underground laboratory on a university campus where Jules has been studying the sleeping patterns of his fish in an effort to determine when the world will end, which he predicts will happen that very evening. Jo shows up one evening having answered a Craigslist personal ad for a casual encounter that promises "sex to change the course of the world." This attempt to find a partner with whom Jules can repopulate the world is complicated by the fact that he's probably gay and Jo hates babies. Soon, things take a turn as food is running out, and his marine biology lab turned apocalypse shelter is damaged beyond repair. And what's the deal with that woman Barbara in the corner...why does she seem to be controlling everyone?

This is Drew Fracher's directorial debut with Know Theatre of Cincinnati, "I've always been a fan of what the Know Theatre has done and I'm thrilled to be taking part this season," says Drew.

Managing Director, Eric Vosmeier says of Drew Fracher, "I've always been a fan of Drew's work and I couldn't be happier to have him directing Boom. We've been without very many guest directors in the past few seasons and I'm pleased to be engaging some incredible local talent this season."

Boom was premiered at Arts Nova in New York City in March of 2008 and was directed by Alex Timbers. Subsequent productions included Wooly Mammoth Theatre in Washington DC, Seattle Repertory in Seattle, WA, and Cleveland Public Theatre in Cleveland, OH, all occurring in November of 2008.

Drew Fracher (Director) is a freelance director, fight arranger and actor, serving as a Fight Master with the Society of American Fight Directors. As a director his work has been seen at Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Stage, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, New Stage Collective, Florida Stage and the Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Cincinnati Shakespeare Festivals. As a fight director his work has been seen for over twenty-five years at a wide variety of theatres throughout the U.S. Most recently he directed Dying City at New Stage Collective and Wait Until Dark at the Human Race Theatre Company. He spent June teaching stage combat to the graduate students of PA State University and directed fights for Cincinnati Opera's Carmen.

The playwright, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, an actor and writer, is a resident of San Francisco's Mission District. He has a bachelor degree in Biology and theatre from Brown University where his spark for playwrighting began. He then earned an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State. Peter also enjoys acting, working with independent films, and searching for other Nachtriebs online.

Boom will be directed by Drew Fracher and features Know Theatre's resident company members Joshua Murphy (Jules) and Elizabeth Vosmeier (Barbara). It will also feature recent Acclaim Award Rising Star, and creator of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival show, In Rehearsal, Alison Vodnoy (Jo).

All tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the performance. You can purchase online at www.knowtheatre.com or call the Know Theatre box office at (513) 300-KNOW (5669).