Stark Naked Theatre Announces 2014-15 Season Featuring THE GOD GAME, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM & More

Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin-Lehl, co-Artistic Directors of Stark Naked Theatre Company, are proud to announce the exciting line-up of plays selected for the theatre's highly-anticipated fourth season.

The 2014-2015 season opens on September 4th with the Texas premiere of The God Game, written by New York-based playwright Suzanne Bradbeer. Critics praised The God Game in its world premiere earlier this year, calling it "a superb new drama" and "the sort of new work that theatre fans long to see." Houston audiences will likewise be enthralled with this highly-relevant and thought-provoking play that deftly examines the role of faith on the national political stage. Running through September 20th at Stark Naked Theatre's STUDIO 101, The God Game features Justin Doran, Philip Lehl, and Kim Tobin-Lehl in the lead roles.

Stark Naked Theatre's season continues with the world premiere of Ho Ho Humbug - a hilarious Christmas-themed comedy produced in association with Third Coast Creative. Certain to become an annual holiday tradition for Houston theatre go-ers, Ho Ho Humbug is recommended for audiences aged 13 and older, and runs December 4th through December 24th at STUDIO 101 (please check Stark Naked's website for special holiday scheduling). This festive tale, written by New York City actor and playwright Scott Burkell, and starring Burkell, Chelsea Stavis, and Stark Naked regulars Susan Draper and Kim Tobin-Lehl, is a semi-autobiographical story of a disillusioned and acerbic middle-aged New Yorker who unexpectedly finds himself dressed in a red velvet costume (with beard!) and awash in a sea of candy canes, artificial snow, and crying babies. Is this sardonic Santa capable of suppressing his contempt for the season long enough to collect a paycheck? Or will Macy's Santaland actually make a believer out of its resident cynic?

For its third play of the upcoming season, Stark Naked Theatre collaborates with the University of Houston to produce one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Opening on March 5th and running through March 20th, 2015 at Stark Naked's STUDIO 101, A Midsummer Night's Dream centers around four young lovers who, after stumbling into an enchanted forest, find their hearts manipulated by the magical powers and capricious whims of a band of fairies. The Bard's enchanting story of love and transformation is brought to life by a cast of seasoned Stark Naked Theatre Company professionals and four of Houston's rising stars from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance. Join Stark Naked for Shakespeare at its best, and discover why "the course of true love never did run smooth."

Stark Naked Theatre concludes its fourth season with the southwest regional premiere of Sarah Ruhl's brilliantly funny play, Stage Kiss - a romantic comedy about two actors who find art imitating life when they are forced to confront unresolved feelings for each other after being cast in a 1930's melodrama playing former lovers. In selecting Stage Kiss for its coveted 'Critic's Pick', the New York Times describes the play as "grounded in truth and wholly satisfying...remind[ing] us of how the artifice of theatre can stir real emotions not just for those who create it, but for those who attend it, too." Running May 28th through June 13th, 2015 at STUDIO 101, Stage Kiss features Houston favorite Kim Tobin-Lehl in the leading role and is directed by the Alley Theatre's Resident Assistant Director, Brandon Weinbrenner.

To receive more information on Stark Naked Theatre Company's upcoming season, as well as exclusive ticket offers and advance notice of special events, please visit the theatre's website at www.starknakedtheatre.com and register your email address.

STARK NAKED THEATRE COMPANY'S 2014-2015 SEASON

THE GOD GAME (Texas Premiere)

Written by Suzanne Bradbeer

Featuring Justin Doran, Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin-Lehl

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

September 4 - September 20, 2014

HO HO HUMBUG (World Premiere)**

Produced in association with Third Coast Creative

Written by NYC Playwright & Actor Scott Burkell, and starring Burkell, Susan Draper, Chelsea Stavis and Kim Tobin-Lehl

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

December 4 - December 24, 2014

**Please check Stark Naked Theatre Company's website for special holiday scheduling.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Produced in collaboration with the University of Houston

Written by: William Shakespeare

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

March 5 - March 20, 2015

STAGE KISS (Southwest Regional Premiere)

Written by: Sarah Ruhl

Directed by: Brandon Weinbrenner (Resident Assistant Director, Alley Theatre)

Featuring Kim Tobin-Lehl in the lead role

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

May 28 - June 13, 2015