Kansas City Actors Theatre to Present Regional Premiere of THE REALISTIC JONESES

Kansas City Actors Theatre will conclude its Season Twelve with the regional premiere of Will Eno's The Realistic Joneses, performing from May 24 to June 11 at the H&R Block City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by John Rensenhouse and will star Brian Paulette, Carla Noack, Phil Fiorini, and Ashley Pankow.

The Realistic Joneses, arguably the best work yet from one of America's cleverest new playwrights of the past decade, made its Broadway debut in 2014, making it the most contemporary play KCAT has ever produced. The company has faith that Will Eno, who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2005, will become a classic in his own right. "We're breaking new ground, but this is an important playwright who has never been produced professionally in the region, which fits in perfectly with the theme of our season of regionally-neglected stories" says John Rensenhouse, director of The Realistic Joneses and member of the KCAT Artistic Board. "We find we are most successful when doing things that our artists are passionate about, and Brian Paulette and I were both very passionate about this play."

Winner of two Drama Desk Special Awards, The Realistic Joneses Will Eno connects two suburban couples who have much more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities and, ultimately, confront mortality. This modern reflection on the ridiculous and mundane ways we adapt to life and death to "keep up" with those around us is both funny and profound. It was named "Best Play on Broadway" by USA Today and "Best American Play of the Year" by the Guardian in the year of its Broadway debut.

Actor and KCAT Artistic Board member Brian Paulette was, himself, drawn to the unique nature of the play. "It's bizarre, and quirky, and sad, and funny - and it almost doesn't make sense," says Paulette. "But then you let go, and some deeper part of your brain says, 'Yes, I get it.' These are people we can relate to, dealing with life, mortality, and existence, but in a sublimely lighthearted way."

Performances will take place at Union Station's H&R Block City Stage Previews start May 24th, opening night will be May 27th and performances will conclude on June 11th. Audience talk-backs will follow performances on May 28, June 2, and June 7. For tickets, call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or go to www.kcactors.org.

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