PICK OF THE VINE Opens Tonight at Little Fish Theatre

Little Fish Theatre today announced the first production of the 2016 season, the fourteenth annual PICK OF THE VINE, a collection of original short-subject plays that has become the signature production of this local arts landmark.

This year's program consists of:

Binged There, Done That by Ken Preuss of Oviedo, Florida

Cancelled by M. Rowan Meyer of New York, New York

Encounter at a Hot Dog Stand by Monica Lewis of Erie, Pennsylvania

How Nice of You to Ask by Rick Ruben of Portland, Oregon

Reston by L. Robert Westeen of Houston, Texas

Small Talk by David MacGregor of Howell, Michigan

Ten Picnics by Mark Harvey Levine of Pasadena, California

The Temp by Steve Emily of Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Wiggle Room by George D. Morgan of Oxnard, California

What You Don't Know by Mora V. Harris of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ranging from seven to fifteen minutes in length, this collection of plays is the theatrical equivalent of cocktail party hors d'oeuvres, providing delicious bites of comedy and drama that comprise a full program of uniquely entertaining stories in a single evening. Some have never been performed before an audience. The plays answer some of life's rarely-asked, fascinating questions: How far will we go to make sure our children have every advantage in life? What is the kindest way to handle road-kill? How to cope if one simply can't engage in small-talk?

In terms of dramatic variety and sheer enjoyment, the selection of new one-act plays Little Fish delivers in PICK OF THE VINEevery year is remarkable. The artistic team at Little Fish Theatre undertakes an extensive selection process, this year reading 659 plays from multiple countries. The 46-member selection committee carefully culled through all the submissions to identify the choice moments of dramatic and comedic impact that makes this season's lineup unique and entertaining.

This year's plays will be directed by a team that features some of Little Fish Theatre's finest acting talent - Cylan Brown (Henry IV, Part 1, Oswald: The Actual Interrogation), Madeleine Drake (The Ladies Foursome, See Rock City) and James Rice (Taking Sides, And The Stones Will Cry Out). Brown, Drake and Rice are all directors for PICK OF THE VINE from years past. They are joined by Branda Lock, who joins Little Fish Theatre with this production. Rice is a frequent director at Little Fish, having also helmed The Doll and Private Lives in 2015.

The cast is a nine-member cross-section of the Little Fish Company. Founding Company member Annie Vest is joined by company regulars Geraldine Fuentes, Brendan Gill, Amanda Karr, David Kieran and Perry Shields, as well as SBTS favorites Bryson Jones Allman and Kathryn Farren. Patrick Rafferty, who played the title role in the Little Fish world premiere of Peg & Garrick in 2004, returns to the Little Fish stage to complete this ensemble.

This production will run Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm from January 8th through February 13th, with additional performances on Thursday nights at 8pm on January 21st, 28th and February 4th, and Sunday afternoon at 2pm on January 17th and 24th. Over the years, PICK OF THE VINE has accumulated a loyal and enthusiastic following; and as in the past several seasons, this production is expected to sell out most performances.

Founded in 2002, Little Fish Theatre presents an impressive variety of classic and contemporary plays in an intimate setting on Centre Street in downtown San Pedro. Producing eleven plays each year for a one-room 65-seat venue, Little Fish receives frequent critical acclaim for its close-up theatrical productions, proudly delivered in air-conditioned comfort.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.littlefishtheatre.org, by phone at 310-512-6030 or by text 424-226-6030. Popular season subscription packages of "anytime tickets" are available now and can be used at any of the season productions, this year or next.