ASTC Presents "After Hours" and HOTP Playreading Events This November

American Stage Theatre Company's "After Hours" Series and Hot Off The Press Playreading Series of new works in the Raymond James Theatre continue with nine productions in November: ODD MAN OUT, 321, JOURNEYMEN, CHICKEN OR THE EGG?, THE ROOM, TRIP TO THE BALLPARK, DEAR AUNT GERTRUDE, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!

ODD MAN OUT starring Jannette Serckpor, Vicki Vodar and Kim McVicar (and Larry Bukovey) as part of the "After Hours" Series on November 6 at 10 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door (suggested $5 to $15), or $15 in advance. Back by popular demand, this hilariously provocative show follows three spirited comediennes who have just introduced a new member into their show, an odd man out named Larry who isn't a good fit with the sassy ladies. A collection of funny scenes, sexy dance numbers, videos and improvisational premises, ODD MAN OUT promises to be the experimental must see hit of the year.

321 featuring Gavin Hawke and Ricky Wayne as part of the "After Hours" Series 1ST Sunday Improv and Comedy Night on November 7 at 8 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door (suggested $5 to $15), or $15 in advance. From the minds of Hawk & Wayne, the creators of THE DUMB SHOW, comes American Stage's new long-form comedy improvisation show, 321. Starting with the audience suggestions of three character relationships, two improvisers will create a piece that takes place in one location. Gavin Hawk and Ricky Wayne weave all of these elements into a hilarious, amazing and poignant one-act play that is sure to delight the audience.

JOURNEYMEN by Jack Gilhooley as part of the Hot Off the Press Playreading Series on November 8 at 7 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door. JOURNEYMEN is inspired by a real 1949 off-field incident that rattled the baseball world. Because of a sensational crime, two men of different races (one the victim, the other the investigating officer) are able to bond due to their mutual, albeit thread-thin association with the sport. But their boyish love of the National Pastime cannot transcend the ancient darker American forces of racial division.

CHICKEN OR THE EGG? starring "ranney" as part of the "After Hours" Series Stand-Up Comedyon November 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 10 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door or $15 in advance. He is that strange, interesting guy that just walked into the room. He is the alpha and omega of silliness. He is both the coolest nerd and the nerdiest cool dude in the world of comedy. A side-splitting shaman, he is the Illuminatus of Comedy, Mr. FunnyBlackman - he is "ranney." Come bear witness to his latest one man jam, the long awaited comedy event: THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? "ranney" has headlined internationally from Dublin's Comedy Cellar and London's The Comedy Store to New York's The Apollo, and has been featured locally at Coconuts, Side Splitters, and The Improv. "ranney" was a member of the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe award-winning quintet that performed the smash hit THE BOMB-ITTY OF ERRORS at London's West End. A nominee for Best International Poet by London's Farrago Poetry Group, "ranney" has been named Best Actor and nominated for Best Comedian by Tampa Bay's Creative Loafing.

THE ROOM as part of the "After Hours" Series Movie Night, co-Produced by Damage Control and Ricky Wayne. This show will perform November 14 at 8 p.m. (plastic spoons will be provided). All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door (suggested $5 to $15) or $15 in advance. Throwing plastic spoons, wearing tuxedos, Johnny look-a-like contests, tossing footballs and shouting at the movie screen. Sounds like a bad night at the movies (or an insanely fun one)! THE ROOM, is an interactive cult classic film that is quickly becoming the Rocky Horror Picture Show of the 21st century. THE ROOM has been cited by some critics as one of the worst films ever made, and has been called "the Citizen Kane of bad movies." The film is rife with continuity errors, inconsistent plots, subplots, horrible acting and character details that are introduced, then instantly abandoned...which only adds to the hilarity. You have to see it to believe it. This film is Rated R (Contains adult language and partial nudity).

TRIP TO THE BALLPARK by T. Scott Wooten as part of the Hot Off the Press Playreading Series on November 15 at 7 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door. Rodgy Rizzle is one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball - unfortunately, his team is one of the worst. Now, late in the season on a team with a record of 32-70, Rizzle wants only one thing - his day off. A whole day away from the diamond with his girlfriend, a few cocktails, a massage and a little grass is how he'll spend the afternoon. But his day off gets interrupted when he forgets one crucial detail - and the hit of acid he just ate is starting to kick in....

DEAR AUNT GERTRUDE presented as part of the "After Hours" Series 3rd Sunday Comedy and Improv Night on November 21 at 8 p.m. All tickets are "Pay What You Can" at the door or $15 in advance. Improv comedy that's funnier than rhubarb pie (and twenty times as tasty). Several of the Bay area's best improve artists and comedians gather for what's sure to be one unforgettable night of laughs.

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES featuring Lara Shelton, Bonnie Agan and Charlotte Quandt presented as part of the "After Hours" Series on November 27 at 10 p.m. All tickets are "Pay-What-You-Can" at the door or $15 in advance. Obie Award-winner Eve Ensler's whirlwind tour of a forbidden zone, The Vagina Monologues introduces a wildly divergent gathering of female voices, including a six-year-old girl, a septuagenarian New Yorker, a vagina workshop participant, a woman who witnesses the birth of her granddaughter, a Bosnian survivor of rape and a feminist happy to have found a man who "liked to look at it."

LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! written by Terrance McNally and Co-produced by Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project will perform November 29 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are "Pay-What-You-Can" at the door or $15 in advance (All proceeds benefiting Metro Charities and the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project). The Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project presents LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, a staged play reading in honor of World AIDS Day on November 29. All proceeds benefit Metro Charities and the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project. Stars include Matthew McGee (THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP), Brad Wages, Joey Panek (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), Eric Davis (DOUBT), Brian Shea (SANTALAND DIARIES), Steve Garland (OPUS) and David Valdez. Set in and around a Dutchess County farmhouse, eight men hash out their passions, resentments and fears over the course of three summer weekends. In this beautifully written work, McNally presents humbling evidence of what human love is and can be. Winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Play.

Please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529) or go to www.americanstage.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series in its brand new, 182-seat Raymond James Theatre each year. The very popular American Stage in the Park returns with RENT. The theatre's other programming includes: "After Hours" Series, Susan R. Hough Cabaret Series, School Tour and camps and classes for children and adults. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor, Bank of America is the Education Partner and WEDU is the Television Sponsor of American Stage. "After Hours" Series sponsor is ABC Bicycles.