TheaterSmarts To Present DOG PARK, Show Previews 1/25

TheaterSmarts (in association with the Drilling Co) to present "Dog Park" a comedy for dog lovers. The show is written & directed by Maura Kelley.

Preview January 25
Opens January 26 to February 12, 2012
The Drilling Company Theater, 236 West 78th Street, NYC
Presented by TheaterSmarts
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM; Sundays at 3:00 PM
Tickets $18 general admission. Actors Equity Showcase.
Running time 85 minutes.
www.dogparkshow.com

To purchase tickets visit http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=DOG13

About the show: "Dog Park takes place in an Upper West Side dog park that is being closed due to an evil real estate tycoon's commercialization project. This colorful array of dog owners that span from an out-of-work opera singing, Maltese owner to a gay Frenchie owning couple not only fight back to ensure their dogs have a place to run and play but also are advocates for green space. This play spoofs iconic figures and is filled with madcap physical comedy. It also demonstrates useful tactics that communities use to fight for their cause: petitions, "poop" protests, dog kidnappings as well as an all night stakeout along the vein of "Occupy Dog Park"."

This cast of nine includes:
Willy Alvarez, *Walter Cline, Kali Katzman, *Zander Meisner, *Denise Poirier, Cem Uyanik, & Adam Zuniga….as the dog lovers.
*Ken Bolander, Channing Brauer… as the evil commercial enterprise.
* denotes members of Actors Equity Association.

Costumes design by Rachel Soll. Lighting design by Jeff Greenberg. Sound design by Tyler Easter. Set design by Maura Kelley and Dan Teachout. Stage management by Miguel Mediola & Kristine Schlachter.

Maura Kelley: (Playwright & Director) is a dog lover, director, artist and published playwright. Ms. Kelley grew up with 4 pugs and has a small business of painting pet portraits. About 7 years ago she became the owner of an adorable French bulldog named Picasso. Dog parks, dog meet-up groups, dog play dates, and dog costume contests drew her into the unique dog loving community. This show came out of those experiences and many of the characters in this play are based on a specific person or combination of dog people she met along the way.

Maura began her career as a performer (AEA) working in mostly musicals and comedies and performing regularly with Gotham City Improv in improv & sketch comedy. She has been directing and writing for almost 10 years and has directed full-length productions in which she also penned in the NY International Fringe Festival: Planet Samovar and Earth's Vacation-an educational musical about the planets and global warming. www.maurakelley.net

Great Performances' Biennial Scholarship Awards Program recognizes the talents and pursuits of its hourly employees, many of whom are working artists. With three grants of $4,000 each, recipients are able to fund projects that aim to advance their artistic careers. The Scholarship Awards Program enables us to give back to our "Great Performers" and keeps us anchored to our company roots as a support system for fellow artists.

The Puffin Foundation Ltd. has sought to open the doors of artistic expression by providing grants to artists and art organizations who are often excluded from mainstream opportunities due to their race, gender, or social philosophy.