New City Stage Company Opens 2009-2010 Season With UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS & TRUE NATURE OF LOVE 9/25-10/18

New City Stage Company opens its 2009-2010 season with Brad Fraser's Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love. This dark comedy-drama will run September 25-October 18, 2009. Performances will be held at the Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street, on the Main Stage. Tickets cost $16 - $22. Subscription and single ticket information will be available at www.newcitystage.org.

Brad Fraser, one of the producers and writers for "Queer As Folk," takes a look at the lives of several sexually frustrated "thirty-somethings" who try to learn the meaning of love, while living in fear of a serial killer. Candy is trying to meet the perfect man but finds herself experimenting along the way. Her roommate David no longer believes love exists. Kane denies his true self, but  falls in love with David. Also in the picture is Bernie, David'stroubled best friend, and Jerri and Robert who finds themselves both falling for Candy. Overlooking the proceedings is the otherworldly Benita, a submissive sex worker with psychic abilities. Told through the eyes of Benita, the play uses and subverts elements of various genres, including thriller, situation comedy, and B horror films. Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love is a serious play with a cynically humorous tone.

"As I created a season that tapped into the collective uncertainty of the times we live in, this play was always a top pick. I was fascinated by the characters' loves and fears and the decisions they make because of them," said Dayle. "This play takes a stark look at fear, especially irrational fears like the monster under the bed or the boogeyman. It is a disturbing and confusing glimpse into a world of intense psychological, emotional, and physical terrorism."

Directed by Ryder Thornton, Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love boasts a stellar local cast. Two-time Barrymore winner Amanda Schoonover oversees the action as Benita. She was last seen with New City Stage as Rose in the highly acclaimed production of The Woolgatherer. New City Stage Company founder and producing artistic director Ginger Dayle plays Candy. Allen Radway, who last appeared in Simpatico Theatre Project's Long Day's Journey Into Night, portrays Bernie. Recent Temple University MFA graduate David Blatt plays David. Blatt recently appeared as Selwyn Piper in Murder by the Book, Herr Schultz in Cabaret, and Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler (nominated for Irene Ryan Award) at Temple. Philadelphia native Kevin Meehan plays Kane. Meehan also appeared in Simpatico's Long Day's Journey Into Night and will be seen the world premiere of Grace, or the Art of Climbing with Nice People Theatre Company later this season. New York based commercial and film actor Russ Widdall is playing Robert. Widdall played Carlson in Walnut Street Theater's multiple-Barrymore winning Of Mice and Men and appears with Renee Zellweger in the current film My One and Only. He also created the role of Raff in New City Stage's Philadelphia premiere of A Stone Carver last season. Kirsten Quinn, a professor at Community College of Philadelphia and a local actress most recently featured as the Female Voice-over in Luna Theater's Hot ‘N' Throbbing, plays Jerri.

Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love marks Thornton's debut with New City Stage Company. He has directed and assisted directors at The Merlin Theater, The Budapest Baroque Orchestra, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, The Adrienne Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Alliance's Spark Festival, Academy Repertory Theater, Allens Lane Theater, Kaibutsu, Walking Fish Theater, Wilma Theater, EgoPo Productions, Pennsylvania Academy of Vocal Arts, Temple Theaters, The Pearl Theatre Company and many others. The technical team of the show includes: set design by Dirk Durrossette; sound design by Mark Jesse Swanson; lighting design by Bill Richardson; and costumes and props by Katelin Walsko, all of whom worked in the same capacities on New City Stage's three shows last season.

About New City Stage Company

New City Stage Company is dedicated to presenting high quality professional theatre that engages audiences on a variety of levels; not only entertaining them but also encouraging awareness of issues relevant to the community. We draw our season from contemporary and classical works, with a special focus on including Philadelphia premiers from playwrights whose work and stories are not normally found in the region.

Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love
By Brad Fraser
Directed by Ryder Thornton

Cast David-David Blatt
Candy-Ginger Dayle

Bernie-Allen Radway

Kane-Kevin Meehan

Robert-Russ Widdall

Jerri-Kirsten Quinn

Benita-Amanda Schoonover

Technical Crew

Sound Design-Mark Jesse Swanson

Lighting Design-Bill Richardson

Set Design-Dirk Durossette

Costume & Prop Design
Katelin Walsko Design

Tickets Adult: $20 Thu. evenings, Sat & Sun matinees

Adult: $22 Fri. & Sat. evenings

Student & Senior: $18 for all performances

Performance Dates- 9/25 to 10/18 Thurs. - Sat. 8 PM Sun. 3 PM Opening night: Saturday, 9/26