PEAR SLICES Returns for 2016 Edition in May

Pear Theatre continues its 2015/2016 season with PEAR SLICES 2016, the 13th installment of its celebration of short plays by local playwrights. As befits the Pear's new and larger space, PEAR SLICES 2016 will be almost twice its usual size - presented as two alternating evenings of 7 plays each. Each performance "slate" is independent, and audiences can choose to see one set of plays or all of them. A Saturday matinee has been added this year for patrons who wish to see all 14 plays within 24 hours. Directors Troy Johnson and Robyn Ginsburg Braverman return to helm a cast of seven, who will play all the roles. PEAR SLICES 2016 previews on May 11th and 12th; with Press and Opening Nights on May 13th (Slate A) and May 14th (Slate B), followed by champagne galas. The run continues through May 29. All performances are held at the Pear Theatre's new space at 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. For tickets ($10-$35) and information the public may visit www.thepear.org or call (650) 254-1148.

This year's crop of one-act plays includes works from Barbara Anderson, Paul Braverman, Diane Gribschaw, Max Gutmann, Leah Halper, Elyce Melmon, Ross Peter Nelson, Bridgette Portman, Douglas Rees, Earl T. Roske, David Schreiber, and Evan Schumacher. The shows will be presented in the following 'slates':

Slate A: Telecommuter (Anderson): Where is the line between virtual reality and actual reality?

Wave Walker (Portman): a conversation between a woman and the one who stole her daughter.

Transcontinental (Schreiber): a sweet encounter in a San Francisco chocolate shop in 1870.

Birders (Anderson): Is it true love - or a Least Bell's Vireo?

Shirley's Chair (Gutmann): Three ladies in a retirement community struggle to keep their bridge game going after losing their fourth.

Fictus Aegritudo (Roske): Aplis has started a nonprofit in hopes of easy riches; but to his wife's amusement, he can do nothing but the right thing.

Alternative Text - Send (Rees): Juliet, Desdemona, Lady Macbeth team up to get Shakespeare to give them happy endings (while texting).

Slate B: Brain in a Vat (Nelson): parents struggle to save their teenage daughter who has been experimenting with philosophy.

It Begins with Goodbye (Melmon): a widower visits a grief counselor, but neither may be prepared for what happens.

Double or Nothing (Gribschaw): who's more delusional, the compulsive gambler who thinks they can win, or the person who loves them and thinks they can change?

In the Hoky Doky Mojo of West Millbrae (Halper): two young Silicon Valley types are approaching marriage - until their parents begin dating.

Many Winters (Halper): Marie has lost a child, and it may be up to her grandmother to bring her out of her prison of grief.

Not All That Glimmers is Gold (Schumacher): a chance meeting between two people could be the turning point they both need.

Therapy (Braverman): Alan has been in therapy six days a week for seven years, but tonight everything will change.

The versatile cast for this production includes April Culver, Nicole Martin, Kristin Walter, Stephanie Crowley, Mark Vashro, Chris Mahle, and Ray Renati. The production team includes Stage Manager Kelly Weber Barraza, Set Designer Troy Johnson, Lighting Designer James Kopp, and Sound Designer Robyn Ginsburg Braverman.

Pear Theatre began as the Pear Avenue Theatre in June 2002, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Tasca, by a group of theatre artists who believe that audiences are eager for plays that challenge as well as delight and move them. Pear Theatre produces intimate theatre by passionate artists, whether classic works or cutting-edge plays. Now in its fourteenth season, The Pear attracts theatre artists and audience from all over the Bay Area for its award-winning and high-quality productions; and this year The Pear's ongoing commitment to excellence has been recognized by the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle with the Paine Knickerbocker Award, an annual special award for a Bay Area company contributing to the high quality of theatre in the region.

Pear Theatre moved in 2015 from its original 40-seat warehouse space to a new, state-of-the-art black box theatre close by, with capacity of 75-99 seats depending on the configuration of the production. This exciting move allows The Pear to continue its tradition of intimate theatre while taking on new challenges and opportunities.