Photo Flash: Georgia Ensemble Theatre to Premiere Atlanta Playwright Topher Payne's New Comedy

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET), North Fulton's only professional theatre company, continues its string of successful comedies from Atlanta playwright Topher Payne with the premiere of Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance Is Required. The production runs January 5th through 22nd, 2017 at the theatre's home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Veteran Atlanta director and actor Shannon Eubanks will be reunited with playwright Payne to once again direct his latest comedy. Sponsorship for this production is graciously provided by the Robert W. Hagan Family Foundation.

When retired schoolteacher Rhonda Charles opens an email in her spam folder with the subject line, "Greetings Friend your kind assistance is required," the journey of a lifetime begins. With her best friend Marybeth in tow, Rhonda travels to the mysterious kingdom of Zardelgnia, facing down guerilla fighters and attempting to rescue the captured Crown Prince. Along the way, Rhonda and Marybeth encounter danger, unexpected romance, and a new sense of purpose - proving it's never too late to find new adventure.

When speaking with the playwright Topher Payne about writing this play he explained, "I wanted to write something about the excitement and possibility presented by the third act of your life. If your first act is dictated by other people - parents, teachers, and the second act is in service to others - career, raising a family... Round three is really yours for the taking. Plus you have the wisdom and experience of everything you picked up along the way. I don't see a lot of stories that celebrate just how amazing that is. Also, there's a message in this, which really drives the action of the whole story...that kindness is an act of bravery. Being bold enough to be curious and helpful can lead to your greatest adventures."

Director Shannon Eubanks says of the production, "This is the most magical play that Topher has written to date!"

Payne continued, "It has the madcap spirit of those old Bob Hope/Bing Crosby road movies. And I had so much fun playing pretend on this one. I got to create my own country! The language, customs, history... Zardelgnia is a fascinating place."

Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance Is Required features an extraordinary cast of Atlanta performers, including many new comers to the GET stage.
Brenda Porter (Artistic Director of Impact Theater Company and veteran actor) makes her GET debut as main character Rhonda Charles with Karen Howell (One Slight Hitch at GET) as her friend Marybeth Mulaney. Skye Passmore (Miss Saigon at Serenbe Playhouse and Sweeney Todd at Actor's Express) also debuts beside GET favorite Stacy Melich (The Great Gatsby at GET). Also performing multiple roles are Parris Sarter (Doubt at Out of the Box Theatre); CristIan Gonzalez (Twelfth Night at Culver City Public Theatre); Jef Holbrook (Great Tuna national tour).

Ticket prices for Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance Is Required start at $26 for Wednesdays, Thursdays and matinees; Friday nights start from $30, and Saturday nights start from $35. Book early for best prices. (Senior/Student discounts available for select performances). Tickets are available now online at www.get.org, or by calling the Box Office at 770-641-1260.

Photo Credit: Dan Carmody/Studio 7

Stacy Melich

L-R: Brenda Porter, Karen Howell

L-R: Karen Howell, Shamala the Camel

L-R: Brenda Porter, CristIan Gonzalez

L-R: Parris Sarter, Skye Passmore, Jef Holbrook, Stacy Melich, CristIan Gonzalez