Photo Flash: MET Opens PICKLE MY MONKEY Tonight

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is wrapping up its 2012-13, 15th anniversary mainstage season with a new World Premiere comedy Pickle My Monkey beginning tonight, May 16. Like David Mamet teaming up with the Marx Brothers to write their own apocalyptic version of The Comedy of Errors, Pickle My Monkey is a truly surreal farce. Sexy, madcap, odd, and modern, the show featuring a loaded gun, a briefcase full of cash and a talking chimp, promises to be inventive, original, and fun! Maryland Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Tad Janes, directs the script by MET company members Lisa Burl, Kevin Cole and Matt Lee. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre's latest original production is an offbeat comedy that follows the doomed exploits of three slacker roommates. On the eve of his girlfriend Chloe's (Lisa Burl) high profile art opening, Bobby (Jack Evans) makes the biggest mistake of his life. He brings home a seductive grifter (Courtney McLaughlin) who turns his life upside down. The femme fatale quickly pits Bobby's roommates against each other: the marimba playing philosopher turned stoner, Hank (Matt Lee), versus the painfully awkward, conspiracy theory blogger, Jeff (Kevin Cole). Caught in the con and his own entangled web of lies, Bobby has no choice but to play along. That is, until a stone cold hitman (Thomas Scholtes) pursuing the grifter comes to collect. Inspired by the true story of the "Hipster Grifter", Pickle My Monkey plunges head first into a mysterious world, where everyone only listens to records, drinks cheap beer and wears flannel shirts...ironically, of course.

"This play is created through a group process, improvisation, three writers, and a director to steer the whole project. Each actor was chosen for their specific talents, in improvisation, in writing, and in creating a positive working environment for the group," said director Tad Janes. It is truly an ensemble based creation, scripted and starring MET company members Lisa Burl, Kevin Cole and Matt Lee and featuring company members Jack Evans and Courtney McLaughlin, as well as Thomas Scholtes of The Comedy Pigs. Also featuring original music by Jack Evans, the MET's new original comedy promises to deliver razor sharp slapstick humor with biting social commentary.

The ensemble will be ably assisted by a production team that includes lighting design by Doug Grove, costumes by Julie Herber, set design by Tad Janes, sound design by Tom Majarov and props by Katie Rattigan.

The show will run from tonight, May 16 through June 9 every Thursday through Sunday at the MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. The first Thursday performance will be a $5 preview night (cash only at door) and the first Sunday performance will be a gala night with a reception preceding the performance sponsored by The Wine Kitchen. Tickets are $15 (Thursdays) through $24 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office.

Now in its fifteenth season the Maryland Ensemble Theatre produces thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, theatre camps, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs.

Photo Credit: Tad Janes

Kevin Cole and Courtney McLaughlin

Jack Evans and Lisa Burl

Matt Lee and Kevin Cole

Matt Lee and Thomas Scholtes

Courtney McLaughlin and Kevin Cole