'Looking Up' Twists Romance & Trapeze, Premieres Feb.16

Traveling Light Productions is proud to present the U.S. Premiere of Looking Up, written by Carla Cantrelle and directed by Giovanna Sardelli. Performances will run from February 16 to March 2, 2008 in a limited engagement at Theater for the New City in NYC. Previews begin Feb. 16 for a February 18 opening.

"Looking Up is a romance with a tantalizing twist – trapeze. When a daring trapeze artist climbs down to earth and a frustrated bartender looks up from his speed rack, true love beckons. But even the best relationships can have trouble getting off the ground. Part aerial performance, part traditional theater, the sum total is a one-of-a-kind love story that's impossible to resist," explain press notes.

Playwright/performer Carla Cantrelle is the co-producer and a frequent performer in the long-running aerial variety show Above the Belt at The Zipper. Her plays have been performed to rave reviews in Edinburgh (where she was also nominated for an acting award), Philadelphia Fringe Festival (where her critically acclaimed play Food for Thought broke box office records), and in NYC, where she has presented her work in several juried or curated festivals. She appeared most recently in her own piece (Non-Diary Creamer) at the Estrogenius Festival and at Joe's Pub in the debut production by the Fire Dept., Speakeasy.

The two-member cast also includes Bryant Mason, whose NY credits include Night Over Taos (directed by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons) at Theater for the New City, Acts of Mercy (Rattlestick), Fizz (Ohio Theatre) and Devil Land (Summer Play Festival). Upcoming: Title role in New York Classical Theatre's June 2008 production of Macbeth.

The design/production team consists of Set and Lighting Designer Nathan Elsener (resident lighting designer at The Zipper Factory), Sound Designer Christopher A. Granger and Stage Manager Emily Glinick.

Theater for the New City is located at 155 First Avenue between 9th & 10th Streets in NYC. Performances run Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm with a special opening night performance on Monday Feb. 18 at 7pm. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at www.theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101. Tickets only $10 for previews on Feb. 16 & 17. For more info visit www.carlacantrelle.com.

Director Giovanna Sardelli's productions have been presented at Second Stage Uptown, the Cherry Lane Theatre, CTG's Kirk Douglas Theatre and San Diego Rep. She's worked with the Sundance Theatre Lab and the Lark Play Development Center, where she is an Artistic Associate. Her recent productions in NYC of Two Thirds Home and The Leopard and The Fox opened to rave reviews. She teaches acting in NYU's Dept. of Dance and theatre games for the Graduate Acting Program, and is an NYU MFA Graduate.

Running time: 90 minutes. Trains: L to 1st Ave., R, W to 8th St. or 6 to Astor Place.

Carla Cantrelle and Bryant Mason (photo by Jan Meissner)