Square One Theatre to Present A.R. Gurney's BLACK TIE, 5/17-6/1

The final production of Square One Theatre's 23rd Season is the gentle comedy, Black Tie, by the prolific contemporary American playwright A.R. ("Pete") Gurney. Black Tie opens Friday, May 17 and continues on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Saturday, June 1 (2013) at Square One's home base, the Stratford Theatre, located at 2422 Main Streetin Stratford, Connecticut.

Black Tie takes place at an Adirondack resort where family members have gathered for a wedding. The father of the groom, Curtis, simply wants to make a memorable toast, but before he is able to raise his glass, he must defend the time-honored ways of his past, including his attire. Cultures clash when a surprise guest is announced, threatening to throw convention out the window. Curtis finds that balancing the standards of his late father and the needs of his future family may prove too messy for a black tie affair.

The cast includes Square One veterans Janet Rathert (New Canaan) last seen in Ancestral Voices,David Victor (Fairfield) and Alisson Wood (Stratford) both last seen in Irena's Vow, plus newcomersJohn Bachelder (Woodbridge) and Jim Buffone (Milford).

A. R. ("Pete") Gurney has been writing plays for over fifty years. Among them are The Cocktail Hour, Love Letters, Sylvia, Far East, Mrs. Farnsworth, Indian Blood, and Buffalo Gal. In 2012, he received a Drama Desk Award for his body of work. Gurney is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In addition to holding honorary degrees from Williams College and Buffalo State University, he taught literature at MIT for many years.

Working behind the scenes are Stratford's Kimberly Krol (Stage Manager), Judy Keegan(Assistant to the Director) and Don Henault (Sound), Milford's Cliff Fava (Lights), Fairfield's Al Kulcsar (set) and Shelton's Greg Fairbend (scenery).

Black Tie is directed by Stratford's Tom Holehan.

Performances of BLACK TIE are:

Friday, May 17 (2013) at 8pm

Saturday, May 18 at 8pm

Sunday, May 19 at 2pm (matinee)

Friday, May 24 at 8pm

Saturday, May 25 at 8pm

Sunday, May 26 at 2pm (matinee)

Friday, May 31 at 8pm

Saturday, June 1 at 4pm (twilight matinee)

Saturday, June1 at 8pm (final performance)

All performances are on the stage of the Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut, located off I-95 Exit 32 (northbound and southbound) in Stratford Center.

Single Tickets are: $20 for adult single tickets; $19 for senior citizens & students. Single tickets may be purchased: By phone: Box Office at 203.375.8778 (24/7); Online at: squareonetheatre.com; In person: at box office 60 minutes prior to each performance.

The Stratford Theatre is wheelchair accessible. The Friends of Square One recently purchased Sennheiser's state-of-the-arts hearing-assisted listening devices for its patrons. The Sennheisersystem is used in a number of other regional theatres as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway. Please inform the box office of any special needs when reserving tickets.

For more information and up-to-date news about suggested parking, the theatre, the plays, the actors, seating chart and special dinner offers at area restaurants visit squareonetheatre.com. Follow Square One Theatre on Twitter. Find Square One Theatre on Facebook.

Pictured: David Victor, Janet Rathert (seated), Jim Buffone & John Bachelder in background.