ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION to Open This October at Cal State Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton's production of John Patrick Shanley's Italian American Reconciliation is directed by Professor Maria Cominis and runs October 7-30, 2016 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus.

Italian American Reconciliation is a tale about Huey, a man who is safely divorced from his shrewish first wife (who shot his dog), but he feels he cannot regain his "manhood" until he woos and wins her one more time. This lighthearted romantic comedy by the author of the critically acclaimed movie, Moonstruck, is hailed as "lovely" and "bathed in moonlit madness" by The New York Post.

Award-winning John Patrick Shanley has written over twenty-three plays and ten films. He grew up in a working class family in the Bronx, attended college and failed his first year at New York University. He joined the United States Marines and later enrolled once again at New York University-this time graduating as valedictorian. Perhaps, he is best known for, Doubt: A Parable, which earned a Drama Desk Award, Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Drama Critics' Circle Award and more, and his film Moonstruck, which received three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Nomination.

Professional actor, author and director Maria Cominis earned an MFA from the University of California, Irvine. She is the author of Rehearsing in the Zone, A Practical Guide to Rehearsing Without a Director. As an actor, Maria played the recurring role, Mona Clark on ABC's Desperate Housewives and is a member of Neo Ensemble Theatre in Los Angeles where she both acts and directs.

The cast of Italian American Reconciliation includes Rey Pulice as Aldo Scalicki, Arash N. Fakhrabadi as Huey Maximillian Bonfigliano, Sarah Ellsworth as Teresa, Summer Ruley as Janice and Rose Genevieve Rodriguez as Aunt May.

Scenic Design is by Ana Martinez, Lighting/Sound Design is by Benjamin Hawkins, Costume Design is by Spencer Purdy and Hair/Makeup Design is by Katherine Riddell.

Italian American Reconciliation plays at 8pm on October 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and at 2pm on October 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30. General admission tickets are $14 ($12 with advance Titan Discount purchase for students, seniors or with a CSUF ID). All tickets are $14 at the door. Tickets are available by calling (657) 278-3371, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday and online at www.fullerton.edu/arts/theatre/events/td_productions.php.

Soon to follow in the CSUF season is Fall Dance Theatre, an adventure in story-telling coordinated by Gladys Kares, running October 20-30 in the Little Theatre. Fall Dance Theatre combines student, faculty and guest artist choreography in a mix of classic, jazz ballet and modern dance.