Florida Repertory Theatre's SPLIT IN THREE Begins Tonight

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of Split in Three, a powerful and electrifying new play by Daryl Lisa Fazio, making its world premiere as part of the theatre's commitment to nurture new works and emerging playwrights.

Filled with humor and humanity, Split in Three plays in the Arcade Theatre tonight, Apr. 24-May 10.

"Last season, Florida Rep made a commitment to develop new plays and to nurture playwrights, and starting with Split in Three, we will produce a world premiere every season," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "As New York City becomes more and more commercially driven, Broadway is no longer the epicenter of new play development in America. So, now more than ever, theatres like Florida Rep must take up the cause. The truth is that virtually nothing new starts on Broadway anymore-last year's Tony-winning Best Play and Best Musical were not developed on Broadway, but rather at regional theatres like Florida Rep (Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Hartford Stage). There's no reason why Florida Rep shouldn't be the next regional theatre to send a play to Broadway, and that journey will begin with Split in Three."

Split in Three was read as part of Florida Rep's Inaugural PlayLab Festival last spring, and in the year since, the theatre has continued to oversee the play's development. Ms. Fazio was in residence last May during the reading festival, and spent three days working on the play with the actors and director. Once the play was selected for a world premiere, more adjustments were made, and the playwright, producing artistic director, director, cast, and creative team were assembled in December for a second full weekend of development, discussion, a public reading, and an audience talk-back. With input from that creative development workshop, Ms. Fazio went back to work making further adjustments in preparation for rehearsals to begin in March.

In Split in Three, it is 1969 in rural Mississippi and tensions are rising as one last county is forced to integrate. The Supreme Court has ruled and as the deadline draws dangerously close, Nola and Nell, two poor, white sisters, are caught in the middle of a national fight. But as their town braces for an all-out battle, Nola and Nell find they have a half-sister they never knew they had-and her unexpected arrival changes the color of their world. Nothing is black and white as lines are drawn in the sand and the bond of sisterhood is tested.

"This play is very funny, extremely relevant, thought-provoking, suspenseful, crisply written, and full of heart," Cacioppo continued, "if you loved Tribes or August: Osage County, you will love Split in Three."

Split in Three features ensemble member, Rachel Burttram (Dividing the Estate), Florida Rep favorites Tyler Layton (Time Stands Still), Zolan Henderson (The Rainmaker), and Robin LeMon (Romeo and Juliet), and introduces Christian Koller, a junior at Fort Myers High, who makes his Florida Rep mainstage debut in Split in Three.

Director, Justin Anderson, makes his Florida Rep debut, and comes to Fort Myers from Atlanta where he's worked extensively with Horizon Theatre, Aurora Theatre, and others. Anderson is joined by an expert team of Florida Rep designers including set designer, Richard Crowell (Around the World in 80 Days), lighting designer, Todd O. Wren (My Three Angels), costume designer, Roberta Malcolm (Dividing the Estate), sound designer, John Kiselica (Tribes), production stage manager, Amy L. Massari (Fascinatin' Gershwin), and assistant stage managers, Lilly Baxley and Joshua Brown.

Florida Rep is a proud Associate Member of the National New Play Network in Washington, DC.

Split in Three by Daryl Lisa Fazio plays Apr. 24-May 10, with previews on Apr. 21-23. Regular performances are Tues-Sat at 8pm, with matinees on Wed, Sun, and selected Saturdays at 2pm.

Split in Three is sponsored by Berne Davis, the GE Foundation, and media sponsor, WGCU Public Media.

Tickets are on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488, online at floridarep.org, and are priced at $49/$45. $25 Back Row Bargain seating is available 48-hours in advance of each performance.

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