FIRST LOOK: Collaborative Artists Ensemble Presents HOW I FELL IN LOVE by Joel Fields, Opening 10/17

Collaborative Artists Ensemble presents the West Coast Premiere of the modern romantic comedy HOW I FELL IN LOVE by Joel Fields, the producer/writer of the immensely popular and critically acclaimed television series "The Americans," from October 17 through November 16, 2014 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 7:00pm at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre, located at 5636 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038. The production is directed by Steve Jarrard by special arrangement with the author. Featured in the cast are Austin Iredale, Kenny Leu, Desiré Noël, and Meg Wallace.

According to D.H. Lawrence, "We have made a great mess of love since we made an ideal of it." HOW I FELL IN LOVE centers on two lost souls, Nessa and Todd, each haplessly seeking their ideal romantic partner as they stumble into adulthood alone. When they accidentally find their way into each other's lives while seeking professional help, they soon discover their individual stories may be more intertwined than they could ever have imagined, leading each to start questioning the meaning of fate, friendship, and true love. Can two people not attracted to each other actually be perfect life partners? With the audience acting as their sounding board, Nessa and Todd's story unfolds amid the many twists and turns in their search for true love and happiness - despite their neuroses!

Much like Annie Hall is a love letter to the City of New York, HOW I FELL IN LOVE celebrates modern love and its challenges in and around Los Angeles. Audiences will certainly recognize many locations in the play from McCabe's Guitar Shop to Topanga Canyon, The Bodhi Tree to the Venice Canals and Molly Malone's Irish Pub, bringing back memories of their own loves lost and found in the City of the Angels.

Tickets are $20 with a $5 discount for seniors and full-time students. To purchase tickets by phone, please call the box office at 323-860-6569. You may also purchase tickets online at http://www.plays411.com/inlove or at the door one hour prior to curtain. A limited number of half price tickets will be available on Goldstar. Please note the theater is NOT handicap accessible. Reception follows the opening night performance on Friday, October 17.

Don't forget to make plans to enjoy a great meal at any of the wonderful restaurants just a few blocks away in Larchmont Village or near Paramount Studios before or after the show?

If you are interested in becoming involved with Collaborative Artists Ensemble, please email us at collaborativeartistsensemble@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @collaborativear and "like" us on Facebook.

Photo credit: Steve Jarrard

Nessa and Todd meet in their therapists' waiting room. (Meg Wallace, Austin Iredale)

Nessa is happy to accept her lost glasses from Eric. (Meg Wallace, Kenny Leu)

Louise asks Todd for a ride to her car across Ventura Blvd. (Desiré Noël, Austin Iredale)

The cast of HOW I FELL IN LOVE (from left: Kenny Leu, Meg Wallace, Austin Iredale, Desiré Noël)