Mad World Closes WHEN IT RAINS GASOLINE and TAPE, 8/7

Mad World Productions presents the World Premiere of "When It Rains Gasoline," written by Jason D. Martin, chronicling the massive emotional insecurities and social compromises of a group of Columbine-generation teens, navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence. Directing is Jason D. Martin. The production is produced in tandem with Stephen Belber's acclaimed three-person drama, "Tape," directed by Joelle Arqueros. The productions open Friday, July 23 at the Renegade Theatre in Hollywood. When it Rains Gasoline performs at 7pm, followed by Tape at 8:30pm.

A former high school drama teacher, Jason D. Martin is a playwright, screenwriter, film critic and outdoor adventure writer. Over the years his plays have been published in several different anthologies. Numerous productions of these plays and others have been performed throughout the United States and Europe. As a young writer he received three Meritorius Achievement Awards from the American College Theatre Festival for excellence in playwriting; and his play, "Dying Light," was selected as the Best New Play at the Northwest Drama Conference in 1995. As a screenwriter, Jason adapted John Weld's book, "Fly Away Home," into a screenplay for Laguana Films in California.

Joe Filippone was born and raised in Denver, CO where he had a long and successful career acting and directing for seventeen years. Since moving to Hollywood a year and a half ago, he has been honored and lucky to appear in numerous theatrical productions as well as appear in music videos, commercials, film and even guest starring roles on TV. He is also a playwright and was a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association's Playwriting Festival.

"When it Rains Gasoline" features: Evelyn Gonzalez, Amanda Tuner, Sam Marra, Chris Abdou, Johnny Yoder, Sara Swain, Shawna Kelley, Stacy Allen, Elizabeth Kirkeby, Kevin Forrest Clark, Matt True, Kyle Sawyer, David Coe, Emily Bordignon, Michelle Haro, Matthew Militano, Eric Rossano, Leonel Hernandez, Thomas Greene, Kelly Moran, Elizabeth Kirkeby, Joe Filippone and Kristopher Elder.

Set in a motel room in one unbroken period of real-time, the much-lauded stage drama, "Tape," penned in 1999 by Stephen Belber, follows the interactions of three emotionally entangled characters, who must navigate through their volitile, differing perspectives of past events. The production features Whitney Ayers, Nicolas Read, and Will Shivers.

Stephen Belber first gained acclaim as the 2000 winner of the Fringe NYC Overall Excellence Award in playwriting for "Drifting Elegant." Also in 2000, The Actors Theatre of Louisville produced Belber's "Tape" at the Humana Festival of New American Plays. He then wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film adaptation of the play, directed by Richard Linklater. Belber's next major project was in 2001, working with the Tectonic Theatre Project, serving as a researcher, associate writer and actor in "The Laramie Project." Between 2002 and 2003, Belber wrote for the NBC drama series, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Belber's Broadway debut came in 2004 with his play, "Match."

Joelle Arqueros, a graduate of Hollywood High School of the Performing Arts, attended NYU ‘s Tisch School of the Art's Playwrights Horizon, where she began writing, directing and producing, "Sex, Relationships, and Sometimes...LOVE," which premiered at SHOWWORLD in Times Square. It has now been running for over 6 years in LA , NY and just opened in Toronto. She recently received THE VALOUR award for her writing from Women Making Changes Foundation and has just finished producing and directing her first documentary, The Way He Makes Them Feel, spotlighting the deep impact Michael Jackson has made on his fans even after his passing. It will be premiering on Michael Jackson's Birthday, Aug. 29th at The Vine Street Theatre on Hollywood Blvd.

London born Nicolas Read is a Lifetime Member of the famed Actors Studio. His stage credits include: "The Lost Plays of Tennessee Williams", the world premiere of Circus Theatricals, "Complexity," "Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love," "Boys Life," "The White Liars," "Detective Story," "The Zoo Story," "Death of a Salesman," "Bar Five" and "True West." Feature film credits include lead roles in: "Fear Ever After," "Deadly Stingers," "My Confession," "Slaughter Studios," "Blood and Roses," "Paper, Rocks, Scissors," "If Tomorrow Comes," and "My Big Fat Independent Movie". Nicolas has appeared on over 20 television shows including a long running stint on NBC's "Days of Our Lives," recurring on the hit show, "Undressed."

"When it Rains Gasoline" (7pm) and "Tape" (8:30pm) open Friday, July 23 and Saturday, June 24. Performances continue Fridays and Saturdays, until August 7. The Renegade Theatre is located at 1514 N. Gardner, Los Angeles, CA. 90046. Ticket Prices: General - $20; Students & Seniors - $15. For reservations, call: 323-769-5566. General Information: www.madworldproduction.net.