Ruskin Group Theatre Presents ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION 10/23-12/6

Ruskin Group Theatre proudly presents a comedy that knows "the greatest, the only, success is to be able to love," created by story teller John Patrick Shanley (whose work has garnered a Tony Award, an Academy Award, and the Pulitzer Prize). Huey and Aldo are two passionate men, who have been best friends their whole lives. Unwittingly, they set out to conquer love. It quickly becomes clear that they must first prove their manhood and reconcile with their past...through a "vampire vulture monster fiend," that Huey once married.

Rae Allen (Director) is a Tony Award winner and a two time Tony Award Nominee. She has acted in the Broadway productions of DAMN YANKEES, AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE, and TRAVELLER WITHOUT LUGGAGE. Allen has appeared numerous times in feature films such as REIGN OVER ME, BORDERLINE, THE HARD EASY, and on television including several episodes of THE SOPRANOS, and SEINFELD.

Mike Myers (Producer) has produced more than 50 projects since 2002. He recently directed FAITHFUL at RGT. Mike is a co-creator of the Ruskin's critically acclaimed CAFÉ PLAYS, a monthly offering of one-acts that are done in 10 ½ hours from conception to staging.

RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE has been making an impact on the Los Angeles theatrical scene with an eclectic mix of thought provoking plays and programs. Their ‘Fostering Imagination' program sponsors foster kids in theatre & film classes that produce several original shows each year. The CAFÉ PLAYS, created by RGT are produced monthly and are the culmination of writers, actors, and directors who meet at 9am, where they are given a theme. They then write, produce, and perform a show by 7pm the same day. Recently celebrating their 6th anniversary, RGT supporters Ed Asner, Dylan McDermott, Chris Mulkey, Olivia d'Abo, and other industry celebrities joined to produce the Best of Café Plays (both shows sold out within hours). Anthony Hopkins and Anthony Franciosa were some of the Ruskin School of Theatre's first teachers.

ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION opens Friday, October 23rd and runs through December 6, 2009. No performances Thanksgiving weekend. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm at Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244. For more information please visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. Free parking at the theater.

JOHN RUSKIN (Artistic Director) helmed the critically acclaimed production of UNBEATABLE HAROLD, and STRANGE SNOW which extended its run to accommodate demand from local audiences. John's years of experience include his studies at the Yale School of Drama, British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England, and the University of Colorado in Boulder. In New York, Ruskin joined the acting faculty of The Neighborhood Playhouse at the request of Sanford Meisner (who he apprenticed with) before moving to Los Angeles where he founded his own school of acting and a professional theatre company. The company's mission is to expose the community to the enlightening experience that theater can be while providing outreach programs to people in need with our "Healing Through the Arts" program.

ANDY LAUR (Huey) is an Emmy-nominated actor and has co-starred on the big screen in GUNSHY (with Liam Neeson and Sandra Bullock), SCREAMERS (with Peter Weller), NEVER ON TUESDAY (with Peter Berg), FOR THE BOYS (with Bette Midler), Oliver Stone's THE DOORS (Val Kilmer) and BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY (with Tom Cruise). He's best known to America as "Charlie" on the hit NBC comedy series CAROLINE IN THE CITY. His next project is GRIDIRON HERO'S produced by Peter Berg and narrated by Will Smith.

JOHN COLELLA (Aldo) recently appeared in the critically acclaimed production of FAITHFUL at the Ruskin. Other local stage credits include THAT MAY WELL BE TRUE, THE COMLETE WORKS OF William Shakespeare (abridged), ANGEL CITY, WELCOME TO THE MOON, and DESPERATE CHARACTERS (ADA nominated Best Actor, Comedy). Film and television credits include CSI: NY, AMERICAN DREAMS, THE WEST WING, WILL & GRACE, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, and NYPD BLUE. John is a graduate of the Goodman School of Drama.

Mary Margaret KERNS (Aunt May) appeared in AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE at the Zephyr theatre in Hollywood. TV & FILM credits include guest starring roles in COLD CASE, THE RICHES, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, SCRUBS, FRIENDS, X-FILES, E.R and THE SWEET LIFE OF ZACH CODY.

Amy JacobsON (Janice) is a member of RGT, having performed in many of the LA Cafe Plays. She trained at Juilliard, NYU, and Shakespeare & Co. Amy now teaches acting as well as working as a producer. TV credits include HBO's FIRST LOOK, MERGE, FIREHOUSE USA: Boston, and HELL's KITCHEN.