The Best Short Plays Of 2018, PICK OF THE VINE Opens 1/12

Little Fish Theatre is proud to present the 16th season of Pick of the Vine, the best-selling short play festival that has audiences lining up every year. For the first show of 2018, LFT will be presenting pieces that examine the Secrets We Keep, featuring a mix of new and familiar artists. POV is the flagship production of Little Fish Theatre, garnering audience and critical praise alike.

This year's program consists of:

Immersion Therapy by David MacGregor, directed by Bill Wolski

Ditmas by Glenn Alterman, directed by Bill Wolski

Stay by Dagney Kerr, directed by James Rice

Most Popular by George Sauer, directed by Marlee Delia

The Last Word by JC Cifranic, directed by Holly Baker-Kreiswirth

The Case of the Missing Know-it-All by Mark Saunders, directed by James Rice

Flat Earther by Mario Rivas, directed by James Rice

Wishes by Mark Harvey Levine, directed by Marlee Delia
The Train by Irene L. Pynn, directed by Holly Baker-Kreiswirth

This smorgasbord of short plays was selected from over 500 submissions from around the world. The plays take a look at the Secrets We Keep, those we choose to tell and those we hold onto: What if your greatest fear is given to you for your birthday? If you have an awesome secret power, do you use it even if it threatens your relationship? Given the chance to think about it, what are the last words you'll ever say?

The Pick of the Vine selection committee skillfully selected only 47 plays to put through to the semi-final round, featuring out-loud readings by LFT Company Members. After scoring and scrutiny, the final nine plays were chosen for their ability to inspire, intrigue, and invigorate audiences long after the show is over.

The Pick of the Vine directing team features three Company Members and one newcomer. Returning are James Rice (The Good Doctor, The Clean House), Holly Baker-Kreiswirth (Laughter on the 23rd Floor, World Premiere A Very Special Holiday Special) and Bill Wolski (POV 2011-13, Best of Pick of the Vine). New to the directing team is Marlee Delia, a co-founder of Shine On Collective, an award-winning Los Angeles-based theater organization that produces unusual and original performance installations.

LFT Company Members make up the entire cast of POV. Ryan Knight (Laughter on the 23rd Floor and multiple seasons with Shakespeare by the Sea), Daniel Gallai (The Good Doctor) and Kimberly Patterson (The Night Before The Night Before Christmas, Table Manners) will be making their debuts with the POV ensemble. Returning to the POV stage are Mary-Margaret Lewis* (Rapture, Blister, Burn), Perry Shields (Pick of the Vine 2014, '16), Rachel Levy (Best of Pick of the Vine), Olivia Schlueter-Corey (Pick of the Vine 2017), and Annie Vest (Pick of the Vine 2015).

Pick of the Vine will run Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm from January 12 through February 17, and Sunday afternoons at 2pm on January 21 and 28 and February 4 and 11. The January 21 matinee features a special talkback session where audience members can interact with the cast and creative team. Pick of the Vine has amassed a devoted and passionate audience base and, as in the past several seasons, is expected to sell out most performances.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.littlefishtheatre.org, by phone at 310-512-6030 or by text 424-226-6030. Popular subscription packages of Anytime Tickets are available now and can be used at any of Little Fish Theatre's regular season productions, at any time.

Founded in 2002 as an artists' ensemble, Little Fish Theatre presents classic and contemporary plays in an intimate setting on Centre Street in downtown San Pedro.

*This production is presented under the auspices of the Actors' Equity Los Angeles Membership Company Rule.