ONLY THE MOON HOWLS Begins Tonight at Theatre Unleashed

Theatre Unleashed Artistic Director Jenn Scuderi Crafts wasn't sure about seeing ONLY THE MOON HOWLS at this past year's Hollywood Fringe.

"Several of the other execs of the company and I had tickets for a very late performance and we had not only seen a ton of shows already that day, we had also performed our own so we were very tired and not really up to see a show we knew very little about," she said. "Within minutes, we were glad we did. It was a play that haunted us for a long time. We knew we wanted this one on our stage."

ONLY THE MOON HOWLS follows Jake and Whitney, that perfect couple, certain to defy the odds and actually grow old together...except, they didn't. Though it's never easy to say goodbye after 15 years of love and marriage, what if you never even get the chance? Which shared history morphs into warm nostalgia, and which into bitter regret? Jake and Whitney navigate their journey together on a winding road of remembrance, where any of the details can shift and change, except the ending.

Theatre Unleashed is proud to present the acclaimed drama "ONLY THE MOON HOWLS" from playwright Dean Farell Bruggeman from tonight, Feb. 18, through March 12 at The Belfry Stage in North Hollywood. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (818) 849-4039 or visit www.theatreunleashed.org.

Bruggeman's play, which debuted to rave reviews at Hollywood Fringe, deals with the circumstances in which we truly learn to appreciate life and how life's smaller moments could become the most precious of memories, especially when faced with a tragedy.

"In writing this, I was mostly inspired by the simple concept of time passing," Bruggeman said. "How does a cup of coffee become a marriage? How do the days and weeks and months become a lifetime?"

Director Eric Cire was drawn by the complexities of this concept and also the characters. One in particular is a spiritual guide, which Cire has broken up into four different performers, taking an even more mystical approach with the character. Also, the show is being double cast and will feature various combinations of the main couple throughout the run, to give a unique look at this special and tragic relationship.

"I feel as though I'm living in this strange time and place with these people," Cire said. "I'm looking forward to bringing a version of their story to the stage that will resonate and surprise people."