Vox Humana Theatre Ensemble Presents Love and Other Allergies, Previews 10/8

Vox Humana Theatre Ensemble (Producers Katharine Phillips Moser and Steve Oreste) announced today, that they will kick off their 8th season with the world premiere of LOVE AND OTHER ALLERGIES by Michelle Kholos Brooks. In LOVE AND OTHER ALLERGIES, unusual gatherings of characters reach out to each other in the hope of finding solace, love or even the most slippery common ground. Brooks' five short plays will appeal to audiences that have been in love, never been loved, dated a serial killer, had it out with a cab driver or been allergic to anything. The limited engagement begins previews October 8, 2010 with the official press opening on Friday, October 15 at The Lounge Theatre in Hollywood (6201 Santa Monica Blvd.).

"After reading Michelle's plays, we were excited by their variety, charm and intelligence. Her beautifully crafted, clever dialogue and clear understanding of human nature in LOVE AND OTHER ALLERGIES will resonate with the audience," said Robert Stephen Ryan, Vox Humana Company Member.

Playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks' theatre credits include the Off-Broadway production of Two Parents, Two Weddings, Two Years at the Wings Theatre (produced in 2004 by Pipedreams Entertainment Forum), which later had its West Coast premiere at the Hollywood Court Theater (presented in 2006 by the Laurelgrove Theatre Company); and See How We Are, a collection of short plays at the Hollywood Court Theater (presented in 2007 by the Laurelgrove Theater Company). Brooks is a former writer and producer for public radio programs such as Marketplace and the Savvy Traveler. She recently received her MFA in Fiction from Otis College of Art and Design and has written a novel titled, "Big Leather Jacket." She lives in Venice with her husband best-selling author Max Brooks and their son.

The five short plays in LOVE AND OTHER ALLERGIES are:

Cab
Directed by Steve Oreste
Cast: Avner Garbi and Lisa Glass

A high-powered business woman and a New York City cab driver argue like a married couple. In the course of their argument they discover that both of them feel that their real marriages are in jeopardy.

Bars
Directed by Robert Stephen Ryan
Cast: Kurt Boesen and Leila Arias (Friday and Saturday performances) and Steve Oreste and Leila Arias (Sunday performances)

A sassy young Puerto Rican woman and an older, Anglo, incarcerated serial killer explore a romance after meeting on-line.

Allergy Shot
Directed by Avner Garbi
Cast: Eve Sigall, Cassandra Sanchez-Navarro and Collins Reiter

An aspiring actress and an older, jaded actress meet in the waiting room of an allergist's office. The younger actress is faced with the uncomfortable reality of the life she may face in the future.

Preschool
Directed by D. Ewing Woodruff
Cast: Katharine Phillips Moser, Jeff Blumberg and Beth Nintzel

A mother is told by her son's preschool teachers that her son is different from the other kids. She must decide if she is going to change her child based on the ludicrous recommendations they offer to help her son fit in.

Allergic to Walnuts
Directed by Steve Oreste
Cast: Robert Stephen Ryan and Rosemary Stevens

An awkward older couple declare their love for each other and, in the course of conversation, discover that it's their first time being loved.

LOVE AND OTHER ALLERGIES plays from October 8 - November 21, 2010 with the official press opening on Friday, October 15 at The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., in Hollywood. There is ample street parking. Performance schedule is Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. There will be no performance on Sunday, October 31. All tickets are $20.00. Tickets are available by phone at 323-960-5772 or online at www.Plays411.com/allergies.