Get Ready for Laughter with HUMAN ERROR at The Public Theatre

A blundering fertility doctor mistakenly implants the embryo of a latte-sipping liberal couple into the womb of a NRA-cardholding conservative family in the East Coast premiere of the timely and provocative new comedy, Human Error, playing Jan 25 - Feb 3.

Imagine two families who, under normal circumstances, would never choose to be in the same room with each other, now having to spend nine months together attempting to become friends for the good of the child.

This exciting new script threads a delicate needle between satire and think piece, social commentary and goofball comedy. "Comedy is a powerful tool for exploring difficult subject matter - it lowers your defenses and smuggles big ideas into surprising packages" says playwright Eric Pfeffinger.

The message of the show isn't what side is right and which side is wrong but about the places we might have common ground - such as the fear of being a new parent. Like flipping between NPR and Fox News, playwright Pfeffinger pits NRA-loving conservatives against liberal yogis and forces each to step outside their comfort zone and acknowledge that there are other people in the world who are not just like them. The play, says Director Christopher Schario, asks the politically timely question, "Will our similarities ever outweigh our differences?"

The show features a cast of exceptional comic actors from New York, several who have previously appeared at The Public Theatre. Starring as the NPR listening liberal couple Madelyn and Keenan are Laura Baranikand Terrell Wheeler. Laura appeared in Bedlam Theater's award-winning Off-Broadway production Sense & Sensibility (Lucille Lortel, Drama League nominations; Off-Broadway Alliance Award), and Terrell has been performing in regional theatres throughout the country as well as on television in Blue Bloods, Madam Secretary, The Code & Elementary. The right-wing side of the country will be represented by Joe Gately and Heather Dilly as Jim and Heather. Joe was last seen at The Public Theatre in Good People and Heather will be recognizable to TPT audiences from her work in Ripcord, Love/Sick, Indoor Outdoor, Gunshyand Soccer Moms. Rounding out the cast as the hilarious fertility doctor will be Dale Place. Dale last appeared on Broadway with Mary Louise Parker in Heisenberg, as well in plays at Lincoln Center and Shakespeare in the Park and has a long history of comic roles at The Public Theatre.

Set design is by Kit Mayer, lighting by Heather Crocker, and sound by John Morrison.

Once again, The Public Theatre will continue its FREE pre-show events on opening night with a pre-show beer tasting compliments of Baxter Beer, and a pre-show wine-tasting in the lobby sponsored by Roopers before the Thursday, Jan 31st performance.

Human Error is playing at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre, Jan 25- Feb 3. Thurs, Fri & Sat at 7:30pm, Sun at 2pm with an added Sat matinee on Feb 2 at 3pm. Tickets: $20 Adults, $17 groups, $5 for 18 and under. For tickets visit thepublictheatre.org or call 782-3200. The Theatre is located at 31 Maple St. Lewiston.

Photo: Seated left to right: Dale Place, Laura Baranik, Heather Dilly - Standing left to right: Terrell Wheeler, Joe Gately