Park Square To Produce The Midwest Premiere of Colman Domingo's Comic Drama DOT

Park Square continues its 43rd season on the Proscenium Stage with the Midwest premiere of Colman Domingo's comic drama Dot, directed by E.G. Bailey. Domingo's twisted, hilarious, and critically acclaimed play grapples with aging parents, midlife crises, and the heart of a West Philly neighborhood.

Memory is a funny thing. The holidays are always a wild family affair at the Shealy house. But this year, as Dot (Cynthia Jones-Taylor*) struggles to hold on to her memory, her adult children grapple with how to balance care for their mother and care for themselves. Filled with laughter and heartbreak, uproariously funny yet emotionally tender, Dot is a testament to the enduring bonds of family.

Although Dot is only actor and playwright Domingo's third play, he has developed a signature blend of comedy and drama. "It's part of our tradition - to confront tragedy with comedy, to laugh to keep from crying," says director Bailey. I love the characters, their humanity, their candor, and sense of humor... there's obviously a lot of love between them. " Of his work, Domingo said in a 2015 interview, "I think it is a play for people trying to figure out where they are and what is the next step...you have to examine where you've been, where you are now and where you are going."

Dot also features Kalimi Baxter,* Ricardo Beaird, Maxwell Collyard, Michael Hanna,* Jasmine Hughes,* and Anna Lakin.

The production team for Dot includes Andrea Heilman (Set Designer), Foster Johns (Dialect Coach), Christy Johnson (Sound Designer), Rebecca Karstad (Costume Designer), and Michael Kittel (Lighting Designer).

Dot Performance Schedule: Previews begin Friday, December 8, and continue through Thursday, December 14. December 15 is Opening Night, and the run continues through January 7. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. except for Saturday and Sunday matinees, which begin at 2 p.m. All performances are on the company's Proscenium Stage in Saint Paul's historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place.

Ticket prices: Previews: $20/$27/$37. Regular Run: $25/$40/$60. Discounts are available for seniors, members of the military, those age 30 and under, groups, and ASL/AD patrons. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square ticket office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.

*Member, Actors Equity Association