MORE FUN THAN BOWLING Makes Its Jersey Premiere At 12 Miles West Theater 5/14

12 Miles West Theatre Company is about to present the New Jersey premiere of Steven Dietz' quirky and hysterical More Fun Than Bowling. This intriguing look at love, life and the perils of bowling will be on stage at 12 Miles West Theatre Company, in residence at Playwrights Theatre in Madison, May 14th through June 7th with an opening night "Meet the Artists" reception on Friday, May 15th.

Perhaps as intriguing as the play is its artistic collaboration among the artistic directors from three of New Jersey's professional theaters. "It actually took a great deal of coordination to pull this off," says Artistic Director of 12 Miles West Lenny Bart who is starring in the production as Jake Tomlinson, a man reviewing the events of his life that have led him to a crossroads.

"We've been colleagues and have enjoyed each other's work for many years but to have the opportunity to work together is rather unique," says Bart speaking of the director for the piece John Pietrowski, Artistic Director of Playwrights Theatre in Madison, and Laura Ekstrand, Artistic Director of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre in South Orange, appearing as Loretta one of Jake's former wives.

Returning to 12 Miles West's stage after six years is a big deal for Bart. "So much of my energy is directed towards running the company and lately towards finding a permanent home. Directing has been very satisfying artistically, but it's a luxury to turn the reigns over to John and be able to act...and with my wife," adds Bart with a smile. Managing Director for 12 Miles West, Tricia Burr, will be appearing alongside her husband as Lois another of Jake's former wives. They last appeared together at 12 Miles West in 2003 in Bright Ideas as a Macbeth-like couple determined to get their child in to the right pre-school. Bart has received critical acclaim for his recent appearances in Kindertransport, Dirty Blonde, Frankie & Johnny and Mauritius with the Womens' Theatre Company in Parsippany and in A Few Good Men at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven. His previous on-stage appearances in Bright Ideas and The Appointment for 12 Miles West have also garnered critical praise. Bart says, "we hope this piece will be a celebration of all that's best about New Jersey theater and what we've come to be known for at 12 Miles West-great storytelling coupled with thrilling acting and a terrific play."

Director of More Fun Than Bowling, John Pietrowski, is entering his 19th year as Artistic Director of Playwrights Theatre and has been at the theatre since its first production nearly 24 years ago. In his tenure at Playwrights, he has directed over 25 productions (some as co-productions with NJ Repertory Company and Shadowland Theatre) and innumerable readings. He also performed the role of Schrag in Playwrights' acclaimed 2008 production of Sedition by David Wiltse, which later played at Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville, NY.

The artistic team for the 12 Miles West production is rounded out with Scenic Design by Jessica Parks (Long Branch), Sound Design by Jeff Knapp (Randolph), Technical Direction by James Sullivan (Madison), and Production Stage Manager Dawn M. D'Arrigo (Jersey City). Starring in the production are Lenny Bart (Summit), Tricia Burr (Summit), Laura Ekstrand (Livingston), Michael Giorgio (Bloomfield), and Jenelle Sosa (Jersey City).
12 Miles West Theatre Company's production of More Fun Than Bowling by Steven Dietz will be presented Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday afternoons at 3pm, May 14-June 7, 2009. Tickets are $26 general admission/$21 for seniors and students. All tickets $15 for a Preview performance on Thurs., May 14 only.

Thursday performances are Buy One Ticket/Get One Ticket Free and will be followed by a talk back with the cast. 12 Miles West is offering an Audio Described performance on Sunday, May 24. 12 Miles West Theatre Company is in residence at Playwrights Theatre located at 33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ 07940. For reservations or additional information, call the theatre at (973) 259-9187 or purchase tickets on-line at www.12MilesWest.org.

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