T. Schreiber Studio Presents Alan Ayckbourn's JOKING APART, Opens 5/28

T. Schreiber Studio (Terry Schreiber, Artistic Director), recipient of five New York Innovative Theatre Awards, presents JOKING APART, Alan Ayckbourn's 1979 play, directed by Peter Jensen, at the Gloria Maddox Theatre at T. Schreiber Studio (151 West 26th St., 7th Floor). Previews began May 20, 2010, with the official press opening set for May 28th.

Richard and Anthea seem to have it all: a lovely country house, two wonderful children, and a natural social charm that captivates the friends surrounding them. Or do they? Cleverly crafted with vintage Ayckbourn wit, JOKING APART simmers with triumphs on and off the tennis court, ongoing rivalries, petty jealousies, unrequited love and lust, and the tantalizing question, "What is happiness?"

JOKING APART stars Michael W. Murray (Richard), Aleksandra Stattin (Anthea), Michael J. Connolly (Hugh), Alison Bair (Louise), James Liebman (Sven), Stephanie Seward (Olive), Sebastian Montoya (Brian) and Anisa Dema (Melody/Mandy/Mo and Debbie).

Directed by Peter Jensen, whose production of FIFTH OF JULY was hailed "a sparkling revival" by Back Stage last summer, the JOKING APART production team includes Matt Brogan (Set Design), Anne Wingate (Costume Design), Eric Cope (Lighting Design), Andy Cohen (Sound Design), Page Clements (Dialect Coach), Liz Elise Richards* (Stage Manager), Barbara Kielhofer (Producing Coordinator) and Julia Kelly (Assistant Director).

T. Schreiber Studio (TSS) has been a creative community for actors since 1969. TSS is acknowledged as one of the foremost professional theatre studios in New York City. For four decades, TSS has been the training ground for more than 300 actors each year, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in theatre, film, and television. TSS received five awards from the Back Stage Readers Poll in 2009, including Favorite Off-Off Broadway Theatre. The studio's high quality productions continue to reinforce a reputation for excellence among audiences and the theatrical community. Martin Denton of NYTheatre.com raves that TSS "has become one of indie theater's treasures, featuring first-class productions of classic and new plays with incomparable (and award-winning) production values." For more information, visit www.tschreiber.org.

Scheduled May 20th through June 27th, performances of JOKING APART run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm at The Gloria Maddox Theatre at T. Schreiber Studio (151 West 26th Street, 7th Floor, between 6th and 7th Ave.; Subway: F/V to 23rd or 1 to 28th St.). Tickets are $25 by calling 212-352-3101 or by visiting www.tschreiber.org.

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