Beyond Theatre Ensemble Presents The Two Gentlemen of Verona 8/5-13

Beyond Theatre Ensemble in partnership with Face Off Unlimited and The Secret Theatre presents The Two Gentlemen of Verona from August 5-13, 2011 at The Secret Theatre, LIC

Those of you who know the name Face Off, most assuredly associate it with the critically acclaimed Japanese game show: BATSU! in the East Village. While their name may be synonymous with quality improv in NYC, they are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be industry leaders, as they tackle Two Gents, proving funny is funny: no matter how old; script or no script!

Face Off Unlimited and Beyond Theatre Ensemble
gets Audience Involved with Added Improvisational Dimension

New York audiences will discover Shakespeare's earliest comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, as Beyond Theatre Ensemble presents its seriously playful production for a limited engagement, August 5-13 at The Secret Theatre. The production will combine fine Shakespearian acting with the inventive spirit of improv comedy to create an explosively funny and poignant telling of this Shakespeare classic.

Co-directors Jay Painter and Jeffrey Golde will create a production that includes the audience in the telling. "The more the audience gets involved in this production the greater the theatrical experience," says Mr. Painter. "We have gone one step beyond simply breaking the fourth wall to deliver soliloquies and asides and have created a production that makes the audience essential in the telling of the story. Throughout the show we will encourage the audience to even participate in the action. The world of the play isn't just on stage, it is the entire theater."

Another highlight of the production is the incorporation of elements of improvisation. The production will feature critically acclaimed comedy troupe Face Off Unlimited, described by the New York Times as "Really Funny" and crowned a 2011 Voice Choice by the Village Voice as well as a 2011 Critics Pick by Time Out New York.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is the story of two friends, Proteus and Valentine, and how growing up and growing apart affects their bond. The story follows Valentine as he heads to the court at Milan, discovers love, is betrayed by his friend Proteus, becomes the leader of a band of outlaws and finally resolves his relationship with Proteus. Joined by a colorful group of supporting characters and featuring Shakespeare's first foray into a female character cross-dressing as a man, it is a story of friendship, love, loyalty and a dog named Crab.

Featuring a professional, ensemble cast of actors who have been featured off-Broadway, Regionally and on National and International tours as well as in films, commercials and on TV. The cast includes co-directors Jay Painter (Proteus) and Jeffrey Golde (Valentine) and the talents of Diana Johannesson (Julia), Courtnay Griswold (Lucetta/Sylvia), Joe Tex (Launce/Duke) and Eric Robinson (Speed/Antonio/Thurio).

Performances of The Two Gentlemen of Verona are
Friday August 5 and 12th at 8pm
Saturday August 6th and 13th at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday August 7th at 5pm

Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets please call 866-811-4111 or visit http://www.secrettheatre.com/home.html and click on Buy Tickets

A little more about the folks involved:

FACE OFF UNLIMITED
Face Off was founded by Eric Robinson and Jay Painter in 2002, while both on contract as actors at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, NY. They saw that the theatre had an amazing cabaret space and Second Stage Theatre downstairs that wasn't really being used, so they decided to create an improv show called Friday Night Face Off. In late 2003 they turned over the Creative Director reigns to Joe Tex, a Chicago trained improviser who led Face Off to 58 consecutive sold out shows. Friday Night Face Off (FNFO) is now the longest running improv show in Long Island.

In 2009, Painter and Robinson expanded on the success of FNFO and formed Face Off Unlimited LLC. Once again joined by Joe Tex they continue to create new opportunities to share their comedic expertise with the world. Their newest show is a critically acclaimed, weekly show in the heart of NYC's famed East Village called BATSU! Combining short form improv with a Japanese game show, BATSU! has been chosen as a "Critics' Pick" by Time Out NY magazine and a "Voice Choice" by Village Voice magazine. CBS News NY called BATSU! "one of the best things to do in NYC." Their rockin' long form interactive improv experience A Whole 'Nother Level performs at colleges and universities all over the country and was named by the Huffington Post a "must see act you won't want to miss" at the 2011 Chicago Improv Festival. Face Off is proud to be partnering with Beyond Theatre Ensemble and The Secret Theatre: the home of Face Off University, where students of all skill levels learn the unique Face Off approach to improv. Learn more at faceoffunlimited.com

THE SECRET THEATRE
The Secret Theatre was founded in 2007 by British director/playwright Richard Mazda. Their mission is to provide an outlet for local theatrical artists to explore classical works and to present new material from fresh emerging artists. In turn, they bring affordable, quality and cutting-edge theatre to the New York City area. Recently they were chosen to receive their first project-based grant from the Queens Council on the Arts and were named Best Arts, Culture, and Entertainment in Queens for 2010 on About.com. In addition, The Secret Theatre serves as a host to a diverse lineup of guest companies and artists. From re-imagined productions of beloved classics, to innovative dance performances, to late night neo-burlesque shows, The Secret Theatre has become a local attraction in Queens for audiences who want new and exciting forms of entertainment.

Beyond Theatre Company
Beyond Theatre Company was founded by Jeffrey Golde, Courtnay Griswold, Diana Johannesson and Jay Painter to put on productions that always kept the audience in mind.

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