THE BANANA MONOLOGUES Plays MITF July 14-30

"The Banana Monologues" is being presented by Gregory Taft Gerard in association with Jason C. Cooper, Off Broadway at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (Abingdon Complex), 312 West 36th Street. Starring comedian John R. Brennan, from the Off-Broadway hit, The Awesome 80's Prom; it is helmed by award-winning director, Debra Whitfield. The comedy is written by Mary Cimino, Jason C. Cooper and Mr. Brennan, with lighting by Betsy King Militello for the Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival production. "The Banana Monologues" is a sexy comedy inspired by a true love story about a man, a woman, and his "banana," Sergeant Johnson. When the layers of the relationship are peeled back, Gus tries to split from his girlfriend Alexis, but the sergeant stands firm. (75 mins) www.thebananamonologues.com

John R. Brennan (Actor/Co-Playwright/Sound Design) plays numerous characters in this tour-de-force show... including "The Banana." He is a performer and comedy writer that lives in New York City. Before moving here, John lived in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a member of Theatre 99, an improv comedy theatre. John had the distinction of being the first and only performer ever to be voted both Best Local Comic and Best Local Actor (Charleston City Paper). In addition to this show, his improv troupe, The Have Nots! Tour Team, toured the Fringe Festivals in Vancouver and Orlando, and the Los Angeles Comedy Festival. On television, John had featured roles on the popular drama, "One Tree Hill". He also starred in the feature film, "Cold Soldiers". He studied with Second City (Chicago) and most recently graduated from the world famous Uprights Citizens Brigade Theatre.

Jason C. Cooper (Co-Playwright/Author) is the author (a.k.a Gus Weiderman) of the book "Tales From The Relationship" that inspired this show. He performs regularly at Theatre 99 (Charleston, SC) as Johnny Dregg, one half of the rock improv group, Doppelganger. He also plays guitar/keyboards in a popular 80's cover band Weird Science. In his spare time, he is a pharmacist. Mary Cimino (Co-Playwright) has been working on the creation of this show from the beginning. She has written many plays. Her favorite is the play Lilita, which was critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Piccolo Spoleto Fringe Festival and the New York Fringe Festival. "This one of the good ones....Playwright and director Cimino has created a post-modern blend of Nabokov, fairy-tales and media consumption and knows what it takes to be a success at a Fringe festival." (Backstage) She also writes shows which have been designed for the curriculum and is a playwright, director and artist-in-residence for the SC Arts Commission.

Debra Whitfield (Director/Dramaturg) directed Trifles which won the Beaux Arts Da Vinci Award for Best Revival in New York. Other directing credits include: In The Belly Of The Beast at Florida Studio Theatre (winner of Best Play - Sarasota Magazine) Picasso At The Lapin Agile (New York's Amateur Comedy Club, 126th season), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Emelin Theatre) and Slave Shack (Algonquin Theater). Television acting credits include roles on "The Edge Of Night" and "As The World Turns". She recently completed the feature film, "Lost Revolution", starring Academy Award winner, Melissa Leo. Her original full-length play, Tech Support, just had its world premiere at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre.

Betsy King Militello (Lighting Design) has worked extensively in lighting for both the Blue Hill Troupe and the Amateur Comedy Club. With co-designer Sam Militello, recent productions include lighting design for Little Shop of Horrors, Twelve Angry Men, Bedroom Farce and Ten Little Indians. She has also served for the last four years as Assistant Lighting Designer for the Blue Hill Troupe's spring Gilbert & Sullivan productions at the 600-seat El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio.

Gregory Taft Gerard (Producer) has many successful shows to his credit. In addition to his involvement with I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Mr. Gerard associate produced the Off-Broadway musical comedy, The Thing About Men, and backed the successful Broadway musical, All Shook Up.

Performances are: Thursday, July 14 6:00pm; Saturday, July 23 8:30pm; Sunday, July 24 7:30pm; Wednesday, July 27 9:30pm & Saturday, July 30 4:00pm. Tickets are General Admission: $18 and for students/seniors $15. To purchase tickets go online to https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/834765; or call 866 -811-4111. For more information: www.midtownfestival.org­ & www.thebananamonologues.com

The Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival, now in its 12th year, celebrates the diversity of theatre; and welcomes theatrical storytelling across a broad spectrum of genres. The MITF seeks to nurture these on its stages, with an eye set on guiding them toward future success. The festival represents a cross-section of the Theatre World; proudly hosting production companies from across the country and globe. John Chatterton created the MITF in 2000, a Midtown alternative to other theatre festivals, as a way to present the finest off-off Broadway talent. In 2008, the Festival inaugurated the Commercial Division for shows with commercial ambitions.

 

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