WHEN JANUARY FEELS LIKE SUMMER Opens Tonight at Ensemble Studio Theatre

Cori Thomas's warm-hearted and funny play about the many flavors of desire, When January Feels Like Summer, will receive its New York premiere in a co-production of Ensemble Studio Theatre and Page 73 Productions directed by Daniella Topol.

When January Feels Like Summer began previews at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00pm for an opening tonight, June 5, at 7:00pm (for a run currently scheduled through June 22).

When January Feels Like Summer follows five diverse Central Harlem residents as they collide during one strangely warm winter, when a feeling of change hums in the air. Through everyday encounters on the subway and in corner bodegas a pair of teenagers becomes unexpected heroes, an immigrant accountant embraces transformation, and two lonely souls begin to stumble toward each other.

"Any and every New Yorker knows that living here means the strange, surprising, and sometimes magical exchange between strangers," said Ms. Topol. "Our production will capture this energy as five racially and sexually diverse characters collide into and out of one another's lives in comedic and moving ways."

"We are thrilled to collaborate on the New York premiere of Cori Thomas, a playwright whose work both of our theaters have developed -- and loved -- for years," said William Cardin, Artistic Director of Ensemble Studio Theatre and Asher Richelli and Liz Jones, Executive Directors of Page 73. "When January Feels Like Summer is a funny, magical and deeply affecting story about New York City today and people discovering themselves and each other in unexpected and surprising ways. We can't wait to share it with our New York audiences."

The cast includes Debargo Sanyal, Dion Graham, Mahira Kakkar, Maurice Williams and J. Mallory McCree.

Cori Thomas is a playwright and actress who lives in New York City. Her plays include: When January Feels Like Summer (World Premiere City Theatre Co., Pittsburgh); Pa's Hat (Pillsbury House Theatre, MN); My Secret Language of Wishes (Various theaters and University productions including Mixed Blood, MN); The Princess, The Breast, and, The Lizard; The Unusual Love Life of Bedbugs and Other Creatures; Waking Up; His Daddy; our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. Ms. Thomas's plays have been developed and produced at Sundance Theatre Lab, Goodman Theatre, City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh), Page 73, Playwrights Horizons, Lark Play Development Center, The Ensemble Studio Theatre, Going To The River, Pillsbury House Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, Passage Theatre, The Playwrights Realm, New Federal Theatre, New Georges, The Black Rep (St. Louis), The New Black Fest, and Queens Theatre in the Park. She has been commissioned by South Coast Rep Theatre, EST/Sloan Foundation, NYSCA/Page 73, NYSCA/EST and Pillsbury House Theatre.

Sets are by Jason Simms, lights by Austin R. Smith, costumes by Sydney Maresca and sound by Shane Rettig. Eileen Lalley is production stage manager.

When January Feels Like Summer performs Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:00pm and Mondays at 7:00pm. Matinees are Saturdays at 2:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm. The final performance is currently scheduled for June 22.

Reserved seats are $40, general admission seats are $30 ($20 student/seniors) and Saturday and Sunday matinees are $10. Advance general admission tickets bought before the first preview (May 28) are $15. To order tickets call 866.811.4111 or click www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134.

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