THIS Opens at the Herberger Theater, 1/21

Actors Theatre and director Ron May will bring Melissa James Gibson's "This," a bright, witty and unromantic comedy about a circle of friends backing their way into middle age to Stage West at The Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe, from Jan. 21 through Feb. 6.

The story of four friends in their late 30s - three straight and one gay - dealing with major life events complicated by infidelity and an exotic new friend, is not groundbreaking, but Gibson's handling of their actions and interactions through her remarkable dialogue has captivated - and captured - audiences and critics since the New York Times described the show as the "best new play to open Off Broadway" in 2009.

"Its confused but lovable characters are drawn with a fine focus and a piercing emotional depth; the dialogue sparkles with exchanges as truthful as they are clever," The Times wrote. "The play's delicate pace, richly patterned wordplay and undercurrent of rue combine to cast a moving spell that lingers in the memory, like a sad-sweet pop song whose chorus you can't shake. This is entirely appropriate for a play about how we process love, hurt and loss by concocting tidy stories to recall our experience, or reshape it - and sometimes to frame a happier future too."

"This" features three performers making their Actors Theatre debut: Anne Marie Falvey as Jane, Yolanda London as Marrell and Michael Peck as Tom. David Dickenson (Jean-Pierre) returns to an Actors Theatre production for the first time since The Busy World is Hushed while perennial favorite Oliver Wadsworth (Alan) recently appeared in Shipwrecked and Lieutenant of Inishmore.
Ron May is the Artistic Director of Stray Cat Theatre.

This begins with a silly party game that Jane doesn't want to play, unlike her friends, Tom and Marrell, parents of a newborn whose sleeping habits have strained their relationship. The acerbic, gay Alan also is on hand as is the handsome French doctor, Jean-Pierre, who has obviously been invited to connect with Jane.

The game doesn't go as planned, and the party fizzles. When Tom shows up at her apartment the next day to apologize, they end up engaging in an impulsive affair, which changes everything.
"Using a variety of devices to lure you in, often shifting perspective to cast new sidelights on her material, Gibson carefully eschews the sentimentality that would have made her story seem kitschy; instead, her characters take on depth and dignity," according to a review in The Village Voice.

Single-ticket prices range from $24.50 to $44.50 with discounts for seniors, students and groups.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.actorstheatrephx.org or call The Herberger Theater Center Box Office at (602) 252-8497.