Theatre In The Park Kicks Off 2nd Series Today With PSYCHO BEACH PARTY

Sand. Sun. Surfboards. Boys. Bikinis. Beaches. It's a party! A "Psycho Beach Party!" Theatre In The Park is proud to open its new Second Series, productions and events not included with Mainstage Membership, with the Charles Busch camp classic, Psycho Beach Party, today, July 26-August 4, 2013.

In this high camp spoof of beach movies, Frankie and Annette beach party epics and Hitchcock psychological suspense thrillers are given a shotgun marriage. Chicklet Forrest, a teenage tomboy, desperately wants to be part of the surf crowd on Malibu Beach in 1962. One thing getting in her way is her unfortunate tendency towards split personalities. Among them is a black check out girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve and the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman. Her most dangerous alter ego is a sexually voracious vixen named Ann Bowman who has nothing less than world domination on her mind.

"When we started our search for a show with the new Second Series, I wanted the first show to be a play that would appeal to everyone." says director Ira David Wood IV. "Psycho Beach Party truly has something for everyone. It's comedic off the wall spoof of the Beach movies of the 1960's with a surprising but touching twist ending. We have incorporated many songs from that era into the show as well a Go-Go dance numbers, the Limbo, real sand covering the stage, and even a Chubby Checker impersonator!"

Wood has assembled a fun, eclectic cast for this show. Theatre In The Park veteran Kelly McConkey will return to the stage as Chicklet, with Preston Stewart Campbell making his debut as King of the Surf Bums, Kanaka. Triangle theatre veterans Sandi Sullivan, Thomas Porter, and Lori Ingle Taylor round out the zany cast of beach bums as Chicklet's mother, Ms. Forrest, surfer Yo Yo, and movie star, Bettina Barnes. Choreographer, Jade Carlisle has assembled a stellar group of dancers that bring the stage to life with energetic dance numbers that bring us back to 1960's Malibu.

"In this day and time, I think it's important for people to laugh and enjoy life," says Wood. "This show gives us the opportunity to show that theatre can be such a wonderful and fun experience whether you are on a date, or with a group of friends. This play delivers essential summer fun and laughs. It's a great show to see, especially if you are seeing theatre for the first time!"

Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch is performed today, July 26-27; August 1-3 at 7:30pm and July 28; August 4 at 3:00pm. There will also be a special late show on August 3rd at 10:30pm, Performances are at Theatre In The Park in the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre. Ticket prices are $22 for adults, $16 for students and seniors over 60. Reservations can be made online, www.theatreinthepark.com, or by calling the Theatre In The Park Box Office at 919.831.6058.

Theatre In The Park, located in the northern end of Raleigh's scenic Pullen Park adjacent to North Carolina State University, has been entertaining audiences since 1947. Theatre In The Park is one of North Carolina's largest non-profit performing arts organizations and is acclaimed for its numerous outstanding theatrical achievements. Each season Theatre In The Park presents an exceptional series of productions including the very best in comedy, original musicals, Shakespeare, and contemporary drama.

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