Photo Flash: Penguin Rep Theatre Presents SYNCOPATION

Penguin Rep Theatre, the award-winning professional Equity theatre under the leadership of founding artistic director Joe Brancato and executive director Andrew M. Horn, presents Syncopation, a romantic comedy by Allan Knee, beginning Friday, August 11 in Stony Point, New York.

Winner of an American Critics Theater Award, Syncopation is by the author of the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, which was commissioned and originally presented by Penguin before being released as the film, and adapted into the Broadway musical, Finding Neverland.

Thomas Caruso, associate director of the Broadway musicalGroundhog Day, returns to Penguin, where he previously staged Don't Talk to the Actors, Greetings! and Over the Tavern, to direct. Ryan Kasprzak (a Chita Rivera Award nominee for Bandstand)choreographs.

Set in 1911, when New York's Lower East Side teemed with poverty and possibility, Syncopation tells the story of an unlikely couple -- a middle-aged Jewish butcher and a young Italian garment worker - who take dance lessons in a sixth-floor walkup and dream of a better life.

The limited engagement of Syncopation runs through Sunday, September 3 at Penguin Rep Theatre in historic Stony Point (Rockland County), New York. Official opening is Sunday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m.

The cast includes: Lauren Annunziata (whose credits include gigs at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theater, Labyrinth Theater, and Joe's Pub) and Josh Powell (who recently starred in the new musical The Fourth Messenger, as El Gallo in The Fantasticks at Pittsburgh Public Theater, and spinning Sinatra tunes in My Way at the Ivoryton Playhouse).

Photo Credit: Dorice Arden

Lauren Annunziata (as Anna) and Josh Powell (as Henry)

Lauren Annunziata (as Anna) and Josh Powell (as Henry)

Lauren Annunziata (as Anna) and Josh Powell (as Henry)

Josh Powell (as Henry) and Lauren Annunziata (as Anna)

Josh Powell (as Henry) and Lauren Annunziata (as Anna)