A.D. Productions Opens Interactive Comedy VANISHED Tonight, 7/28

A.D. Productions presents the world premiere of Carlsbad playwright Steven Oberman's new audience interactive comedy "Vanished," a play that separates the sexes into parallel worlds to see how they get on without their "better" halves. The comedy runs now through August 18 and will take place at Swedenborg Hall, located at 1531 Tyler Ave., San Diego.

Opening night is tonight, July 28. Performance times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Ticket information and reservations are available through A.D. Productions at 760-268-0169 or purchased online at www.sdartstix.com. Ticket prices are $15-$20 and include a beverage ticket. For more information visit facebook.com/vanished.2012.

The play centers on Michael and Nancy, a typical married couple. They have a 12-year-old son, and they're planning their divorce. Before they can actually separate, their world inexplicably divides, and Michael finds himself in a world without women, while Nancy is in a world without men. As scenes alternate between these two parallel universes, Michael transforms himself into the perfect "mom" for his son. Meanwhile, Nancy Starts "wearing the pants" in the house. Just as the lines between the genders are all but erased, their worlds reunite, and it's the audience that gets to choose whether the characters are better off without each other. "Vanished" incorporates audience participation and suggestions so that patrons can be immersed in the world of the play, thereby creating a memorable and highly entertaining evening.

Oberman, who was inspired to write "Vanished" after reading "The Disappearance" by Philip Wylie, traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year in order to glean ideas for creating an interactive piece for the stage. Audience members will get a chance for a few walk-on appearances, choose from two alternate endings, and start the evening at a "cocktail party" in Michael and Nancy's living room with the play's cast of characters.

Oberman, who has produced two of his other plays, "Claire Voyant" and "Mozu" here in San Diego, will be co-directing "Vanished" with Jamie Channell, who most recently appeared in Innermission's presentation of "The Vagina Monologues" and Patio Playhouse's production of "Little Women," for which she was also Assistant Director.

The cast features Jamie Channell, James P. Darvas, Alex Guzman, Gabriel Krut, Rebecca Noland, and Connie Terwilliger. Lighting designer for the production is Ashley Jenks, costume designer is Kristin McReddie and sound designer is Alex Guzman.

A.D. Productions is located at 945 Begonia Ct., Carlsbad, Calif.

Photo Credit: Jamie Channell