THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH Opens NVA's Season 10, Opens 7/31

New Village Arts Theatre announces the opening of its TENTH SEASON of producing Ensemble-driven theatre! George Axelrod's classic American comedy THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH opens the season in high style with Equity Actor and Ensemble Member Daren Scott as Richard Sherman, a 1950's advertising man who sends his wife and son off to the beach for summer vacation and is left alone in his New York City apartment with an overactive imagination. When the beautiful upstairs neighbor accidentally drops a planter from the terrace above, Richard's fantasy life goes into high gear and begins to invade his reality. THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH is directed by Ensemble Member Amanda Sitton (NVA's THE HEIDI CHRONICLES), one of San Diego's most respected actors and an exciting emerging director. In addition to Daren Scott, the cast features comedian and actress Jacque Wilke as "The Girl", the role made famous by Marilyn Monroe on film; Melissa Fernandes as Richard's wife, Helen; and a supporting cast of six featuring Ensemble Member John DeCarlo with Eddie Yaroch, Kelly Iversen, Lisa Dempsey, Frances Regal and Jonah Gercke. The production will be playing at New Village Arts Theatre (2787 State Street, Carlsbad Village) from July 29 - August 22, 2010. The official opening night is July 31 at 8 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.NewVillageArts.org or by calling 760-433-3245.

THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH is a comedy about a man in the 1950's who takes advantage of his family's absence over a steamy Manhattan summer to have a bumbling affair with a sexy neighbor. The play ran for over three years on Broadway and won a Tony Award for its star, Tom Ewell. It was turned into a movie in 1955 by Axelrod and Billy Wilder that starred Marilyn Monroe (with the famous "white dress over the subway grate" scene). In the film, censors and studio executives would not allow the hero to actually consummate the affair, which changed the story so completely that Axelrod disavowed the film in later interviews. New Village Arts is proud to present the original Broadway script as Axelrod intended.

In addition to THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, George Axelrod wrote the Broadway comedies WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? (1955) and GOODBYE CHARLIE (1959) and the adroit screen adaptations of William Inge's BUS STOP (1956), Truman Capote's BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961) and Richard Condon's MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962). Mr. Axelrod was celebrated for a quirky, sophisticated sensibility that always seemed slightly ahead of the curve.

Director Amanda Sitton made her directorial debut with THE HEIDI CHRONICLES in April of this year. Sitton has won San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards for her acting for the past two years - for her work in San Diego Rep's DOUBT and New Village Arts' GOLDEN BOY. A founding member of NVA's Ensemble, she has appeared in the New Village Arts productions of THREE SISTERS, CRIMES OF THE HEART, SAILOR'S SONG, GOLDEN BOY, BE AGGRESSIVE and FOUR DOGS AND A BONE.

The cast includes NVA Ensemble Members Daren Scott & John DeCarlo with Lisa Dempsey, Melissa Fernandes, Jonah Gercke, Kelly Iversen, Frances Regal, Jacque Wilke & Eddie Yaroch.

Ticket prices range from $25 - $30 for all performances, with the exception of two pay-what-you-can previews on July 29 & 30 at 8 PM. Showtimes are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM (no 3 PM show on Opening Night, July 31). The theatre is located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, at 2787 State Street. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NewVillageArts.org or calling 760-433-3245.