NCTC Presents Regional Premiere of Philip Dawkins' LE SWITCH

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center welcomes the return of the plays of Philip Dawkins with the regional premiere of Le Switch, directed by Tom Bruett. Following the success of NCTC's production of Dawkin's play The Homosexuals in its 2013-14 Season, NCTC brings the play that has been hailed by Chicago Tribune as "another significant play from one of the Chicago's theater's brightest talents." Le Switch follows David, a self-possessed New York librarian with a need for classification, a love for collecting rare books he never opens and a strong ambivalence about marriage. What happens when his best friend's bachelor party takes him to Montreal, and he is swept off his feet by a charming young florist? A witty and whimsical romantic comedy tied in knots.

Le Switch runs October 27 - December 3, 2017. Opening Night is Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 8pm. Tickets are $25-50 and available at nctcsf.org, emailing boxoffice@nctcsf.org or by calling (415) 861-8972.

Le Switch swept audiences and critics off their feet in its world premiere at Chicago's About Face Theater:

"A wickedly smart boy-meets-boy story," raves TimeOut Chicago. "Delightfully fun!"

"Told with heart and humor," hails City Pages. A "socially relevant romantic comedy."

"Rollicking and witty," proclaims Star Tribune.

Playwright Philip Dawkins is a Chicago playwright whose plays have been produced throughout the country and the world. His new play CHARM received its world premiere in the fall of 2015, produced by Northlight Theatre and presented at the Steppenwolf Garage, and will receive its New York premiere at MCC next season. His other work includes Miss Marx: or the Involuntary Side Effect of Living (Strawdog Theatre), which won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work, as well as Failure: A Love Story and The Homosexuals, both of which also received a Joseph Jefferson Nomination for New Work after its world premiere at Victory Gardens Theater (2012) and About Face Theatre (2011), respectively. Philip is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre and Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens. He teaches playwriting at Northwestern University as well as his alma mater, Loyola University Chicago. He is currently working on two commissions from Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis, and his plays for young folks - as well as for big folks - can be purchased through Playscripts, Inc. and Dramatic Publishing.

The cast of Le Switch features Donald Currie (Frank), Nancy French (Sarah), BrIan Patterson (Zachary), Steve Rhyne (David). Additional casting to be announced.

he creative team of Le Switch includes scenic design by Sarah Phykitt, costume design by Wes Crain, lighting design by Sophia Craven, sound design by Sara Wisch, prop design by Chris Daroca, and stage management by Toni Lynn Guidry.

New Conservatory Theatre Center has been San Francisco's premier LGBTQIA and Allied performing arts institution and progressive arts education conservatory since 1981. NCTC is renowned for its diverse range of innovative, high-quality productions, touring productions and shows for young audiences; its foundational anti-bullying work with youth and educators through YouthAware; and its commitment to developing new plays to continue expanding the canon of Queer and Allied dramatic work.