Playwright Gene Abravaya Reveals New Comedy, THE FINAL SCENE, 3/4-27
By: Meghan Schuler
The inspiration for the new stage comedy THE FINAL SCENE comes directly from Santa Rosa playwright Gene Abravaya's personal experience working on the set of a popular daytime television soap opera.
THE FINAL SCENE makes its world premiere at Santa Rosa's 6th Street Playhouse, opening March 4 and playing through March 27, 2011. San Francisco Bay Area actor, Tim Kniffin (fresh off his successful directorial debut of the 2010 Narrow Way Stage Company production of THE SEAFARER in Northern California), directs.Set in the 1980's, THE FINAL SCENE takes place on the set of the long running daytime television soap "The Promising Dawn." The ratings for certain "Promising Dawn" cast members aren't as high as they once were and Gretchen Manning, lead actress of the daytime soap (and the soap's creator), learns her character has been written off the soap. The story plays out as cast and crew try to complete the taping for the day as the leading lady struggles with her final scene. Equity actress Jennifer Weil portrays Gretchen Manning. Actors Tice Allison, Kendall Carroll, Peter Downey, Julia Hoff, Paul Huberty, Freddie Lambert, Rebekah Patti, Eric Thompson, Jacquelyn Wells and Matthew Witthaus round out the cast of quirky characters.Abravaya's inspiration for the play comes from his real life experiences working four years on the set of the daytime soap opera "As the World Turns."THE FINAL SCENE is the Second Stage premiere for the playwright. His first play, THE BOOK OF MATTHEW, featuring Will Marchetti, had its world premiere in 2009 in Northern California.A significant member of San Francisco's North Bay theater community, Abravaya is director and performing arts specialist at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park, Calif. Abravaya has also worked in the North Bay as a theater director ("Into the Woods" - 6th Street Playhouse) and as an actor. His recent stage appearances include IN THE MOOD and THE MUSIC MAN, both presented at the 6th Street Playhouse. For tickets or more information about THE FINAL SCENE, call 707-523-4185 or visit www.6thstreetplayhouse.com
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