San Francisco Playhouse to Stage World Premiere of TROUBLE COMETH, 5/12-6/27

San Francisco Playhouse continues its twelfth season with the world premiere of Trouble Cometh by Richard Dresser and directed by May Adrales.

Fact or fiction? Life or death? Truth blurs for those caught up in this comic thriller about two executives locked in an existential struggle against an impossible deadline. In this self-referential world of Facebook, selfies, and subliminal narcissism, do you really know who you are?

"We are thrilled to present not only a World Premiere from one of America's most prominent playwrights (Richard Dresser), but also excited that our production will be helmed by one of New York's leading directors of new and contemporary plays (May Adrales)," said Artistic Director Bill English.

The cast includes: Kyle Cameron*, Marissa Keltie*, Patrick Russell*, Nandita Shenoy*, and Liz Sklar*.

Richard Dresser (Playwright)'s plays include Below the Belt and Gun-Shy, both of which moved from Actors Theatre of Louisville Off-Broadway and on to regional productions. Other Actors Theatre of Louisville plays include What Are You Afraid Of?, set in the front seat of a car, Alone at the Beach and Wonderful World. Rounding Third appeared Off-Broadway and has had many regional productions. His trilogy of plays about happiness in America, Augusta, The Pursuit of Happiness, and A View of the Harbor recently opened regionally and have been published. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical Good Vibrations and a new musical, Johnny Baseball, which will open at A.R.T. in Cambridge. His most recent play is The Last Days of Mickey & Jean.

May Adrales (Director) has directed and developed work at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Public Theater, Second Stage Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, the Hangar Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre and Ensemble Studio Theatre. Her recent work includes Thomas Bradshaw's The Bereaved at Partial Comfort Productions (Time Out New York Best Plays 2009); Lisa Ramirez's Exit Cuckoo at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (Best Solo Show); Emily Mann's Mrs. Packard at Fordham University; Lauren Yee's Ching Chong Chinaman with Pan Asian Repertory Theatre; and Tommy Smith's The Wife. Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Ms. Adrales' awards and residencies include the Theatre Communications Group New Generations Fellowship, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Denham Fellowship, the Van Lier Directing Fellowship, the New York Theatre Workshop Fellowship, the SoHo Rep Writer/Director Lab, the Women's Project Directors Lab, a SDCF Observership, and a Drama League Directing Fellowship. She previously served as an artistic associate at The Public Theater (2006 - 2008) and as the director of on-site programs at The Lark Play Development Center (2008 - 2010). Ms. Adrales is on the faculty of The Public Theater Shakespeare Lab, and received her MFA in directing from Yale School of Drama.

Founded by Bill English and Susi Damilano in 2003, San Francisco Playhouse has been described in the New York Times as "a company that stages some of the most consistently high-quality work around." Located right in the heart of the Union Square Theater District, San Francisco Playhouse is the city's Off-Broadway style company, an intimate alternative to the larger more traditional Union Square theater fare. The San Francisco Playhouse provides audiences the opportunity to experience professional theater with top-notch actors and world-class design in a setting where they are close to the action. The company has received multiple awards for overall productions, acting, and design including the SF Weekly Best Theatre Award and the Bay Guardian's Best Off-Broadway Theatre Award. Presenting a diverse range of plays and musicals, San Francisco Playhouse produces new works as well as re-imagining classics, "making the edgy accessible and the traditional edgy." The San Francisco Chronicle raved: "On the verge of opening its 10th season, the company that lived a hand-to-mouth existence for its first few years has become 'the little playhouse that could.' It quickly established a reputation for attracting some of the Bay Area's best acting and directing talent, as well as for its exciting play choices. And with its bold Sandbox Series, it's become a player in developing new works as well." San Francisco Playhouse is committed to providing a creative home and inspiring environment where actors, directors, writers, designers, and theater lovers converge to create works that celebrate the human spirit.

Shows run May 12th to June 27th, Tues, Wed, Thurs 7pm / Fri, Sat 8pm / Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm. No matinee May 16th & 17th. Previews 8pm May 12, 13, 14, 15. All performances at 450 Post Street, San Francisco. For tickets ($20-$120) or more information, the public may contact The San Francisco Playhouse box office at 415-677-9596, or www.sfplayhouse.org.

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