Reston Players Open Neil Simon's CHAPTER TWO Tonight

Reston Players concludes its 47th season with Neil Simon's sparkling comedy, Chapter Two, opening tonight, April 25 at Reston CenterStage.

In Simon's semi-autobiographical comedy, George, a recent widower is having a hard time handling the dating game. After being set up on a series of wildly unsuccessful blind dates, his younger brother, Leo, introduces him to a "keeper" . . . but Jennie has her own hesitation about dipping her toes into the dating pool again.

"It's a bumpy and hilarious journey as George and Jennie seek happiness the second time around," Reston Players president Joshua Redford said. "Chapter Two is full of Simon's trademark whimsical, snappy dialogue, as well as relatable characters and real-life emotions that will leave you smiling as you leave the theatre."

Director Adam Konowe said he thinks audiences will gain a new perspective on Neil Simon after seeing Chapter Two. "This play is really about learning to say goodbye and hello, as well as recognizing that we all have to play the imperfect hand we're dealt," Konowe said. "Fallibility and even loss ultimately can create opportunity."

"As a New Yorker, I appreciate Neil Simon's rapid-fire dialogue, but this show has more gravitas than is often associated with typical Simon plays," Konowe said. "Moreover, all four characters have enough complexity, including some very human shortcomings, to interest the entire production team and hopefully our audiences."

Jeff Breslow plays widower George Schneider and Lori Brooks is Jeannie Malone. They are set up by Greg Lang as Leo Schneider and Kristin Poling as Faye Medwick.

Lang, who is known to Washington audiences for his work on stage and screen, said Chapter Two teaches about love and loss and how hard it is to move on when tragedy occurs. "People should come to see Chapter Two because it provides an outside look into real-life situations and helps people realize that life isn't perfect, but it is what we make of it," Lang said. "This play will make them laugh and might even make them cry, but by the time they walk out of the theater, they will understand that love isn't something we choose, it's something that chooses us."

Breslow, who has won Washington Area Theatre Community Honors for his work as both actor and director, plays the recently widowed George. "George is caught between wanting to move ahead but being unable to let go," Breslow said. "But no matter where he is on this emotional roller-coaster, he faces it all with his trademark charm and dry, acerbic wit."

Poling, who plays the floundering soap opera actress Faye Medwick, noted, "Chapter Two is witty, deeply moving, absolutely hilarious, and thoroughly delightful. You'd be crazy to miss it!"

Chapter Two is directed by Adam Konowe. It is produced by Bea and Jerry Morse. Performances begin April 25. Chapter Two will play at CenterStage April 25 and 26 and May 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 8:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on May 4.

All Reston Players mainstage productions are performed at CenterStage at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, Va. CenterStage is handicap accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired.

Tickets can be purchased through www.restonplayers.org or by calling the CenterStage box office at 703-476-4500 x 3.

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