Ruskin Group Theatre Presents FRANKIE and JOHNNY in the Clair de Lune

Nominated for a Tony for Best Revival of a Play, the New York production drew a great deal of attention for the performers' extended period of nudity in the first act. Johnny is certain he has found his soul mate in Frankie. She, on the other hand, is far more cautious and disinclined to jump to conclusions. As the night unfolds, they slowly begin to reveal themselves to each other as they take tentative steps towards the possible start of a new relationship. The title comes from the third movement of the Suite bergamasque, which is a key plot element. Throughout the two-act play, the star-crossed lovers are faced with trying to salvage something that ought to last, and not self-destruct.

STEPHEN LIEB (Director) was given the opportunity early in his career to direct Bringing It All Back Home by Terrence McNally, and became hooked. Over the next 10 years through graduate school and then Off-Off Broadway, he directed numerous productions at theaters such as Soho Rep, New York Theatre Ensemble, and CSC, which provided him with a unique opportunity to work with what was then called the 'Avant Garde' directors. In Los Angeles, Stephen began his career directing films, commercials, and music videos, adding numerous credits to his resume and landing a job working with a cable company. After experiencing the much-lauded Café Plays at Ruskin Group Theatre, Stephen was inspired to once again 'bring it all back home,' and do what he finds most fulfilling...theatre.

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE opens Saturday, May 21st and runs through June 12, 2011. Performances are on Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm (No shows Memorial weekend May 28 & 29). Ruskin Group Theatre is located at3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244. For more information please visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. Free and convenient parking is available at the theater.

RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE has been making an impact on the Los Angeles theatre scene with an eclectic mix of thought provoking plays, garnering numerous 'recommendations' from local critics. Their 'Fostering Imagination' program sponsors foster kids in theatre & film classes that produce several original shows each year. The CAFÉ PLAYS, created by RGT are produced monthly and are the culmination of writers, actors, and directors who meet at 9am, where they are given a theme. They then write, produce, and perform a show by 7pm the same day. Recently celebrating their 7th anniversary, RGT supporters Ed Asner, Dylan McDermott, Chris Mulkey, Olivia d'Abo, and other industry celebrities joined to produce the Best of Café Plays (both shows sold out within hours). Anthony Hopkins and Anthony Franciosa were some of the first teachers at Ruskin School of Theatre.

JOHN RUSKIN (Artistic Director) helmed the critically acclaimed production of Strange Snow at RGT. His years of experience include studies at the Yale School of Drama, British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England, and the University of Colorado in Boulder. In New York, Ruskin joined the acting faculty of The Neighborhood Playhouse at the request of Sanford Meisner (who he then apprenticed with) before moving to Los Angeles where he founded his own school of acting and a professional theatre company. The company provides outreach programs to people in need with their "Healing Through the Arts" project.

Michael Myers (Producer/Managing Director) has produced more than 65 projects since 2002. He recently directed the world premiere of Digging Up Dad and the critically acclaimed production of Faithfulat RGT. Mike is a co-creator of the Ruskin Group Theatre's well attended CAFÉ PLAYS, the monthly offering of one-acts that are done in 10 ½ hours from conception to staging. He serves as vice-chair of the Santa Monica Arts Commission.

MIKE REILLY (Producer/Production Manager) serves as Production Manager for the Ruskin Group Theatre. Recently, he co-produced the Ruskin hit shows Faithful, and the world premiere of Jesse Boy. He is currently working on the upcoming production of Arthur Miller's A Memory of Two Mondays, opening at Ruskin Group Theatre on June 10, 2011. Mike has over 20 years of experience teaching and directing acting and theatre classes for high school and college students in the Los Angeles area New York, and at the Duke University Summer Program.

ENSEMBLE:

CRIS D'ANNUNZIO (Johnny) got his start in acting when he was 'discovered' by the John Houseman Acting Company while moving instruments for the symphony orchestra at Chautauqua Institute in upstate NY - his summer job during college. After a stint in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Cris embarked on an acting and writing career that has taken him from the stage to the screen - both big and small. LA Stage appearances include Cobb at the Falcon Theater, award winning Cockroach Nation at LATC, and the World Premiere of Beth Henley's Sisters of the Winter Madrigal. NY credits include Miss Julie at Manhattan Theatre Club. Selected FILM credits include Ridley Scott's American Gangster (with Denzel Washington), Across The Universe, and Chasing 3000 with Ray Liotta, which Cris wrote. Cris has had numerous TV roles which include appearances on The Office, Torchwood, Without A Trace, Seinfeld, Law and Order, Undercovers, and Saturday Night Live. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune marks Cris' third appearance at the Ruskin Group Theatre. Previous productions include, Mutiny at Port Chicago and his auto-biographical solo show, Digging Up Dad.

ASHLEY LOVE (Frankie) is making her debut with the Ruskin Group Theatre in their Studio Series. She has a BA in Acting from Emerson College and an MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School in NYC where she performed Louise in After the Fall, Leigh in an all-female True West and the title role in The Killing of Sister George, among others. After moving to Los Angeles recently she began working at Universal Studios playing Kimberly Duncan in Terminator 2 (3D).

DESIGNER

C.J. STRAWN (Production Designer) has designed sets and costumes at La Mama, working with Sam Shephard and Andrei Serban, and touring for six months with the company as they played the Mickery Theatre (Amsterdam), and The Royal Court Theatre (London), and The Spolletto Festival (Italy). C.J. has been a Production Designer in the film & TV industry for many years, designing films for New Line Cinema, the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, The Hidden, and numerous "Indie" films. She is also an aviator.
WHAT:Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Written by: Terrence McNally
Produced by: John Ruskin, Michael Myers and Mike Reilly
Directed by: Stephen Lieb
Presented by: Ruskin Group Theatre

WHERE:
Ruskin Group Theatre
3000 Airport Road
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(Ample free parking)

HOW:
For Reservations call (310) 397-3244

WHEN:
Opening: May 21, 2011
Running: Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm
Closing performance: June 12, 2011

HOW MUCH:

All Seats are $20 ($15.00 for students, seniors, and guild members)
Contact box office for special group rates

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