Maryland Ensemble Theatre to Stage THE GOD OF THIS WORLD Reading, 3/23

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present a staged reading of The God of This World, a new play in development by Don Thompson. The reading on March 23 at 7pm will be open to the public for free admission and the playwright will be in attendance for Q&A and welcomes feedback from the audience.

The God of this World is a generational comedy about the tense but often hilarious relationship between a stressed-out, divorced New York lawyer and his unemployed blogger daughter. The daughter, who blogs about extraterrestrials, is apparently having intimate relations with an alien. Her mother hears about the situation and becomes determined to stop any alien 'invasion' that might be in progress. Add to the mix the daughter's poly-amorous friend, a corrupt financier, a financial physicist, and a skittish and pregnant dog, and we end up with what author calls "a blending of The Importance of Being Earnest, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Third Rock from the Sun." Fortunately, love wins out and all is well on Planet Earth.

Don Thompson is a playwright, award-winning filmmaker and producer. His plays have been staged coast-to-coast and been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, and covered on CNN and Good Morning America. His play Democracy: A Work in Progress was co-created with the MET in 2004, received rave reviews and was a Critic's Pick by City Paper and Best Bet with The Baltimore Sun. His films have won awards at Sundance, Cinema for Peace, New York Indie Film Fest and others, and been screened to audiences worldwide. His next film project is with indie director Hal Hartley and stars Parker Posey. "It's great to be working with the MET again," says Thompson. "Our collaborations are always fun, and yet we also try to provide a little food for thought."

The staged reading of The God of this World will be directed by MET Associate Artistic Director, Gené Fouché. The cast will feature an accomplished cast of actors including Jeanine Evans, Jack Evans, Peter Wray, Caitlyn Joy and Shea-Mikal Green.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present the staged reading of The God of this World on March 23 at 7pm at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W Patrick St. Frederick) located in the historic FSK Hotel. Admission is free and no reservations are required. For more information on the reading or any of the upcoming events at Maryland Ensemble Theatre visit marylandensemble.org or call (301) 694-4744.

For over a fifteen years Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting comedy.