Penguin Rep Theatre Presents DROP DEAD PERFECT, Starring Everett Quinton, Tonight

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the world premiere of Drop Dead Perfect, a new comedy by Erasmus Fenn, directed by Penguin Rep founder and Artistic Director Joe Brancato, and starring Drama Desk Award winner and legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Company veteran Everett Quinton, beginning tonight, August 9 in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York.

Drop Dead Perfect, which will be performed through September 1, is described by Mr. Brancato as "a madcap romp that celebrates and satirizes movie melodramas, with a nod to both Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Burnett".

She may only be a woman in a man's world in 1952, but life's no drag for Idris Seabright, wealthy middle-aged matron with a penchant for perfectionism (played by Mr. Quinton). After all, she has her beautiful ward Vivien, her precise pencil sketches and manicured Key West estate. But then Vivien wants to move to Greenwich Village to hang out with beatniks and become an artist, and her lawyer gets a little too interested in her investments. "The sudden appearance of a mysterious stranger bearing an uncanny resemblance to her long-lost love is the last straw", says Mr. Brancato, "and Idris becomes unhinged, with her world descending into over-the-top comic mayhem".

"Fasten your seatbelts for an outlandishly funny ride", says Andrew M. Horn, who is celebrating his 30th year as Penguin Rep's Executive Director. Featuring adult language, situations and some nudity, the production is recommended for adults only.

In addition to Mr. Quinton, the cast of Drop Dead Perfect features Jason Cruz, Matt Dengler and Michael Keyloun.

Everett Quinton (Idris Seabright) received Drama Desk and Obie Awards for Charles Ludlam's The Mystery of Irma Vep, and also appeared in such other notable Ridiculous Theatrical Company productions as Galas, The Artificial Jungle, Camille, and Love's Tangled Web. He recently appeared as Bennett in Travesties at McCarter Theater Center and received the Off Broadway Alliance "Legend of Off Broadway Honor" and Actors' Equity Association's Callaway Award for his portrayal of Fabritzio in Red Bull Theater's production of Thomas Middleton's Women Beware Women.

Jason Cruz (Ricardo)'s theatre credits include The Tempest and Jesus Hopped the "A" Train. His new film Here You Go which he co-wrote, produced and in which he stars has screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival and SoHo International Film Festival (where it was nominated for Best Showcase Short).

Matt Dengler (Vivien) appeared on Broadway in A Little Night Music and Off-Broadway in Avenue Q, The Fantasticks, and as Harold in Harold & Maude at The York Theatre Company.

Michael Keyloun (Phineas) returns to Penguin Rep where he starred in Around the World in 80 Days. Regionally, he has worked across the country, at the Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Hartford Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, Long Wharf, Goodspeed, St. Louis Rep, Denver Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and La Jolla Playhouse.

Drop Dead Perfect is novelist-turned-playwright Erasmus Fenn's first dramatic work. He credits "an overexposure to early television sitcoms and Alfred Hitchcock's Stories They Wouldn't Let Me Tell on TV, as well as the tales (his) father told him about his early years lawyering in south Florida", as inspirations for the play.

Director Joe Brancato's Off Broadway credits include The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Off Bway Alliance & Audelco Award nominee), which he also staged at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Cleveland Play House and Hartford Stage; Tom Dudzick's Miracle on South Division Street (St. Luke's Theatre); Fall to Earth and Freed (Audelco Award nominee) at 59E59; Tryst (Outer Critics nomination for Best Play) at the Promenade Theatre and Irish Repertory Theatre; Cobb (Drama Desk winner) produced by Kevin Spacey in NYC and LA; From Door To Door at The Westside Theatre; and One Shot, One Kill at Primary Stages.

As founding artistic director of Penguin Rep he has directed nearly 150 productions including premieres by Arthur Laurents, Lanie Robertson, William Mastrosimone, James Sherman, Steven Dietz, Richard Vetere, Allan Knee and Tom Dudzick.

The production team for Drop Dead Perfect includes designers James J. Fenton (set), Ed McCarthy (lighting), William Neal (sound) and Charlotte Palmer-Lane (costumes); properties/technical director Kyle Bridwell; and production stage manager Michael Palmer.

Performance days and times for Drop Dead Perfect are: Thursdays and Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. A special reduced-priced weekday matinee performance is slated for Friday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Performances are slated at Penguin Rep Theatre's intimate, 108-seat theatre located at 7 Crickettown Road. The facility, a converted 1880s hay barn which was upgraded in 1986 and 2007, features air conditioning, wheelchair accessible rest rooms and entrance, upholstered theatre seats, and plenty of free parking.

Tickets to Drop Dead Perfect are priced at $39 each. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and young people (30 and under).

To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep's website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873.

The production is generously sponsored by Penguin Rep Board Trustee Joseph Grosso.

ABOUT PENGUIN REP

Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Brancato and Mr. Horn, Penguin Rep Theatre has grown in 35 years from a summer theatre in a converted 1880's hay barn to become one of the Hudson Valley's most influential nonprofit cultural institutions.

Founded in 1977 by Mr. Brancato and trustee Francine Newman-McCarthy, Penguin now reaches tens of thousands of theatergoers, students and artists each year at its home theatre in Stony Point, in New York City and beyond - with plays and productions premiered by Penguin moving to Off Broadway and to stages across the country and around the world.

Hailed by The New York Times as "the gutsiest little theatre" and by The Journal News for its "wondrous productions", Penguin Rep is Rockland's only professional theatre employing members of Actors' Equity Association.

Penguin Rep Theatre gratefully acknowledges general operating support from the New York State Council on the Arts, a public agency celebrating 60 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties, The Shubert Foundation, and the Cory and Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation.

Drop Dead Perfect

A new comedy by Erasmus Fenn Directed by Joe Brancato

August 9 - September 1, 2012

Drama Desk Award winner Everett Quinton from the legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Company stars as Idris Seabright, the heartbroken, half-mad mistress of a Key West cottage where mayhem and wackiness rule. When she and her ward are visited by a mysterious stranger, fasten your seatbelts for an outlandishly funny ride. World premiere. Suggested for adults.

AUDIENCE ENHANCEMENT EVENTS

Audience members are invited to enrich their theatre-going experience without any additional charge by participating in any of Penguin Rep Theatre's special events during the run of Drop Dead Perfect.

Opening Reception: Join the cast and creative team after the 2:00 pm matinee performance on Sunday, August 11 for cake and coffee.

Meet the Artists: Join the cast and crew for refreshments following the show on Friday, August 16.

Pre-Show Tasting: Enjoy a tasting from a local chef or restaurant (TBA) before the 4:00 pm matinee performance on Saturday, August 17.

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