Cast Complete for Joe Gulla's GARBO as Part of DUAF at Cherry Lane Theatre

Complete casting has been announced for Joe Gulla's "GARBO" at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Directed by Brian Rardin, this One Night Only performance will take place on May 9th as part of the 2017 Downtown Urban Arts Festival.

The complete cast of "GARBO" features Joe Gulla (Joe), Aristotelis Ambatzidis (Ario/Angelo) and Kate Greer (Anne/Jenn).

This past October, "GARBO" had an invitation-only staged reading as part of the Friday Night Footlights Series held in the Mary Rodgers Room of The Dramatists Guild. "GARBO" was previously staged at the Barrow Group Theatre as part of the 2011 All Out Arts "Fresh Fruit Festival". It was also a featured production in the 2012 "Times Square International Theater Festival".

Press notes state: "GARBO" tells the story of Joe, a Gay New Yorker, who happens upon the tiny, hidden, candle-lit Garbo Bar during his visit to Rome, Italy. An emotional adventure begins when he is introduced to the handsome, enigmatic, (possibly!) closeted bartender/owner. Funny and heartfelt, Garbo explores why life and love may be better lived outside the closet... even (or especially) in the shadow of the Vatican!"

Playwright Joe Gulla says, "I had such an incredible experience with the Downtown Urban Arts Festival last year! They selected my play, 'The Bronx Queen', I performed it to a sold out house at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, and it went on to win the DUAF Audience Award. Lightning's struck twice because, this year, they selected my play, "GARBO" and we will have the honor of performing it at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre! Not only that... "GARBO" sold out almost immediately after the tickets went on sale!"

When asked what's next, Gulla answers enthusiastically, "GAY.PORN.MAFIA"! Yep, you heard that right! It's a blast and it will have a run this Fall in NYC!"

Joe Gulla (Playwright) wrote and performed "The Bronx Queen" which sold out all of its performances at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater in 2016. "The Bronx Queen" also won the 2016 Downtown Urban Arts Festival "Audience Award". Joe's play, "The Voice" will have its World Premiere in late May as part of Därkhorse Drämatist's "200 Miles Off Broadway" series. "Fall and Rise" written by Joe played the Hollywood Fringe Festival last summer. As an actor, Joe played "Joey" in San Francisco's "Tony & Tina's Wedding" for many years and "Frankie" in Off-Broadway's "My Big Gay Italian Wedding". He also starred on NBC's "LOST", one of television's first adventure reality series. Joe is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Brian Rardin (Director) directed "The Bronx Queen" (Joe's Pub, NYC). He has also directed "GARBO" (Barrow Group Theatre), "Swingin' At Jack's", an Aerial Circus Cabaret (Galapagos Art Space, Bklyn, NY), "Under The Tree" 2011 & 2012 Editions (Theatre for the New City) and "Suspended Cirque". He was Director and Choreographer for "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" (Philadelphia, San Jose, San Francisco and Disney World). Brian was also Stage Manager for Broadway's "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" (Winner 2014 Tony for Best Musical), "Equus" with Daniel Radcliffe, "Well" by Lisa Kron, "Amadeus" with David Suchet & Michael Sheen and "Showboat". Rardin also served as Producer for "The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock'n'Roll" at The Cutting Room.

Aristotelis Ambatzidis (Ario/Angelo) has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boston University. While there, he appeared in many productions including: "Hothouse", "Delerium" and "Dancing at Lughnasa". Ambatzidis has also appeared in the films, "Closer", "The Race" and "Xenomanoli".

Kate Greer (Anne/Jenn) appeared on "The Americans", "Onion News Network", "Law & Order", "Surviving Family", BravoTV's "Tough", "Choice", "Wilderness", "Slow Jam King", "2nd Ave" and most recently wrote, produced and starred in her own short film "That's What She Told Me..." Theater-wise, Greer performed in Animus Theatre Co.'s "Dutch Heart of Man", Moonwalk Ensemble's "Shakespeare's Fools & Lovers" and in the Midtown International Theatre Festival's "Charles & Diana: The Musical".

For more information on "GARBO", visit the playwright's website at JoeGulla.com.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Hornstein