THE WONDER BOY to Play United Solo Theatre Festival

Bob Stromberg's comic theatrical show That Wonder Boy is honored to be part of the 2015 United Solo Theatre Festival in New York City. Its initially scheduled show on October 30 (9 PM) sold out quickly and a second is scheduled for October 31 (2PM). Only a few seats remain. Performances are at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY.

That Wonder Boy is an exploration of life and art through the eyes of a youngster who "overcame a happy childhood to become a comedic artist." It begins with a flying baby and soars on a creative flight through Stromberg's unique world of laughter, joy and wonder. Stromberg has been termed "a bit like a cross between Bob Newhart and Garrison Keillor" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune confirms, "Stromberg tells terrific stories." Talkinbroadway.com calls the show "90 minutes or so of sheer delight."

The Minneapolis-based show was fighting budgetary problems to get the show redesigned for the Festival and to cover travel costs for Stromberg and the crew when Director Risa Brainin suggested a crowdfunding campaign. An Indiegogo campaign launched in August brought in 108% of its $20,000 goal by early October, making the trip to the Festival possible. "We heard from people all over the country," says Executive Producer Dennis Babcock, "some of whom had amazing stories, such as how they'd come across an old video of Bob's, and it lightened their load, and they wanted to contribute as a thank you, and to ensure that he can continue to bring people joy."

That Wonder Boy normally travels with a large video screen and projector and multi-level set. One of the challenges for the Festival was restaging and reformatting to fit a small venue and to load in/out in 15 minutes. "It's been such fun," Brainin says, "The show definitely still works. Bob's stories and performance are what make the impact; and some of the new staging is funny in its own right."

Risa Brainin is an award-winning regional theater director who is currently Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at UC Santa Barbara. She formerly served on the artistic staff at the Guthrie Theater and has directed for numerous theaters around the country. Music and soundscape for the show are by composer/musical director/actor Michael Pearce Donley (also composer and co-author of Triple Espresso-a highly caffeinated comedy); set and costumes are by Nayna Ramey, who has worked extensively in regional theater across the country and whose credits include over 60 productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Lighting is by Michael Klaers, whose credits include the Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and Triple Espresso; technical sound design is by John Markiewicz of Audio Logic Systems, based in Bloomington, MN.

The United Solo Theatre Festival, now in its 6th season, is the world's largest solo theater festival, involving 150 productions from 6 countries.