Agape Actors Co-Op to Present Paula Vogel's THE OLDEST PROFESSION

Agape Actor's Co-Op will be producing a critically acclaimed comedy from Pulitzer Prize winner playwright Paula Vogel.

The Oldest Profession, directed by Agape Actors Co-Op Artistic Director Olin Meadows, takes place as Ronald Reagan enters the White House.

With an unusual take on teaching old dogs new tricks, The Oldest Profession is a sometimes serious, sometimes saucy and often hilarious look at a squabbling sisterhood of "ladies of the evening" who have worked together for decades. Think Sex in the City in Spanx. Together, these aging practitioners of the oldest profession deal with a diminishing clientele, increased competition for their niche market and aching joints, all against the backdrop of the economic downturn and social decline of the early 1980's. Director Olin Meadows says, "This show is the perfect pairing of The Golden Girls and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas! It's a lot of fun, a little bit naughty, but all heart!"

Interspersed in the hubris and humor are a sensuous array of early 20th century blues songs that speak longingly and lovingly of the New Orleans' Storyville jazz era, a time and place tied to these women and their stories.

Paula Vogel began playwriting in the 1970's and is best known for the Pulitzer Prize winning play, How I Learned to Drive. Other plays by Vogel include The Long Christmas Ride Home, And Baby Makes Seven, and The Baltimore Waltz. She is currently an Adjunct Professor and the Chair of the Playwriting Department at Yale School of Drama and the Playwright-in-Residence at Yale Repertory Theatre.

The Oldest Profession received its New York Premiere by Signature Theatre Company at the Peter Norton Space on September 26, 2004. The original production featured Broadway veterans Marylouise Burke, Carlin Glynn, Katherine Helmond, Priscilla Lopez and Joyce Van Patten.

Agape's production of The Oldest Profession features and all-star cast of 5 talented actresses. Agape is proud to welcome for the first time to the Agape stage B.J. Machalicek as Mae, the Madame of the Stable, as well as Linda Bradshaw as the light-hearted Lillian, and Marijean Schindler as the savvy and sweet Vera. Coming back to Agape is Mary Kennelly (An Ideal Husband) as the strong willed Ursula, and Georgia Medler (Six Dance Lessons, An Ideal Husband, Suffer The Long Night) as the spicy Edna. The show is packed with live musical performances of the by gone days with Preston King on the piano as Professor Henry.

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