Maryland Ensemble Theatre to Premiere THE GOD OF THIS WORLD, 7/9-25

Maryland Ensemble Theatre is proud to present the World Premiere production of "The God of this World", a new comedy by Don Thompson. "The God of this World" is being produced as part of MET's inaugural festival of new work, METLab.

The festival, which runs from July 9 though 25 at MET features several works in different stages of development, but "The God of this World" is the only show in the festival receiving a fully-realized, professional production, after having received a staged reading at MET back in early 2014. Directed by MET Associate Artistic Director, Gené Fouché, the play will run for eight performances over two weeks.

"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 polyamourous friend, a corrupt financier, a financial physicist, and a skittish and pregnant dog, and we end up with what the playwright Don Thompson calls, "A blending of "The Importance of Being Earnest", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "Third Rock from the Sun".

Don Thompson is a playwright, award-winning filmmaker and producer. His plays have been staged coast-to-coast and have 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. "With 'The God of this World' I really wanted to write something light and optimistic," said Thompson. "There are a lot of problems in the world, but sometimes it's good to laugh, and with this play my intent is to show how laughter can provide a fresh perspective on life and the human condition." In addition to his work as a playwright, his films have won awards at Sundance, Cinema for Peace, Berlin, New York Indie Film Fest and others, and have been screened to audiences worldwide.

"The God of this World" runs on Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm from July 9 (preview) through July 19 at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W Patrick St. Frederick) located in the historic FSK Hotel. Admission is $17.00 for "God of this World" and $35.00 for the Weekend Pass, which includes "God of this World" and admission to all METLab events, which include readings of works by playwrights DC Cathro, Julie Heifetz, Jeff Keilholtz, Lydia Hatfield and Michael Perrier.

For more information on the festival or any of the upcoming events at Maryland Ensemble Theater, visit marylandensemble.org or call (301) 694-4744.

Photo Credit: Maryland Ensemble

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