PFP Sets DESIGN FOR LIVING Cast

From 1930's bohemian Paris to the dizzying heights of Manhattan society, a tempestuous love triangle unravels between a vivacious interior designer, Gilda, playwright Leo and artist Otto - three people unashamedly and passionately in love with each other.

Initially banned in the UK and premiering on Broadway in 1933, ?Design for Living? is a stylish and scandalous comedy that takes a close look at three dazzling, egotistical creatures and their self-destructive dependence on each other.

Other cast members include Nora Lise Ulrey (Helen Carver), Mike Newquist (Henry Carver), Joan McGrath* (Grace Torrence), Amber Snyder* (Miss Hodge), David Lipschutz (Matthew/photographer) and James Scott (Mr. Birbeck).

(*) denotes ensemble member of PFP.

Design for Living, by Noel Coward, directed by Derek Bertelsen, with costumes by PFP Artistic Associate John Nasca, has previews on Thursday and Friday, Oct 22 and 23 at 7:30 ($15). Regular performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 3:30 through November 22. Tickets are $22 Thursdays, and $27 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Discounts are available for students and seniors. The performance is at Rivendell Theater, 5779 N Ridge, and tickets can be purchased at 1 800 737 0984 or on line at www.pridefilmsandplays.com

Matthew Gall (Otto) makes his debut with Pride Films & Plays. Chicago credits include 'Dial 'M' for Murder' at Metropolis, 'Hamlet' at Oak Park Festival Theatre, 'The Pillowman' with Spartan Theatre, 'Enchanted April' at Citadel Theatre, 'Wrong Mountain' with Rare Terra Theatre, and 'The Blue Room' at Stage 773, as well as the national tour of Griffin Theatre's 'Letters Home'.

Kevin Webb (Leo) is a Pride Films and Plays ensemble member. Chicago credits: 'Angry Fags', 'Under A Rainbow Flag' and his Jeff nominated performance in 'Songs from an Unmade Bed' (PFP); 'The Secret Garden' (Court Theatre); 'Sweeney Todd' (Porchlight); 'Myths and Hymns' (BoHo); 'The Pitchfork Disney' (Interrobang); 'Coraline' (Black Button Eyes).

Carmen Molina (Gilda) is a proud ensemble member of Pride Films and Plays. Chicago credits include 'A Doll's House' (Definition Theatre); 'Heat Wave' (Steppenwolf Garage Rep); 'Heist Play' and 'The Deer' (The Ruckus); 'Letters Home' (Griffin Theatre) and 'The Skriker' (Red Tape).

Edward Fraim (Ernest) is an Artistic Associate with Pride Films and Plays. He was last seen on stage as Galileo Masconi in 'The Judas Kiss' and previously as Lord Windermere in 'Lady Windermere's Fan' (Dead Writer's Theater). PFP credits include: 'The Submission', 'Some Men', 'Love Sucks!'.

Sir Noel Peirce Coward (1899-1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise." Many of his works, such as 'Hay Fever', 'Private Lives', 'Design for Living', 'Present Laughter' and 'Blithe Spirit', have remained in the regular theatre repertoire. He composed hundreds of songs, in addition to well over a dozen musical theatre works (including the operetta 'Bitter Sweet' and comic revues), poetry, several volumes of short stories, the novel 'Pomp and Circumstance', and a three-volume autobiography. Mr. Coward's stage and film acting and directing career spanned six decades, during which he starred in many of his own works. Mr. Coward won an Academy Honorary Award in 1943 for his naval film drama, 'In Which We Serve', and was knighted in 1969. His plays and songs achieved new popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and his work and style continue to influence popular culture.

Derek Bertelsen is an Artistic Associate with Pride Films & Plays. Previous PFP credits include directing 'The Children's Hour', assistant directing 'Angry Fags', as well as directing numerous staged readings for the company including 'Mr. Teddy', 'Sand Man' and 'Pig'. Other Chicago credits include: 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore', 'Wit', 'Next Fall' and 'Doubt' (AstonRep Theatre); 'The Dinner Party' and 'God of Carnage' (BrightSide Theatre) and assistant director for RACE (Goodman) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Bailiwick Chicago). He's also directed for festivals with Commedia Beauregard and Arc Theatre. Regional credits include: 'Rumors',' Monty Python's Spamalot', 'Red Herring' and 'Boeing-Boeing' (Timber Lake Playhouse); and 'God of Carnage' and 'August: Osage County' (New Ground Theatre).

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