Florida Rep to Conclude Season with EDUCATING RITA, 4/19-5/5

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of the final play in its Fifteenth Anniversary Season, a touching, Olivier Award-winning Best Comedy, Educating Rita by Willy Russell.

Playing through May 5th, Educating Rita is an hilarious and touching story where sparks fly between teacher and student as one discovers a hidden passion and the other a new lease on life.

"This is truly one of the great plays of the 20th century," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "it is very funny, very truthful, and is a really hopeful and moving story of one woman's journey to reinvent herself. You will remember the film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters, and I know you will love Florida Rep's take on this beautiful story."

Rita is a brash young hairdresser with a free spirit. Frank is a disillusionEd English professor who hides behind booze and books. Eager to improve her lot in life, Rita enrolls in classes at the local university, but when these two very different people come together, sparks fly.

From the author of Florida Rep's 2009 hit, Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita stars Florida Rep Ensemble Member, WilLiam McNulty as Frank, and introduces Southwest Florida audiences to Jessica Wortham, another regional theatre veteran, making her Florida Rep debut as Rita. McNulty is a veteran of the regional stage and has been a resident company member with Actors Theatre of Louisville since 1976. Mr. McNulty was seen earlier this season in Time Stands Still and Other Desert Cities. Ms Wortham is an award-winning regional theatre actress whose appearances include Off Broadway, Geva Theatre (Rochester), Virginia Stage Company, San Jose Rep, Capital Rep (Albany, NY), Trinity Rep (Providence), and various international stages.

Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli (Time Stands Still; The Santaland Diaries), directs the play, and is joined by an expert team of Florida Rep's Ensemble of designers. Robert F. Wolin (God of Carnage) designs the set, Kate Smith (King o' the Moon) designs the lights, and Roberta Malcolm (The Little Foxes) is the costume designer. The sound designer is Tim Cobb (Time Stands Still) and production stage manager, Melissa A. Nathan, makes her Florida Rep debut with Educating Rita.

Educating Rita by Willy Russell plays Apr. 19 - May 5, with three nearly sold out preview performances on Apr. 16, 17 and 18. Regular performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays at 2pm, plus a 7pm twilight performance on Sun., Apr. 21.

Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at floridarep.org. Subscribe now to the 2013-14 Season for the best seats and biggest savings. Single tickets are priced at $45 and $40, and $25 for discounted previews.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry Streets with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District.

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