Rip-Roaring Comedy Featuring Tony Nominee to Open At Florida Rep!

Florida Repertory Theatre's 20th anniversary season continues with Alan Ayckbourn's farce about matrimonial discord, "How the Other Half Loves," featuring Tony Award nominee and Broadway and screen veteran, Paxton Whitehead.

The production runs in the Historic Arcade Theatre Jan. 9 through Jan. 31 with four nearly sold-out previews Jan. 9-11. Priced at $55/$45 for regular performances and $35/$25 for previews, tickets are available at www.FloridaRep.org and by calling the box office at 239-332-4488.

"Alan Ayckbourn's comedies are some of the most well-crafted," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Caciopoo, "and this one is one of his best! We're also proud to welcome Paxton Whitehead to the cast. He is one of the great comedy actors of our time, and we're honored he is joining our Ensemble Members to bring this farce to life. You are in great hands, and are in for a treat at the theatre this January. Do not miss this one!"

"How the Other Half Loves" follows one secret affair, two disastrous dinner parties, and three couples heading for trouble. Audiences will experience comedy at its finest (and funniest) as two dinner parties on separate nights unfold at the same table. Two couples entangle themselves in a mixed-up love triangle and another gets caught in the middle as fidelity is put to the test. Social graces go out the window as love, lust - and even table manners - take center stage in this unique and clever farce.

Florida Rep ensemble members, Carrie Lund, Jason Parrish, and Brendan Powers return to the Florida Rep stage in this production, and are joined by frequent guest artist, Kate Hampton, and making their Florida Rep debuts, New York and regional stage actress, Faith Sandberg, and Tony-nominee, Paxton Whitehead.

Lund recently appeared in this season's "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" and "Sylvia," and Parrish appears after directing last season's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Powers appears again this season after his role in "Outside Mullingar" in September and October. Kate Hampton makes her fourth appearance after appearing (with Lund and Powers) in 2016's nationally acclaimed production of A.R. Gurney's "The Cocktail Hour".

Paxton Whitehead's extensive Broadway career includes original roles in the classic farces, "Noises Off" (1983), "Run for Your Wife" (1989), and "Lettice and Lovage" (1990). He received a Tony Nomination for his work in the 1980 revival of Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" with Christine Ebersole and Richard Burton, and starred as Sherlock Holmes in 1978's "The Crucifer of Blood" alongside Glenn Close. He appeared most recently in the Broadway revivals of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" (2011) and Alan Ayckbourn's "Absurd Person Singular" in 2005. He is known onscreen for his work in the NBC series, "Marblehead Manor", film roles in "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield, "Kate and Leopold" starring Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan, and guest appearances on "Desperate Housewives," "The West Wing," "Friends," "Murder, She Wrote," and many more. In addition to an extensive body of work in regional theatres across the United States, Whitehead was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and served as Artistic Director of Canada's Shaw Festival from 1967-1977.

Mark Shanahan, another Florida Rep favorite, directs the production after helming previous comedies, "Around the World in 80 Days" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Shanahan was in "The 39 Steps" on Broadway, appeared recently Off Broadway as Walt Disney in "Small World," and directs and acts at regional theatres across the country. Also a playwright, his Feydeau adaptation, "The Dingdong," made its regional premiere at Florida Rep in after a successful New York run in 2016. Shanahan is joined by an expert team of designers including ensemble set designer Ray Recht ("Sylvia"), costume designer Emily Taradash (Florida Rep debut), ensemble lighting designer Todd O. Wren ("Night and Day"), sound designer John Kiselica ("Disgraced"), and ensemble stage manager Janine Wochna ("Outside Mullingar").

New for the 2017-2018 Season, weeknight performances in both performance venues (Tues.-Thurs.) begin at 7 PM. Weekend evening performances remain at 8 PM and matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday are still set for the popular 2 PM curtain time.

"How the Other Half Loves" is generously sponsored by Florida Weekly

"How the Other Half Loves" plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre January 12-31 with discounted previews January 9-11. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, and 2 PM matinees on Wednesday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.

Priced at $55/$45 for regular performances and $35/$25 for previews, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org. Subscriptions for the 2017-2018 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings, and packages start as low as $150 for 6 plays.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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