The Marx Brothers Meet Greek Tragedy at Florida Rep!

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of "The House of Blue Leaves", a zany and hilarious farce by multiple Tony-winning playwright and two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, John Guare.

Playing January 3 through 25, the Marx Brothers meets Greek tragedy in this outrageous comedy that follows the strangest day in the life of a New York zookeeper with big dreams. Artie Shaughnessy has aspirations of being a famous songwriter, but what his downstairs mistress, Bunny, won't tell him, and his wife, Bananas (who is), tries to impart is that Artie's songs stink. But today, October 4th 1965, is different because the Pope is coming to Queens, miracles are in the air, and anything is possible.

"This play is unlike any other farce you've ever seen," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "It is all at once the zaniest farce and the most touching portrait of one family reaching for the stars and missing. Our audiences will recognize the most Florida Rep ensemble members onstage at the same time all season. From director, Chris Clavelli, to a cast that includes Greg Longenhagen, Carrie Lund, and Rachel Burttram, this production is one of Florida Rep's you do not want to miss."

"The House of Blue Leaves" features Florida Rep ensemble members Greg Longenhagen ("Twelve Angry Men", Around the World in 80 Days"), Rachel Burttram ("Best of Enemies", "Split in Three"), Carrie Lund ("Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End", "The Cocktail Hour"), Brendan Powers ("The Mousetrap", "The Cocktail Hour"), and as three nuns who stumble into the wrong apartment at the wrong time, Viki Boyle ("Over the River and Through the Woods", "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"), Michelle Damato ("I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti", "Sylvia"), and Jason Parrish ("The Santaland Diaries", "The Dingdong"). The cast also features New York actors, Lee Fitzpatrick and Tom McVey, making their Florida Rep debuts, and Florida Rep interns, Sam Bostic (Florida Rep debut) and Nate Ritsema ("The Mousetrap").

Longtime Ensemble Member, Chris Clavelli ("The Cocktail Hour", "Tribes"), directs the production, and is joined by an expert team of designers including set designer, Ray Recht ("The Cocktail Hour"), costume designer, Alexandria Vazquez ("Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End"), lighting designer, Todd O. Wren ("Too Marvelous For Words"), Sound Designer, John Kiselica ("Split in Three"), and production stage manager, Janine Wochna ("Over the River and Through the Woods").

"The House of Blue Leaves" plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre January 6-25 with four nearly sold-out previews January 3 at 8pm, January 4 at 2pm and 8pm, and January 5 at 8pm. Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Wednesday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.

Priced at $52/$45 and $32/$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 2016-2017 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings, and packages start as low as $125 for 3 plays.

"The House of Blue Leaves" is Generously Sponsored By Raymond James

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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