Phoenix Theatre to Stage CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE, 9/18-10/19

Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces Clark Gable Slept Here opening September 18 on the Steve and Livia Russell Stage. This production runs through October 19, 2014, with Bryan Fonseca serving as director. The production will be a regional premiere, with the play having had its world premiere at Zoetic Stage in Miami earlier this year in the spring of 2014. Clark Gable Slept Here is the first production of the Phoenix Theatre's 32nd Season.

This dark comedy is a peek behind the curtain of the cynical, "real" world of Hollywood...

As one of the silver screen's brightest stars charms his way through the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, his staff tries to figure out what to do with the dead male prostitute in his hotel room at the famed Chateau Marmont. This glamorously dark satire explores the make-believe world of Hollywood, where nothing is ever what it seems and closets are used for so much more than hanging up your tuxedo.

"The first show of the season is probably the most critical show of the season as far as selection goes because it sets the tone for the entire season. I was looking for a comedy because at this time we all need a little laughter in our lives. I ultimately chose Clark Gable Slept Herebecause I was looking for something fun, something timely, and something that was absolutely new because that's our mission-to produce new work-and this play absolutely fulfills all of these requirements.

"It is a crazy funny show, and just has one surprise after another, and I think that it very wisely and accurately captures a lot of the dark side of what goes down in Hollywood. And I think that is serves as a great lesson that we're all just human, we all have flaws. We put stars on pedestals when in reality they are no different from any of us-making movies is just a job after all. But I also think people coming to the show should just come in knowing they're going to have a good time." -Bryan Fonseca, Phoenix Theatre Producing Director

Bryan Fonseca is beginning his 32nd Season as the Producing Director of the Phoenix Theatre. Bryan serves as Producer for all Phoenix Theatre productions, and this season he will also be directing Old Jews Telling Jokes, A Very Phoenix Xmas 9: Flashing Through the Snow, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea.

As with last season's kick-off performance of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the 32nd Season kick-off production of Clark Gable Slept Here is also starring Phoenix Theatre favorites Charles Goad and Jen Johansen. Playing the role of Jarrod "Hilly" Hilliard," the fast-talking talent manager of the never seen movie star of the play, is Charles Goad. Charles is a founding member of the Phoenix and has appeared in over 40 productions beginning with the inaugural production of Warp up to the present. He comes to Clark Gable Slept Here after spending the summer working on productions of Hair for Summer Stock Stage, The Tempest for Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre, and The Useful Woman in IndyFringe. Charles will also be directing Buyer and Cellar at the Phoenix later this season. Jen Johansen plays the ruthless Hollywood "fixer," Morgan Wright. A staple in the Indianapolis acting community, Jen was recently on the Phoenix stage in ShadowApe'sJen/Con by Bennett Ayres, the number two show of the 2014 IndyFringe. Jen has also appeared at the IRT in many productions including, The Game's Afoot, Syringa Tree, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, and A Christmas Carol.

Rounding out the cast are Josh Coomer as Gage Holland, the Chateau Marmont's image concerned concierge, Tyler Ostrander as Travis,the dead [naked] prostitute/PR disaster incarnate, and Maria Diaz as Estella, the savvy hotel maid who discovers Travis' body. Josh was last seen at the Phoenix in last season's Rancho Mirage and North of the Boulevard. He is a graduate of Ball State's Theatre Department, and he received his MFA from the prestigious National Theatre Conservatory. This production marks the Phoenix debut for Tyler Ostrander, though he has been in other Indianapolis productions since his graduation from Butler's Theatre Department in 2013 including Lucentio in The Taming of the Shrew (HART), Florizel/Cleomenes in The Winter's Tale (IndyShakes), and Woof in Hair (Bobdirex). Maria Diaz returns to the Phoenix Stage after portraying several roles in her Phoenix debut in last season's Bless Me, Ultima. Hailing from Spain, the Phoenix flew Maria in from her home city of Madrid for the run of the show. Upon completion of the production, Maria is moving to Ireland where she will be pursuing a Master's Degree in The Michael Chekhov Technique on Acting.

With wit, insight and a healthy dose of his quirky sense of humor, Michael McKeever continues to entertain theater audiences throughout America, Europe and Russia. His plays include 37 Postcards, Suite Surrender, Charlie Cox Runs with Scissors, and Stuff and Melt; they have been produced at Florida Stage (Manalapan), Marin Theatre Company (Marin County), Hudson Stage Company (New York), Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis) and Caldwell Theatre Company (Boca Raton) among many others. His comedies have played in some of the most prestigious theaters in Europe, including Komödie Dresden (Dresden), Och-Teatr (Warsaw) and Theater in der Josefstadt, Kammerspiele (Vienna). He has been honored with an NEA Residency Grant (New Theatre, Miami) and has been a 3-time finalist for Humana Fest's nationally renowned Heideman Award. He is also an award-winning actor and designer. He is a founding member of the award-winning theatre Zoetic Stage in Miami, where Clark Gable Slept Here had its world premiere performance in the spring of 2014. He resides in South Florida and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Actors' Equity.

Regarding his selection of Clark Gable Slept Here for the Phoenix Theatre, Producing Director, Bryan Fonseca, said "I have a history with the playwright, Michael McKeever. I know him to be a good writer, and this show had a great success with its world premiere in Miami. He immediately sent it to me knowing that it would suit our sensibilities and some of our actors very well. And he was right. I didn't hesitate in choosing this show."

Tickets for Clark Gable Slept Here are on sale now. The entire first weekend are CheapSeats performances. Tickets are just $20.00 per person. All remaining performances are $33.00 per person, or $20.00 for anyone 21 & under. Tickets for Clark Gable Slept Here may be purchased by calling the box office at 317.635.7529 or visiting phoenixtheatre.org. Curtain times for all Phoenix shows: Thursdays - 7 pm; Fridays and Saturdays - 8 pm; Sundays - 2 pm. Group rates are available- contact Sales Director, Ryan O'Shea, at 317.635.2381 orroshea@phoenixtheatre.org.

In celebration of the season kick-off, and as a special homage to the Hollywood elements of the play, the Phoenix is hosting a special red carpet event on Friday, September 19. The evening will include a red carpet, a Step and Repeat where patrons will have their photographs taken by photographers, and complimentary champagne all leading up to the performance. Following the performance, patrons are invited for a special reception in the Frank and Katrina Basile stage where the Phoenix will serve complimentary food courtesy of Black Plate Catering and beer courtesy of Sun King Brewing.

ABOUT THE PHOENIX THEATRE - The Phoenix Theatre is Indiana's only professional contemporary theatre, and has presented productions to challenge and entertain the Indianapolis community for over 31 years. An Equity house, the Phoenix presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many popular Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented more than 91 world premieres. The Phoenix operates the 130-seat proscenium Livia and Steve Russell Theatre as well as the 75-seat cabaret-style black box Frank and Katrina Basile Stage. The Phoenix Theatre serves beer, wine, coffee, soft drinks, water, and treats. Patrons may take all refreshments into either theatre. Both venues are housed along with administrative offices in a renovated 1907 church in downtown Indianapolis' historic Chatham Arch neighborhood, part of the Mass Ave Arts and Theatre District. The Phoenix Theatre is a member of the National New Play Network and the League of Indianapolis Theatres, and is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local corporate and foundation funders and more than 400 individual donors.

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