Dysfunctional Family Comedy TABLE MANNERS Begins Today at Little Fish Theatre

Little Fish Theatre presents TABLE MANNERS by Alan Ayckbourn as the fourth production in their eleven-show line-up for 2016, beginning tonight. Written by the Olivier Award winning playwright and director, TABLE MANNERS was the recipient of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play as part of the trilogy The Norman Conquests.

Annie's poorly conceived illicit weekend with her brother-in-law Norman is put on hold when all her siblings and their spouses show up and the pending affair is brought to light. But for assistant librarian Norman, who desperately needs to be needed, there are farcical consequences to the cancelled trip.

TABLE MANNERS showcases the talents of several LFT Company Members: Groundlings graduate Don Schlossman*, last seen in LFT's well reviewed Domestic Tranquility, plays the put upon Norman. StageSceneLA award winner (LFT'sDeathtrap) David Graham, who is co-directing with LFT Artistic Associate Stephanie Coltrin, plays the "jolly good" Reg. StageSceneLA award winner (LFT's Panache) Holly Baker-Kreiswirth plays his control freak wife Sarah. Norman's successful and vain wife Ruth is played frequent Shakespeare by the Sea and LFT actress Kimberly Patterson. Rounding out the Company Members is Actor/Comic Joel Bryant* as Annie's shy neighbor Tom. Known for several TV roles and web series, he's also one half of the successful variety act "Deven and Joel." TABLE MANNERS marks Joel's first show at LFT. Annie, who hopes to break out of her old maid mold, is played by LFT newcomer Maire-Rose Pike*.

"TABLE MANNERS is a witty and well-written take on what happens when politeness goes out the door and all you're left with is a hilarious weekend with people who don't really like each other," states co-director Stephanie Coltrin, whose recent shows at LFT include Taking Sides and Bach at Leipzig. Graham adds "I'm looking forward to mining this rich material both as actor and as co-director. What a terrific opportunity!" Graham wrote the original full-length play And the Stones Will Cry Out which was produced by LFT in their 2015 season.

TABLE MANNERS will run Fridays and Saturdays, beginning today, April 22, through May 21 at 8pm. One Saturday matinee is scheduled for 2pmon May 14, where the creative team will be available for 10 to 15 minutes for a post-show discussion with the audience.

Founded in 2002, Little Fish Theatre presents classic and contemporary plays in an intimate setting on Centre Street in downtown San Pedro. Producing eleven plays each year in a one-room 65-seat venue, Little Fish delivers the quintessential close-up theatrical experience, where audience and performers share space and sight-lines, making for eruptive laughter, highly-charged action and palpable emotion.

*This production is presented under the auspices of the Actors' Equity Los Angeles Membership Company Rule.

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