Katselas Theatre Co Presents ENGAGEMENT, Closes 8/22

The Katselas Theatre Company continues it landmark 2010 Season with the World Premiere of "Engagement," written and directed by Allen Barton. An audacious dramatic comedy about relationships in the age of social media, the production premieres Saturday, July 24 at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Gary Grossman is producing.

Covering two intense years in the off-center romantic entanglement of Mark, a sharp-witted political conservative, and Nicole - apolitical, tolerant and artistic, this world premiere stagework takes aim at a contemporary social fabric frayed by technology's relentless attack on the fragile connection between people. The production stars Vanessa Celso, David Crane, Jim Dowd, Christopher Hoffman, Audrey Moore, Jeremy Radin, Ellie Schwartz, Retta Sirleaf, Brynn Thayer, Everette Wallin.

Allen Barton is a frequent director for the Katselas Theatre Company, the non-profit theatre company of the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Most recently he helmed the KTC's inaugural 2009 production of The Real Thing. Other directorial credits include: Rabbit Hole (2008) at the Skylight Theatre, Baja Fresh (2008), The Last Five Years (2007), Burn This (Guerrilla Rep, 2006), I Make You Laughing (2005), Pink Dot (2005), and About Faith (2000). As a writer, he has written several one-act plays, including Pearls Before Swine, The Engagement, and Baja Fresh, the latter two of which formed the early seeds of Engagement. Barton is also active as a classical pianist. He performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue at the 25th Annual S.T.A.G.E. fundraiser at the Wilshire Theatre and was a prizewinner in the 2002 Los Angeles Liszt Society Competition.

The production credits include: Jeff McLaughlin, Set and Light Design; Bob Blackburn,
Sound Designer; Dean Kreyling, Production Stage Manager; Adam Rotenberg, Associate Producer;
Art Cohan, Co-Producer.

Engagement Previews are July 16, 17, 18, 23. Opening Weekend is s Saturday, July 24 at 8pm and Sunday, July 25 at 7pm. Performances continue Fri, Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7pm, until August 22. The Beverly Hills Playhouse is located 254 S. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Ticket Prices are as follows: General - $25; Students & Seniors - $15. For reservations, call: (310) 358-9936. For Katselas Theatre Company General Information: www.katselastheatre.org.