Photo Flash: Midlife Marriage Crises Play Out in MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY

Kite and Key Productions is thrilled to present the world premiere of MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY written by Steve Shaffer & Mark Schiff and directed by Rick Shaw. MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY will begin previews on Thursday, February 23 at 8pm; will open on Friday, March 3 at 8pm and run through Sunday, April 2 at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.

MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY examines the lives of four long-time friends who seem to be having a simultaneous (and often hysterical) mid-life marriage crisis. Group therapy brings out the secrets of two couples: Sex or lack thereof, gay children and religion are all topics of discussion. MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY also puts the institution of marriage and the challenge of parenthood under a microscope, revealing the truth about how we are all navigating the rough waters of twenty-first century relationships. Friendships are tested and long held beliefs are upended. The world is changing but love, relationships, acceptance and most of all humor are a constant in this funny, touching and poignant world premiere play.

Rick Shaw (Director) His career includes performing, writing, producing and directing comedy for TV, theater, radio, nightclubs, live events and national magazines, including six seasons as Producer on CBS' "The Nanny." He has won and/or been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a Crystal Award, an Ovation Award, and an Emmy. He owns "Shaw & Sons Comedy Co.," a Los Angeles-based Production Company, as well as the Secret Rose Theater in North Hollywood, CA. Rick produced and directed the long-running international hit comedy stage play It's Just Sex, currently running in Brazil, and in pre-production as a feature film with Panetlion Films for which he wrote the screenplay. He was named Valley Theater Awards' Best Director 2014 for a previous production of It's Just Sex.

STEVE SHAFFER (Playwright) He wrote on the Ace award-winning Showtime series, "Full Frontal Comedy." He is a standup comedian with multiple television appearances and an actor who has appeared In film, television series and commercials. Steve Shaffer began his comedy career in New York City and almost immediately started performing on national television. His earlier appearances include, "The Tonight Show," "The Merv Griffin Show," "The CBS Morning Show," "MTV's New Years Eve Special," "The Montreal Comedy Festival," "The "A" List" on Comedy Central and many others. Steve's proudest achievements are when he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and later touring with George Carlin. Mr. Shaffer continued to perform on network television as a comedian and also as an actor with his recurring role on "Murphy Brown." Steve has many national commercials to his credit. He was the Jeopardy Coach and the face of that campaign for two years. He continues to perform in Comedy Clubs, casinos, cruise ships, and corporate events around the country.

MARK SCHIFF (Playwright) He is a stand-up comedian whom Jerry Seinfeld called "One of the funniest, the brightest, the best stage comics I have ever seen." He has headlined at all the major casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, as well as clubs across the country and has appeared many times on both "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." Mark has had both HBO and Showtime specials, and has been the featured act at the Montreal Comedy Festival. He has also written for and guest starred on "Mad About You," and served as a writer on "Roseanne." Mark is currently on tour with Jerry Seinfeld. Mark's first play. The Comic, ran in Los Angeles for 10 months and also played at The Aspen Comedy Festival where HBO optioned it for a movie.

MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY will feature (in alphabetical order): Michelle Bernard, Kylie Delre. Andy Lauer and Paul Parducci.

MARRIED PEOPLE: A COMEDY will preview on Thursday, February 23; Friday, February 24 at 8pm and Saturday, February 25 at 8:30pm and will open on Friday, March 3 at 8pm and run through Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.

Performances are Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 8:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices are $35; Previews are $10.00. Special group rates available for parties of 8 or more. For tickets, please call 323-451-2813 or visit http://marriedpeople.bpt.me to purchase tickets online or to view complete schedule.

Photo Credit: Sascha Knopf / Knopfoto

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