'King O' The Moon' - All American Comedy Opens At Florida Rep

All-American Comedy Opens at Florida Rep

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of King O' the Moon, a heartfelt and touching comedy that reminds us what being a family is all about.

Playing Apr. 8 to 24 with previews Apr. 5, 6 and 7, King O' the Moon, part of a trilogy, is the sequel to the 2001 Florida Rep hit, Over the Tavern, and revisits the Pazinski family ten years later, in 1969.

"This is the perfect play to follow August: Osage County, where the family was totally dysfunctional and devoid of love. In King O' the Moon the family is also dysfunctional, but they love each other and want one another to be happy," said Producing Artistic Director and the play's director, Robert Cacioppo. "This is a really heartwarming play about a family in transition, and though it is a sequel, it definitely stands on its own."

In King O' the Moon, we find the Pazinski Family in the middle of the turbulent 1960s, and as Apollo 11 orbits the moon, ready to make one giant leap for mankind, the Pazinskis each take one small step as they hurtle hilariously into the next decade.

The play is set in an urban Buffalo backyard, and each member of this very Catholic and very Polish family is trying to find their way in a changing world. Rudy, who in Over the Tavern wanted to give up Catholicism, is studying to be a priest; his brother, Eddie, has a new wife, a baby on the way and is about to ship off to Vietnam; their sister, Annie, is struggling with a rocky marriage; and their mother, now a widow, is secretly being courted by the tavern's bartender, Walter. King O' the Moon is a nostalgic play that was called "a slice of Americana," by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and "an all-American comedy" by the Chicago Sun Times.

The play features a cast of very familiar faces at Florida Rep, including Carrie Lund and Mark Chambers, both of whom appeared in August:Osage County. Lund, a founding member of Florida Rep was also seen in this season's Noises Off and Gaslight, while Chambers' most recent appearance was in season 12's hit, Boeing-Boeing.

Also in the cast are, Jason Parrish, Adam Jones, Jacob Womack and Claire K. Guy as the Pazinski children, as well as Rachel Lomax as the newest Mrs. Pazinski. Now professional artists, each is a graduate of Florida Rep's internship program, and they represent the past five consecutive intern classes: Parrish, '05-'06; Womack, '06-'07; Lomax, '07-'08; Guy, '08-'09; and Jones, '09-'10.

Parrish, Florida Rep's Associate Director, was seen most recently in Santaland Diaries and Noises Off, while Jones, also on staff at the Rep was seen recently in last season's You Can't Take It With You and in The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee at Sanibel's Strauss Theatre. Ms. Guy makes her stage debut with Florida Rep in King O' the Moon and serves as Education Associate. Womack returns after his '07 appearances in The Rainmaker and Scapino, and Lomax was seen earlier this season in Noises Off, as well as Boeing-Boeing and A Funny...Forum.

Florida Rep Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo (August: Osage County, Over the Tavern, among others), directs the production and is joined by an expert team of designers including set designer Robert F. Wolin (Dial 'M' for Murder), costume designer Roberta Malcolm (August: Osage County), and lighting and sound designer Kate Smith (The Santaland Diaries). Janine Wochna (The Lady with All the Answers) serves as Production Stage Manager.

King O' the Moon by Tom Dudzick plays at Florida Rep Apr. 8-24, with previews on Apr. 5 at 8pm, Apr. 6 at 2pm and Apr. 7 at 8pm. Regular performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays at 2pm with a 7pm twilight performance on Sun. Apr. 10.

King O' the Moon is sponsored by Madeleine Taeni and WGCU Public Media.

Single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 or online at www.floridarep.org.  Single tickets are priced at $44/$39 and $25/$20 for discounted previews. Subscriptions to Season 14 (2011-2012) are also now on sale.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with free parking in the Fort Myers River District.

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