2 SUGARS, ROOM FOR CREAM Set for Park Square's Andy Boss Thrust Stage in January

No matter how bad things get, there's always coffee. Sometimes there's even wine. And when there's both, well that's a good day. 2 Sugars, Room for Cream is a series of scenes and original music loosely tied together by coffee created and performed by the 2013 Ivey Award winning duo of Shanan Custer and Carolyn Pool. In their own words, the show is about "Scenes from life. Stuff we think is funny."

2 Sugars, Room for Cream started out as a hit show at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2009, selling out every performance and winning the Encore spot for its venue. In 2010, Carolyn and Shanan were invited by Illusion Theater to workshop their show for the Fresh Ink series which is dedicated to developing high-quality new work. The show premiered at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theater in 2012 and earned the creators an Ivey Award for Ensemble Acting in 2013. Now, this perennial audience favorite is coming to the new Andy Boss Thrust Stage at Park Square Theatre. 2 Sugars, Room for Cream has been called "well-crafted, sweet, sassy, and totally delicious!" and Twin Cities Daily Planet called 2 Sugars, Room for Cream "smart entertainment for everyone...the best kind of comedy - it's funny, it's smart, it's moving, it's just a heck of a lot of fun."

Carolyn Pool Is a Twin Cities-based actor whose work has been seen all over the United States. Recent stage work includes: Almost, Maine (Hope, Glory) at the Old Log Theatre; Bill W. and Dr. Bob (Lois Wilson), Autistic License (Mom), and Three Viewings (Mac) at the Illusion Theater; Of Mice and Men (Curley's Wife), August-Osage County (Ivy) and Dead Man's Cell Phone (Jean) at Park Square Theatre. In 2008 Carolyn played Vivien Leigh in Orson's Shadow at Gremlin Theatre (Ivey Award Winner for Outstanding Ensemble). Carolyn can also be seen in the films Prince Breakup (winner Best Actress 2011 Z-Fest) and Rotations of the Earth (winner Best Actress 2011 SoCal Film Festival).

Shanan Custer is a veteran of the Brave New Workshop (where she performed from the reign of Jesse Ventura to the Bush and Kerry election). A writer, actor, director, teacher as well as improviser, Shanan's other original work includes: Mick Sterling Presents: At Christmas and Pride and Plot of Pointlessness (with Jim Robinson), Mary Loves Joseph: A Wonderful Love Story, and From Here to Maternity (with Joshua Scrimshaw). Other credits include: The Mystery Café (MRDR She Tweeted), Theater Pro Rata (Emilie: La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight), Joking Envelope (Nightmare Without Pants), Hennepin Theater Trust with Frank Theater (Standing on Ceremony: the Gay Marriage Plays), Mu Performing Arts (Four Destinies), the History Theater (Dudley: Rigged for Laughter) and Park Square Theatre (Dead Man's Cell Phone). Shanan recently directed Love, Loss and What I Wore and The Underpants at Theater in the Round. Upcoming: directing God of Carnage at Bloomington Civic Theater (May 2015).

Performance Schedule: Two preview performances will be held on Friday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 3 at 2 p.m. (bargain preview at $0.99) January 3 is Opening Night, and the regular run continues through January 18. A student matinee will be performed on Tuesday, January 13. Show times are 7:30 p.m.; Saturday performances are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in the company's intimate 203-seat Andy Boss Thrust Stage in Saint Paul's historic Hamm Building, 408 St. Peter St.

Ticket prices: Previews: $25 and $35. Regular Run: $38 and $58. A $2 facility fee will be added to each ticket to help maintain Park Square's two stages. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.

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