New Comedy LE SWITCH Opens 6/17 at Jungle Theater

This summer, the Jungle Theater presents a witty, affectionate and timely comedy about what it means to be committed, alive and in love in the era of marriage equality. LE SWITCH, by "the richly talented Chicago writer" Philip Dawkins (Chicago Tribune), is on stage June 17-July 31 at the Lyn-Lake neighborhood theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. The Playwrights' Center Artistic Director Jeremy Cohen makes his directorial debut at the Jungle with this production.

Kasey Mahaffy, whose credits include a recurring role on television's Modern Family, stars as commitment-shy David. Nervous in the face of the nation's new "wedding fever," he retreats to his home full of unopened books and a grieving activist roommate. When his best friend's bachelor party takes him to Montreal, he's unexpectedly swept off his feet by a beautiful, young florist, played by Nathan Barlow. In the months that follow, David and his non-traditional family must decide what it really means to be committed, what it means to be married and what it means to be queer.

The show also features Patrick Bailey, Emily Gunyou Halaas and Michael Wieser, supported by the creative team of Barry Browning (lighting design), Moria Sine Clinton (costume design), Sean Healey (sound design), John Novak (properties/stage manager) and Kate Sutton-Johnson (scenic design).

Producer Doug Nevin commissioned Le Switch, and the play received early developmental support as part of the 2014 Playwrights Centers' PlayLabs, where it was one of the hits of the new plays festival. The Jungle is sharing world premiere credit for the play with About Face Theatre in Chicago, which produced the show earlier this year to critical and audience acclaim. The Chicago Tribune called Le Switch a "significant new play from one of the Chicago's theater's brightest talents, a compassionate and observant writer who has written a play of the moment that reminds us how little legislation from courts or politicians changes how we think of ourselves."

Jungle Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen said, "It's an honor to share a world premiere with About Face, where Philip is an Artistic Associate. His engaging play is told with such humor, heart and loving insight that audiences are going to have a wonderful time at the Jungle this summer."

Director Jeremy Cohen added, "I'm excited to bring this new work to the stage, which, like the other plays in my great friend Sarah Rasmussen's first season, represents a gorgeous intersection of humanity."

Preview performances on June 15 & 16 at 7:30 p.m. are $15. Rush tickets are offered every night of the week, based on availability, at 30 minutes prior to the performance, and there is special Friday night pricing for students, 55408 Neighborhood Residents and those under 30 years of age. Tickets and more information are available at (612) 822-7063 or online at www.jungletheater.com.

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