Martha Byrne-Led IN THE CAR WITH BLOSSOM AND LEN Starts Tonight at Queens Theatre

Queens Theatre presents the award winning play In the Car with Blossom and Len written by Joni Fritz and directed by Tony Award nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Broadway's SWING!) at the Queens Theatre's Shulman Theatre located at 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Performances will begin tonight, November 11, and run through November 20, 2016. Tickets from $25 (free parking and free shuttle bus from Mets - Willets Point subway stop) and can be purchased by visiting QueensTheatre.org or by calling 718.760.0064.

Throughout their childhood, Holly and Fern's parents were wildly unpredictable, endearingly neurotic, and blatantly dysfunctional. Now, in their eighties, they are facing the biggest crises of their lives, and it's up to Holly and Fern to lend a hand. In the Car with Blossom and Len is a smart, biting and poignant comedy about growing up and growing old - not necessarily in that order.

"Joni Fritz's In the Car with Blossom and Len is a wonderfully told, relatable story about a family facing some transitions. Our audiences have always connected to plays that focus on family relationships and I know they'll love this one. We are thrilled to have such a talented group of women lead this production, the level of talent that we have 'In The Car" is incredible. I couldn't be happier that Queens Theatre is producing this show." - Queens Theatre, Executive Director Taryn Sacramone

The talented cast includes two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne (TV: "As The World Turns"), Emily Jon Mitchell (Regional The Tale of the Allergist's Wife), Peter Levine (World Premiere: In the Car with Blossom and Len) and Patricia Randell (HBO's Too Big to Fail). Creative team includes: Bob Phillips, Anna Grigo (Set Design), Jason Kantrowitz (Lighting Design), Dustin Cross (Costume Design), John Salutz (Sound Design). Katie White (Properties Design), Susan Whelan (Production Stage Manager), Stephen DeAngelis (Casting), Heather Shields (Associate Producer).

In the Car With Blossom and Len is the recipient of the Susan Gaspard Award and received its world premiere at Centenary Stages in 2015 where it was called a "very entertaining, involving and affecting play" Talkin' Broadway.

IF YOU GO:

In the Car with Blossom and Len

by Joni Fritz and directed by Tony Award nominee Lynne Taylor- Corbett

November 11- 20, 2016

Playing schedule: Friday Nov 11, at 8pm; Saturday, Nov 12, at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, Nov 13 at 3pm.

Thursday, Nov 17 at 2pm; Saturday, Nov 19 at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, Nov 20 at 3pm

Queens Theatre is located 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Tickets from $25 and can be purchased by visiting QueensTheatre.org or by calling 718.760.0064

Free Parking and Free shuttle bus from Mets - Willets Point subway stop

For directions, visit QueensTheatre.org/content/about-us

For more information, go to QueensTheatre.org

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Joni Fritz (Playwright) has a wide and varied background as both a writer and an actress. Joni's acting career included appearances on the New York stage, regional theatre, television, films and countless television and radio commercials. Her segue into a writing career began as a comedy sketch writer for USA Networks' "Commander USA"-for which she was a writer and performer for four years, as well as the syndicated show "Horrible Night at the Movies." As a playwright, her work has been seen in several theaters in the New York area including Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Women's Theatre Company, What Exit Theatre and Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre. Her play Girl's Room, starring Broadway legends Carol Lawrence and Donna McKechnie, and directed by Tony-nominated director, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, enjoyed successful runs in both New York and Los Angeles. Joni's play First A Home, created to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless, was recently performed as part of the New York Society for Ethical Culture's Ethics and the Theater series. Joni has also created well over four hundred live theatrical pieces, films and documentaries for such companies as Arista Records, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer and IBM, among dozens of other Fortune 500 companies. Her writing, which encompasses a wide spectrum of styles and genres, also includes the anniversary film for one of the first and oldest AIDS initiatives in Africa, Secure the Future, as well as award-winning films and documentaries for such non-profits as the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. For the past several years, Joni has been on the consulting board for the Westchester Ballet Company. She is a member of Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild.

Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Director) received Tony Nominations for best director and best choreographer of Broadway's Swing!. She received Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations for both Wanda's World and My Vaudeville Man Off Broadway. Her adaptation of The Lion King is in its seventh year at Disney's park in Hong Kong and her production of Cougar the Musical had a successful run Off Broadway and is now playing internationally.. Ms. Taylor-Corbett has choreographed works for American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, among others. Her works have been featured on "Live from Lincoln Center" and National Public Television. Feature films include "Footloose", "My Blue Heaven" and "Bewitched". In 2011, she created a production of Kurt Weill's Seven Deadly Sins for New York City Ballet, with Patti LuPone in the Lotte Lenya role. It was named as one of the most important dance events of the year. She is currently in development of Distant Thunder, a musical set on the Blackfeet Rez in contemporary times. Co-written with Native American son, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, it is currently being developed by Amas Musical Theatre in New York. She is also helping to develop Queen Mother, a new show based on the life of Hannah Hill, Charlie Chaplin's mother, under the auspices of Goodspeed Opera. Ms. Taylor-Corbett, a proud member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers, co-wrote and directed Good Housekeeping's benefit for the National Women's History Museum, featuring Meryl Streep. She is on the board of Rosie's Broadway Kids and has served as a consultant for the Hunger Project.

Queens Theatre is the premier performing arts venue in Queens, located at the New York State Pavilion in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Queens Theatre presents over 300 performances and community events annually, including theatre, dance, family, new play development and education programming. For its 2016/2017 Season, Queens Theatre is home to two resident companies: Titan Theatre Company and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Queens Theatre is a member of New York City's Cultural Institutions Group and, with support from the New York City Council, is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Season sponsors include Bank of America, Con Edison, and Delta Air Lines. Additional support is provided by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Pictured: Emily Mitchell, Martha Byrne, Patricia Randell and Peter Levine. Photo by Dominick Totino.?

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