Amy Van Nostrand And Maureen Silliman Star In World Premiere Of MISS KELLER HAS NO SECOND BOOK

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional regional theatre, presents the world premiere of "Miss Keller Has No Second Book" showing Saturday, March 31 through Sunday, April 15.

Directed by Emilie Beck and written by acclaimed actress and playwright Deb Hiett, "Miss Keller Has No Second Book" was a finalist at Gulfshore Playhouse's Fourth Annual New Works Festival.

In this funny and touching play, 50 years have passed since the notoriously reclusive Agnes Keller published her first and only book. In the wake of a life-changing event, Agnes' small sanctuary is punctured by interruptions from a series of unwanted visitors. Starring Playhouse favorites Amy Van Nostrand (Agnes Keller) and Maureen Silliman (Ramona Keller), the play grapples with the inevitability of change, the tangled tethers of family, and the very big question: what does an artist owe the world?

With more than 35 years of experience in theatre, film and television, Van Nostrand is a frequent actress on the Gulfshore Playhouse stage, previously starring in "The Christians," "The Glass Menagerie," "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," and "All My Sons." She made her Broadway debut in the 1982 production of "The Hothouse" and has performed in regional theatres across the country, including The Guthrie Theater, Huntington Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and others. She's also performed at the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, where she is on the board of directors. Van Nostrand also received the Dramalogue Award for Outstanding Actress for her work in the Coast Playhouse production of "The Colorado Catechism." Film and TV credits include "The House of Mirth," "Partners in Crime," "Deceptions," "Frasier," "Wings," "Law & Order," "The Practice," and most recently, "Futurism."

Longtime Broadway veteran, Silliman's New York credits include "Shenandoah," "I Remember Mama," and "Is There Life After High School." Off-Broadway works include "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," "Marathon Dancing," "Three Postcards," and "Reckless." She also previously toured nationally in the productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," "Marigolds," and "The Gingerbread Lady." Silliman's previous work at Gulfshore Playhouse includes "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," "My Fair Lady," as well as numerous film and TV credits, including PBS's "Blue Window," "Law and Order," "Reckless," "Dixie: Changing Habits," and Pam Chandler in the daytime drama, "Guiding Light."

Actors joining Van Nostrand and Silliman in the world premiere of "Miss Keller Has No Second Book," include James Lloyd Reynolds (Darryl Wasserman) from the hit drama "Homeland," Alex Grubbs (Jackson Keller) from the acclaimed New York folk band "The Lobbyists" and Hannah Mae Sturges (Katelyn Linden) from the short film, "Into the Sand."

Raised in the deep south, Hiett moved to Los Angeles after years of living in New York City, where she performed as an actress, writer, dancer, and musician. L.A.'s Rogue Machine Theatre recently produced the world premiere of Hiett's play "The Super Variety Match Bonus Round!," which The Los Angeles Times called "ingenious." The play was recement named in the "Top Ten Best World Premiere Plays" by StageSceneLA and was a finalist for the 2017 Reva Shiner Comedy Award.

As an actress, she has appeared on numerous TV shows including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Veep," "Baskets," "Arrested Development," "American Crime," "Documentary Now!," "Parks and Recreation," and "The Office," as well as in dozens of plays and musicals.

Production staff for "Miss Keller Has No Second Book" includes Assistant Director Cory Dunn; Costume Designer Holly Poe Durbin; Lighting Designer Jimmy Lawlor; Scenic Designer David L. Arsenault.; and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci.

Evening shows begin at 8 p.m.; matinees begin at 3 p.m. Show subscriptions are available and include priority seating, exclusive events and discounted pricing. All show tickets are $30 two hours before a performance. For purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or contact 866-811-4111.

Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to enriching and strengthening the cultural fabric of our region by creating and producing professional theatre productions of a national standard that celebrates the diversity of our audiences, draws people together to discover a new understanding of oneself, and gives back in a spirit of outreach and service.

This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a cultural landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for Gulfshore Playhouse's new 56,000-square-foot complex at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square that will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse and the Next Stage Campaign for its new facility, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).

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