Photo Flash: The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol presents FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE

In December, The Studio Theatre™ Tierra del Sol (806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL) will open the second production of its second season with four-time Tony Award Winner, Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.

Frankie and Johnny is the story of Frankie, a waitress, and Johnny, a short-order cook, who work together in the same restaurant. Lights up on Frankie and Johnny in the bed of a grimy 1987 New York studio apartment. Frankie is hopeful that Johnny will now put on his clothes and depart, but Johnny, the romantic, has other ideas. Through sometimes touching and sometimes hilarious banter shared over sandwiches and a song, the promise of a relationship beyond a "one-night stand" begins to emerge for these two lonely hearts.

Playing the lead role of Frankie is The Studio Theatre's Artistic Director Whitney Morse. Last season, Morse starred in Next to Normal as Diana Goodman, of which, patron J. Scott Berry praised Morse's performance, "Whitney Morse is absolutely amazing as Diana." Libby Champion of BroadwayWorld called Morse's portrayal of Cathy in The Last Five Years at The Studio "absolutely amazing." Whitney closed out season one playing Claire in Proof. Over the summer, she wowed sold-out crowds at The Studio Theatre in Songs for a New World. Debra Brown Krase acclaimed, "I am overwhelmed by Whitney Morse's talent and the great talent she has brought to The Villages." Morse can be seen performing all over Central Florida, most recently in Orlando at Mad Cow Theatre, as well as in Chicago. Angela Allyn for Chicago Stage Standard hailed, "Whitney Morsegives a tour de force performance," as Diana in Next to Normal.

Portraying the other principle character, Johnny, is Joe Llorens. "Llorens is truly gifted in comedy and drama," praised Libby Champion of BroadwayWorld for his role in The Garden Theatre's production of Destiny of Desire. Llorens holds a BFA in Acting from Florida International University. He also studied improvisational comedy at SAK Comedy Lab. He most recently was seen in Mad Cow Theatre's production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile, followed by Destiny of Desire at The Garden Theatre. Currently residing in Winter Garden, Florida, Llorens has been in the industry for over 18 years, and plans to put together a show for Orlando Fringe at the conclusion of Frankie and Johnny. This is Lloren's first time performing at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. He is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association.

The Understudy for Frankie will be Orlando based-actress, Sarah Lockard, who recently worked with Morse in Mad Cow Theatre's all-female production of 1776, and she also worked with Llorens in Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Kissimmee actor, Timmy Walczak who was recently seen in Victory Productions' Moonlight and Magnolias will understudy the role of Johnny.

The Theatre Management and Creative Teams are composed of Artistic Director Whitney Morse, Producer Jason Goedken, Director Bobbie Bell, Set Designer Kenneth Constant, Lighting Designer Weston Corey, Assistant Lighting Designer Sarah McNamee, Costume Designer Meghan Kennedy, Technical Director Preston Speaker, Production Manager Danielle Paccione, Stage Manager Abigale Bobb, and Production Assistant/ Assistant Stage Manager Amber Sacks, as well as House Manager Grace Petty and Assistant House Manager Josh Kimball.

The Studio Theatre's Mission is to inspire the residents of Central Florida to examine relevant issues by elevating them through innovative and intimate storytelling. Think outside the box, inside the box.

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