City Theatre to Present Molly Smith Metzler's ELEMENO PEA, 2/28-3/22

City Theatre continues its 40th anniversary season with a witty "have and have-nots" comedy. Elemeno Pea, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, will run on the Mainstage February 28 - March 22, 2015.

Blue-collar Buffalo, New York meets beachfront splendor when Devon visits the sprawling Martha's Vineyard estate where her sister Simone is employed as a personal assistant. Simone's new gig is complete with a six-figure salary, a preppy boyfriend with a yacht, and a handsome clothing allowance-all courtesy of trophy wife Michaela, her boss. But when Michaela crashes the sisters' weekend, Devon learns the price for the pampered life.

"I selected Elemeno Pea for this season because it's so relatable," says Tracy Brigden. "Molly's writing is sharply funny one second, then incredibly human in the next. The play brings to life the 'ninety-nine versus one percent' conversation that is happening all around us."

In addition to Elemeno Pea (South Coast Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville/Humana Festival), Molly Smith Metzler is the author of Close Up Space (Manhattan Theatre Club, Susan Smith Blackburn finalist), Carve (Tristan Bates Theatre-London), Training Wisteria (Cherry Lane Mentor Project, The Kennedy Center KCACTF) and her newest play, The May Queen (Chautauqua Theatre Company). Molly is currently under commission at South Coast Rep, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, and Manhattan Theatre Club.

Elemeno Pea features Ariel Woodiwiss, Anthony Comis, and Tony Chiroldes, each making their City Theatre debuts. Also featured are Pittsburgh actors Kimberly Parker Green, who appeared in last season's MOMENTUM festival at City Theatre, and Robin Abramson, who most recently was seen in Tribes and Hope and Gravity at City.

The creative team includes Tony Ferrieri (scenic design), Robert C.T. Steele (costume design), Andrew David Ostrowski (lighting design), and Ryan McMasters (sound design).

Audiences under 30 may reserve $15 tickets in advance for all performances except Fridays 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 5:30 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, rush tickets are available two hours prior to show time and based on availability. A limited number of Pay-What-You-Want tickets will be available one hour before the performance. Please call the box office in advance to check on availability. Mention "Pay-What-You-Want" pricing when purchasing. Seniors age 62 and older may purchase $22 rush tickets at the Box Office beginning two hours before show time. Based on availability. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts. Call Kari Shaffer at 412.431.4400 x286.

City Theatre is now in its 40th anniversary season. Located on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in new plays, commissioning and producing work by playwrights including Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell McCraney, and Madeleine George. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director James McNeel, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. CityTheatreCompany.org

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