HARRY'S FRIENDLY SERVICE Premieres At Pittsburgh Public Theatre 5/28-6/28

Pittsburgh Public Theater's season grand finale is the world premiere of Harry's Friendly Service by Rob Zellers, well known to The Public's audiences as co-author of the long-running hit play The Chief. Harry's Friendly Service was a recent recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award. Directed by Ted Pappas, this funny and heartfelt new play runs May 28 - June 28, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. Tickets are available at 412.316.1600 or www.ppt.org.

Harry's Friendly Service is set in 1977 Youngstown, Ohio where the steelworkers are on strike, the city wants to tear down the shabby gas station owned by Harry (Edward James Hyland), and a mobster is out to get him. But the players in Harry's daily pinochle games are spirited. There's Tina (Brooks Almy), the ticket-taker at the burlesque theater next door; Skiddie (Larry John Meyers), a small-time bookie; and John (Joel Ripka), a brand-new lawyer. Into this lively mix comes Emily (Tressa Glover), Harry's long-lost daughter, straight from the convent. A new relationship might develop between the two if mob boss Carmine Naples (Alex Coleman) can just keep his brother Sammy (Daryll Heysham) from killing Harry.

The design team for Harry's Friendly Service is: James Noone (Scenic), Martha Louise Bromelmeier (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager; Adrienne Wells is the Assistant Stage Manager.

With Gene Collier, Rob Zellers is co-author of The Public's phenomenal hit, The Chief. A one-man play about Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr., The Chief debuted at Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2003 and broke all box office records. It has been produced at the theater every year since.

May 28 - June 28, 2009

Performance Schedule
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm (except Tues., June 23 when the show is at 7 pm). Sundays at 2 and 7 pm (except Sun., June 28 when the only show is at 2 pm). Additional 2 pm matinees on Sat., June 13; Sat., June 20; Thurs., June 25; and Sat., June 27. Visit www.ppt.org for pre- and post-show special events.

Press Night is Thursday, June 4

Opening Night is Friday, June 5

Ticket Prices
$31 to $50. Students and age 26 and younger: $15.
For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit www.ppt.org