Neil Simon's LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR to Open 1/29 at Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently launched its first full season in its new state-of-the-Art Theatre in Warwick will present Neil Simon's Broadway hit, Laughter on the 23rd Floor from January 29 - February 16.

Chaos is king backstage at "The Max Prince Show," a popular 1950s comedy-variety TV series. The stress of slipping ratings is eating Max alive, but his harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags, while competing for the attention of the star madman. Inspired by the playwright's youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows," Neil Simon re-creates the mayhem, neuroses, nonstop gags and constant one-upmanship of a team of brilliantly funny social misfits. Contains adult language.

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome Brad Van Grack, a well-known actor/director/writer on the Washington, D.C. theatre scene, who will be making his directing debut with OSTC. Mr. Van Grack has been a long-time member of The Capitol Steps, a musical-political satire group, for which he was named by Playbill Online as Best Featured Actor in a Musical Off-Broadway. Trinity Repertory Company's FrEd Sullivan, Jr., who recently won rave reviews for his portrayal as Scrooge in Trinity Rep's holiday production of A Christmas Carol, will star as Max Prince. He will be joined by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, who will be making her Ocean State Theatre debut as the lone female writer, Carol Wyman. Local cast members include OSTC favorites Tom Andrew of Somerset, Mass, who appeared in 9 to 5 The Musical at TBTS, Mark S. Cartier of West Bridgewater, Mass, who appeared in both Miracle on 34th Street and the Inaugural Season production of Fools, Matt DaSilva of North Providence, who was seen in Miracle on 34th Street and LES MISERABLES, Jean-Pierre Ferragamo of Wickford, who has appeared in six productions with OSTC and Tommy Labanaris of Coventry, who made his OSTC debut as Marius in LES MISERABLES. Rounding out the cast are newlyweds Erin and Tyler Fish, who have appeared with OSTC in a combination of eleven productions between them.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from January 29 - February 16. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, January 30 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except February 5) through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except February 13), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except February 15) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, February 2. The new post show Piano Bar Series, will continue with "My Funny Valentine" and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances (beginning at approximately 9:45 pm) in the theatre's lobby on February 7, 8, 14 and 15.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $30 for preview performances and $34-$49 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $25 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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