Diversionary Theatre's BOYS & GIRLS Opens Tomorrow

Diversionary Theatre's production of "Boys and Girls" written by Tom Donaghy opens on March 1st, 2014. Shana Wride Directs.

Two couples in their early thirties, one lesbian and one gay, who have a complicated history of love and loss, struggle to overcome overwhelming obstacles in order to grow up, settle down, and raise a child. But not necessarily in that order.

Come out to meet Bev, Shelly, Reed and Jason- two couples who are attempting to put away their wild pasts in order to tackle the challenges of adulthood. Bev and Shelly, a lesbian couple with multifarious levels to their long-term relationship, have come to the conclusion that their 5-year old son is in need of a father figure. Their best friend Reed quickly becomes the best choice for role model in this alternative arrangement, and he must decide whether he'd like to take on this responsibility, or continue an unhealthy entanglement with his emotionally wrought ex-boyfriend Jason.

Previews began February 20th. The production is scheduled to run through March 23rd. Tickets are available now at www.diversionary.org, by calling 619-220-0097 or by visiting 4545 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92116. Single ticket prices range from $25-39 (Prices are subject to change). Group rates are available!

Photo by Ken Jacques

FAEREN ADAMS (Shelly) is a San Diego native. She is so happy to return to Diversionary for this production. Favorite previous roles: a maniacal sock puppet in Learn to be Latina (Diversionary), a bunny-obsessed crazy neighbor (SDSU student film), and an intolerant stage manager (Vista's Broadway Theater). Diversionary: Learn to be Latina, When Last We Flew. Coronado Playhouse: The Man Who Came to Dinner, A Roman Holiday, If the Shoe Fits. Playwrights Project: Performing Artist.

CHRISSY BURNS (Bev) is thrilled to be back at Diversionary! She was last seen on this stage as the saran wrap girl, Casey, in The Break Up Notebook. Chrissy has worked as an actor in dozens of theatrical productions at venues throughout the US including Moxie,Fritz, Starlight, CCT, SRT, PCPA Theaterfest, and many more. Most recently she was seen in the long running 80's hit MiXtape with Lambs Players Theater. Her favorite roles include Queenie in The Wild Party, Sheila in Hair & Anytime Annie in 42nd Street. She is also a multi award winning Director with productions including Chicago, Ruthless! The Musical, 42nd Street, Sweet Charity & Nunsense. She is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing arts. Chrissy also works as a Singing Telegram Specialist and Marilyn Monroe Entertainer. Including performances for San Diego's top corporations and MTV Japan. As the Producer/Emcee of the Caburlesque Kittens (CaburlesqueKittens.com) she appears in live cabaret shows as "Ophelia Kitty" at San Diego's premiere venues and events. Chrissy has a passion for teaching and loves to help her students reach their full potential (SingwithChrissy.com). Chrissy would like to thank Jessica for the "poetry of our life".

MELANIE CHEN (Sound Design) is currently pursuing her MFA degree for sound design at the University of California, San Diego and will be graduating in March 2014. She has experience recording and mastering voiceovers, working with body microphones, mixing musics, and creating sound designs for live theatre and dance productions. UCSD credits: Drums in the Night, Casagemas (New Play Festival '12), Tonight We Improvise, In the Red and Brown Water, Hookman (New Play Festival '11). Select San Diego regional theatre: Crumbs on the Table of Joy (Moxie Theatre), Bug (ion theatre company),Becoming Cuba (North Coast Repertory Theatre), Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (ion theatre company), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (New Village Arts), Blasted (ion theatre company - Craig Noel Nomination '12),Angels in America Part 1 & 2 (ion theatre company - Craig Noel Award '11). Recently, she assisted Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominated sound designer Cricket Myers and award-winning composer Michael Roth on La Jolla Playhouse's production of Sideways, written by Oscar winner Rex Pickett and directed by Tony Award winner Des McAnuff.

ANTHONY METHVIN (Reed) made his local acting debut with Diversionary Theater as Kent in Harmony, Kansas. Other favorite roles include Leo Frank (Parade), Prior (Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika), Sparky (Forever Plaid), Peter (Company), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Dionysus (The Bacchae), Matamore (The Illusion), and Man (Laughing Wild). A staged reading of his playwriting debut, Bleed Like Me, will be seen right here at Diversionary as part of their Open Mondays series in March 2014, and was given a developmental reading at Florida State University, where he graduated with a BFA in Acting.

LUKE OLSON (Lighting Design). Previously at Diversionary: Marry Me A Little, Sherantulas From Outer Space; The Divine Sister; Scrooge In Rouge; when last we flew; Pippin; Hot Guys Dancing; Dance/Theatre. Other credits: The Fox On The Fairway; Stones in His Pockets (Summer Repertory Theatre). References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Bluest Eye, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, A Raisin In The Sun (MOXIE Theatre); Crimes Of The Heart; Little Shop of Horrors (PLNU). Blood Wedding; The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Mira Costa College). He has a MFA from San Diego State University.

ANDREW OSWALD (Jason) - is excited to be returning to the Diversionary where he appeared last season as George Tessman in The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler. Most recently he portrayed Harry in Cygnet Theatre's Company. New York; (World Premieres) John Thorpe in Distilled Spirits' OOBR Award winning production: Northanger Abbey, Dahling!: All of Tallulah Bankhead's Male Lovers, and the U.S. premiere of Bad Evidence as Richard. Edgar: King Lear, Lucifer/The Pope: Doctor Faustus, Horatio: Hamlet, Mihai: Mad Forest and Co-Artistic Director of Bedtime Sketch Comedy. Regionally; Von Trapp: The Sound of Music, Orsino: Twelfth Night, El Gallo: The Fantasticks, Bottom: A Midsummer Night's Dream.

SHANA WRIDE (Director) was most recently seen at Diversionary in The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler. She has worked both locally and regionally as an actor and director for Cygnet Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Compass Theatre, Open Fist Theatre North Coast Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Sledgehammer Theatre, Shakespeare Festival Los Angeles, Colony Theatre, Open Fist Theatre, Gaslamp Theatre, and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. While living in Los Angeles, she co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, "Women Aloud" with actor/comedienne Mo Gaffney.

BRET YOUNG (Producing Director) began applying his creative energies to Diversionary in 2000 with The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. While at Diversionary Bret has worked across many disciplines of the craft and is thrilled to have been living the dream while working with an amazing array of artists, craftspeople and luminaries of the San Diego Theatre community. Previous credits include work on and off stage at Mystery Café/Julia Holladay Productions, Sledgehammer Theatre, The Fritz Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Utah Musical Theatre and Ballet West.

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