THE BOOK OF MATTHEW Opens Tomorrow at Spreckels Performing Arts Center

"The Book of Matthew" on stage March 21 to April 13, 2014 at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park, CA. Spreckels Theatre Company in Rohnert Park, Calif. presents "The Book of Matthew," a comedy about the seriousness of life, written and directed by Gene Abravaya.

Matthew Leibowitz, a 40-year old wisecracking, hapless unpublished novelist holds fast to his dreams despite unrelenting disapproval from his wife and extended family.

Facing divorce, misunderstood by his practical brother and sister-in-law and in denial about his recently widowed father - Matthew's disheveled life (and New York apartment) could use some resemblance of order. Things take a turn when Matthew and his flamboyant, eavesdropping neighbor care for Matthew's elderly, uncommunicative father. The cast features Jeff Cote as Matthew Leibowitz, Tim Setzer as upstairs neighbor, Vincent Alcedo and Norman A. Hall as Matthew's father, Robert Leibowitz. LC Arisman is cast as Maggie Leibowitz and Madeleine McGuire Ashe plays the role of Karen Leibowitz. Actor of stage, television and film, Jeffrey Weissman, co-stars as Matthew's brother, Robert Leibowitz. Benjamin Privitt is understudying the role of Robert Leibowitz.

"Since first being produced in 2009, 'The Book of Matthew' has undergone numerous changes. It is now more streamlined, faster paced and thought-provoking. I wanted to have the chance to have it seen and experienced with these changes," said playwright and director Gene Abravaya, who also serves as the Artistic Director of the Spreckels Theatre Company. "The story is timeless because it's about the struggle that takes place in all of us over being practical or living our dreams."

Photo by Eric Chazankin