Trustus Theatre presents JEWTOPIA, Opens May 6

Jewtopia, an uproarious comedy by Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, is the longest running comedy in Off-Broadway history. When Trustus Artistic Director needed to make a show replacement in this spring, he jumped at the chance to produce this off-beat comedy that's been seen by over 800,000 people in the nation. Jewtopia opens on the Trustus Main Stage at 8pm on Friday, May 6th. The show runs through May 26th, with shows running Thursday through Sunday.

Jewtopia follows the story of two single friends, Chris O'Connell and Adam Lipschitz. Chris, a gentile, wants to marry a Jewish girl so he'll "never have to make another decision". Adam Lipschitz, a Jew, wants to marry a Jewish girl to please his family, but can't get a date to save his life. After reuniting at a Jewish singles mixer, Adam and Chris form a secret pact. Chris promises that he will help Adam find the Jewish girl of his dreams and show him "Jewtopia". However this can only happen if Adam will help Chris shed his gentile-ness, and bring him undercover into the Jewish world. Stereotypes collide, cultures clash and chaos ensues as the elements throw constant obstacles into the paths of Chris and Adam.

Jewtopia is a show that Trusus Artistic Director Jim Thigpen has wanted to produce for various seasons. "We just couldn't find the right place for it," said Thigpen. "When we needed to make a replacement in the season, I knew it was time to finally do this show. It's extremely funny." Thigpen's opinions were confirmed at the first read-through of the show, when the cast had to stop many times to regain composure from fits of laughing.
Bringing the wacky characters of Jewtopia to life on the Trustus Stage are many popular actors seen locally. Daniel Bumgardner (Our Country's Good), a current student at USC, will be playing Chris O'Connell, the gentile seeking a Jewish girl. Critically acclaimed actor Trey Hobbs (Reasons to Be Pretty) will be playing Adam Lipschitz. Trustus Company members Robin Gottlieb (Rent, Evita), Gerald Floyd (Cabaret, Our Lady of 121st Street), and Becky Hunter (The Little Dog Laughed) will be playing various comedic roles throughout the evening. Actor Bill Dewitt, familiar to Midlands theatre audiences from various venues, will be portraying Adam's father in a dinner scene where everything that can go wrong, does.

The story of the national success of Jewtopia starts with its creators, Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson. The two struggling actor/writers met in 2001 while doing stand-up
comedy in Los Angeles. In a tale straight out of the Hollywood storybooks, the two unknowns decided to write, produce and star in their own play in an attempt to get noticed. Putting it all on the line, Fogel and Wolfson stacked their credits cards to the tune of $80,000 and opened Jewtopia on May 8th, 2003 in Los Angeles. Beating the odds, the show found an instant following and by its second week was sold out months ahead of time.

That was just the beginning. After 300 straight sold out performances in Los Angeles, Fogel and Wolfson partnered with veteran Broadway producer Bill Franzblau to bring Jewtopia to New York. Opening in New York just 6 weeks after its final Los Angeles performance, the show made the transfer with a smashing success. They went on to write the popular coffee-table style book called Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People.

Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson's Jewtopia comes to the Trustus Main Stage on Friday, May 6th at 8:00pm. The show will run through May 28th, 2011. Tickets are $22.50 on Fridays and Saturdays, $17.50 for general public and $15 for military and students on Sundays, and $20 on Thursdays. Half-price student rush tickets are available fifteen minutes prior to every curtain.

Trustus Theatre is located at 520 Lady Street, behind the Gervais St. Publix. Parking is available on Lady St. and on Pulaski St. The main stage entrance is located on the Publix side of the building. Shows start at 7:30pm on Thursdays, 8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3:00pm on Sundays.

For more information or reservations call the box office Tuesdays through Saturdays 1-6 pm at 803-254-9732. Visit www.trustus.org for all show information and season info.

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