Photo Flash: Straz Theater Presents MISS ABIGAIL'S GUIDE TO DATING

At the brand new, laugh-out-loud comedy, Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage, you'll learn how to find and keep your perfect mate by listening to relationship guru Miss Abigail's classic romance advice from yesteryear! Whether you've been married for decades or your deepest relationship is with your dog, grab your date, your mate (or even your ex!) and come to Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage. You'll be laughing about love all night long.

Directed by Ken Davenport and written by Davenport and Sarah Saltzberg, Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage is based on Abigail Grotke's popular book of the same name that promises "classic advice for contemporary dilemmas." The scenic design for the production is by Scott Cooper with lighting design by Joseph P. Oshry and costume design by Rick Criswell.

Laurie Birmingham stars as Miss Abigail. Birmingham recently made a big move to New York City and landed this job as Miss Abigail right off the bat! A veteran stage actor for 35 years she has performed in regional theaters across the country including the Asolo Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Virginia Stage Company to name a few. Some favorite roles include Josie in A Moon For The Misbegotten, Madame Arcati in Blythe Spirit, Queen Margaret in Richard III, Claire in A Delicate Balance and Penny Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You.

Birmingham is joined onstage by Mauricio Perez as Paco in his Straz Center debut. Perez has been seen off-Broadway in Altar Boyz and regionally at the Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre Of St. Louis and Colorado's Arvada Center for the Arts.

Performances of Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage are scheduled Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances on Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. only. There is a special added matinee performance on Thursday, June 17 at 2 p.m. Regularly priced tickets start at $29.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online at www.strazcenter.org. For more information about the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, please visit the Straz Center's website at www.strazcenter.org.

Visit the official website at www.MissAbigailsGuide.com

Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its programs are funded in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners; the Tourist Development Council/Hillsborough County; and the City of Tampa.

Photo credit: Rob-Harris Productions