Starlite Players marks first anniversary with “Strange Bedfellows”;
Four short comedies on July 14-17 bring number of productions to 45
SARASOTA, FL: With the opening of “Strange Bedfellows” on July 14, Starlite Players marks its first anniversary. The four short comedies in this show bring the total number of plays produced to 45 since the regional theater troupe made its debut on July 15, 2015 according to Jo Morello, founder and producing artistic director. Starlite Players presents a collection of original, unpublished, short plays for one weekend each month on the second floor of the Starlite Room. “We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the generous support of Tyler Yurckonis, owner of the Starlite Room,” Morello said. “We’re also grateful for support from the Jazz Club of Sarasota, from our audiences and especially from theater professionals in the Tampa Bay area who share their talent with us.”
In“Strange Bedfellows,” Starlite Players explores the funny side of four unlikely attractions. The comedies run on Thursday through Saturday, July 14-15-16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the casual, intimate theater upstairs at The Starlite Room, 1001 Cocoanut Avenue. Tickets at $17.50 include the four plays and a 15% discount on an optional pre- or post-show dinner at the Starlite Room. In addition, complimentary snacks are provided for post-show parties on opening and closing nights (Thursday and Sunday).
The four comedies are:
Object of Affection by Thomas J. Misuraca. Director: Daniel Greene.
Morris (Philip Troyer) and Walt (Rafael Petlock) can’t wait to meet their friend Ed’s (Rik Robertson) latest object of affection. Even their decision to accept Ed’s choice doesn’t prepare them for Loni or the competition for Loni’s attention. (Previous productions: Cockroach Theatre’s Two Dollar Ten Minutes, Las Vegas, NV; Nylon Fusion Collective’s This Round’s On Us, New York City; Spokane Radio Theatre.)
Ribbing Adam by Richard J. Budin. Director: Jamie Lee Butrum.
Clueless Adam (Joseph Rebella) comes to life before an impatient God (Ken Basque) only to learn that his maker will take one of his ribs to give him a partner. Eve (Liz Pascoe) is created as planned but her up-to-date outlook ensures that’s the last thing that goes as planned. The Serpent (Rik Robertson) encourages them to eat the forbidden orange in this comedic spoof with absolutely no religious significance. (Previous production: Island Community Theatre, Treasure Island, FL.)
You, Me. Me, You. by Len Cuthbert. Director: Jenny Aldrich Walker.
“We’ve changed since high school. Especially you.” At their high school reunion Lexi (Eliza Lipton) and Charlie (Ren Pearson) meet again—or is it for the first time? Although they discover that things in high school weren’t as they seemed, they still have good reason to be surprised. (Previous production: Falling Pennies Theatre, U.K., April 2016.)
Potential by Scott Mullen. Director: Daniel Greene.
How do you keep a blind date from walking out? Archie (Rafael Petlock) decides on a ferry ride, not expecting that another woman onboard (Jamie Lee Butrum) will try to hijack his date (Grace Vitale). The two women argue over Archie and keep upping the ante as they insist that he choose. Archie only wants to escape—but how do you walk off a boat that’s moving across the water? (Premiere production.)
For show tickets and information: www.starliteplayers.com, [email protected], and 941.587.8290 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Also see the Starlite Players Facebook page. For dinner reservations: 941.702.5613. (Please note the spelling of “Starlite.”)
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Object of Affection:
Walt (Rafael Petlock) and Morris (Philip Troyer) are perplexed by the new love interest of their friend Ed (Rik Robertson) in “Object of Affection” by Thomas J. Misuraca. The play is part of “Strange Bedfellows,” a collection of four short comedies presented by Starlite Players on July 14-17 in the Starlite Room.
Ribbing Adam
Eve (Liz Pascoe) tempts Adam (Joseph Rebella) in the Garden of Eden in “Ribbing Adam” by Richard J. Budin. The play is part of “Strange Bedfellows,” a collection of four short comedies presented by Starlite Players on July 14-17 in the Starlite Room.
You, Me. Me, You.
“We’ve changed since high school. Especially you.” At their high school reunion Lexi (Eliza Lipton) and Charlie (Ren Pearson) meet again—or is it for the first time? The play, “You, Me. Me, You” by Len Cuthbert, is part of “Strange Bedfellows,” a collection of four short comedies presented by Starlite Players on July 14-17 in the Starlite Room.
Potential
Befuddled Archie (Rafael Petlock) had planned the perfect blind date with Liz (Grace Vitale, ) but Nancy (Jamie Lee Butrum) tries to wrest him away in “Potential” by Scott Mullen. The play is part of “Strange Bedfellows,” a collection of four short comedies presented by Starlite Players on July 14-17 in the Starlite Room.
