For Immediate Release: June 17, 2005
Media Contact: John Stanton, Madhouse Theater Company, 215.260.4968

"Throbbing squirm, gurgling bloody mess
I'm not a discharge I'm not a loss in
protein I'm not a throbbing squirm Ah!"
-Sex Pistols, Never Mind the Bollocks, "Bodies"

Madhouse Theater Company presents the East Coast premiere of a rockin' comedy full of soul. Karen DiLossi directs Squid & Fishy running from September 7th to September 9th at The Playground in The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the venue by calling Live Arts & Philly Fringe Box office at (215) 413-1318 or by visiting www.livearts-fringe.org.

Squid & Fishy tells the story of two punk rockers, Squid and Fishy, who are helplessly devoted to each other and their dream of starting a thrift store called "Screamin' Rags." Their dream lies within reach… they got the store, they got the goods, wait…they got some guy they picked up on the subway, and now, hold on… they got pregnant? Dreams will never quite be the same as two strange invaders seek refuge in the punks' world. When the stranger won't leave and Fishy keeps vomiting, Squid is expected to bring home the bacon! What's a punk to do!

The story of Squid and Fishy reminds us all that sometimes dreams are really just nightmares in disguise. It's a play about taking a humorous look at responsibility in an irresponsible world.

Playwright Ralph Tropf speaking about his inspiration for Squid & Fishy says, "A seminar given by David Milch, creator of NYPD Blue and HBO's Deadwood spurred me to write something about the Lower East Side scene, and about the culture I knew living in New York in the late 80's." Director Karen DiLossi was thrilled to immerse herself in that scene, "I have always had a penchant for the unusual and the grittier side of life and with this play, I have the opportunity to explore that chaotic world." Madhouse Theater Company is proud to bring to the stage a one-act only seen on the West Coast, that is, until now.

Artistic Staff

John Stanton, (Co-Artistic Director) A Temple University graduate, Stanton founded Madhouse Theater Company in 2000. They've produced three of his plays: Head Case, No Show, and the DiLossi directed 3sum. Stanton conceived the idea of Madhouse’s late night variety show Saturday Night Special for which he also wrote and directed. He currently sits on the Spark Committee, a program of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, which generates discussions and offers networking opportunities between the emerging theatre companies and valuable service organizations.

Karen DiLossi, (Director, Squid & Fishy; Co-Artistic Director) She received her BA from Washington College and an MA from Villanova. Her recent directing credits include readings of The Transparency of Val (1812 Productions), and Blithe Spirit (Eureka Theatre Project). At last year's Philly Fringe, Karen directed the sold-out hit RGDG? for Giant Ape Theatre Company. Other favorite directing projects include: Cinderella Waltz, The Open Couple, Tartuffe, Woyczek, and Stanton's 3Sum. She has also directed many pieces for Madhouse’s late night variety show, also a 2004 Philly Fringe sell-out hit, the Saturday Night Special. Karen will be assistant directing Jennifer Childs this spring for 1812 Productions' World Premiere Daughters of Genius. She is also Director of Programs and Services for the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and a Live Arts and Philly Fringe Box Office Employee.

Ralph Tropf, (Writer Squid & Fishy) He has been a playwright and screenwriter for over twenty years and Executive Producer of The All Roses Company. Ralph served as Executive Producer on the first production of his play Shadow Hour at the Stella Adler Theater which is published by Samuel French. His screenplay, The Orchid and the Cross, was a semi-finalist for a Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting. He is a resident company member of Theatre Neo and chairman of Neo Playwrights. He teaches Humanities at Los Angeles Trade and Tech and Cal State Northridge. He recently completed the script for Adventure in Petopia, a video game for SONY PSP, available Christmas 2005.

The Madhouse Theater Company was founded by Conshohocken native John Stanton as a way to produce his own work. It premiered with his Head Case, which in its second incarnation was a City Paper 2002 Fringe pick and which the Philadelphia Weekly called “...inspired silliness.” With Villanova graduate (and South Philly’s own) Karen DiLossi, Madhouse produced Stanton’s 3sum and created the highly successful late night variety show Saturday Night Special, which features new work by young and seasoned writers, collaborating with a multitude of directors and actors from all disciplines and backgrounds. Producing three of Stanton's plays, Head Case, No Show, and 3sum along with the ten Saturday Night Specials Madhouse has achieved small cult status. Madhouse's mission is to challenge the present by producing plays that stimulate the mind and stir the range of human emotions.

Wednesday, September 7th, 7:00pm
Thursday, September 8th, 9:30pm
Friday, September 9th, 7:00pm

“2 Punk Rockers lose at love in the 'Screamin’ Rags' Thrift Store in the Lower East Side. Love ain’t easy when you’re broke in New York with a baby on the way. Directed by Karen DiLossi of last years RGDG? From the gang that brought you the Saturday Night Special.” Ticket information at www.livearts-fringe.org. Company information at www.madhousetheater.com.

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