For Immediate Release: July 8, 2005
Media Contact: Charlene Thellmann, Ritz Theatre Company, 856.488.9093

We continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary season by introducing our audiences to two new and exciting theater companies. This month we are pleased to present "Oldfriends.com" from Random Acts of Theater and "Greater Tuna" from Actors Core. Both productions stars veteran Ritz actors.

We also have a special offer of a "Buy one ticket at full price and get one half off when you bring a "friend" and a can of "tuna" to the Ritz!" Offer applies to performances of "Oldfriends.com" and "Greater Tuna" only. Food items will be donated to the South Jersey Food Bank. Bring your tuna to the box office at time of ticket purchase.

Marcia J. Monbleau's two-woman play, "Oldfriends.com," is a story about the relationship of cranky-but-caring Cape Codder Katherine Whittemore, a retired English literature professor and her longtime friend, glamorous British actress Valerie Kent. The two older women have been separated by time and distance, but reunite through emails. Friends for over 50 years, we watch as their lives begin to unfold over the course of a year starting on Jan. 1, 2002, on opposite sides of the Atlantic. The production stars Ellen Sheinkin of Cinnaminson as crusty and pragmatic Kate and Ginna Higgins of Cherry Hill as flamboyant and flighty Val. Ellen was last seen on the Ritz stage in "Hair." Ginna's most recent Ritz performance was in last year's production of "The Foreigner." "Oldfriends.com" is directed by Jane Stojak of Philadelphia.

"Oldfriends.com" was first produced in the area by Random Acts of Theater at the Triangle Theater in Philadelphia to a very enthusiastic audience response. Jane Stojak, founder and Producing Artistic Director of Random Acts of Theater at the Triangle Theater in Philadelphia says "It's beautifully written, and takes a tender look at women's friendships, at growing older, and at how we live our lives. Women of a certain age are rarely portrayed on-stage. "Oldfriends.com" is heartwarming and poignant - the kind of show you'll want to see with all your friends."

Performances are at 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday, August 19, 20 (tickets $22.00) Sunday, August 21 at 2 PM. (tickets $17.00) For information and to purchase tickets call the Ritz Theatre box office at (856)-858-5230. Or on the web at: www.ritztheatreco.org. Group rates available.

"Greater Tuna," by Joel Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard, tells the hilarious story of "Greater Tuna," the third smallest town in Texas where the Lion's Club is too liberal and everyone idolizes Patsy Cline. With quick change artistry of characters and costumes, two actors, Ray Croce of Cherry Hill and Greg Krywusha or Runnemede, portray 22 of the town's eccentrics including women, children and animals.

The play opens on Tuna's #1 radio station OKKK, with on air hosts Arles and Thurston reporting the local news. With a blink of an eye, the actors effortlessly slide into the roles of a young boy with a puppy addiction, a bouffant-wigged housewife, a drunken UFO spotter, and a parade of colorful of characters . And then there's Yipee, Trixie, Shep, Bingo, Dolly, Blossom and Ripper, just some of the pesky dogs that keep trying to get into the house.

The production is directed by Randy Petersen of Westville. Assistant director, Antoinette Fugee of Laurel Springs. Costume design and construction by Heather Mack of Oaklyn.

Performances are at 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday, August 26, 27 (tickets $22.00) Sunday, August 28 at 2 PM. (tickets $17.00) For information and to purchase tickets call the Ritz Theatre box office at (856)-858-5230. Or on the web at: www.ritztheatreco.org. Group rates available.

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