For Immediate Release: August 15, 2005
Media Contact: Erin Lucas, Flashpoint Theatre Company, 215.514.8965

During the inaugural 2004-2005 season, Flashpoint Theatre Company established itself as an exciting group of artists with a unique vision. The company will continue producing risky, thought-provoking work with a second season line-up featuring an emerging name in regional theatre, one of America’s top playwrights, and a local, up and coming writer.

Between Us – PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE!
by Joe Hortua
directed by Erin Lucas
September 28-October 16, 2005
2nd Stage – 2030 Sansom St.

After a workshop performance at Manhattan Theatre Club, Flashpoint snatched up the rights to this exciting new drama. Reminiscent of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Hortua’s Between Us captures the essence of two couples on the brink, exploring how we handle the compromises life presents and how the choices we make can jeopardize even the strongest of friendships. Grad school buddies Carlo and Joel are living the American dream – one is newly married and pursuing a career as an art photographer in Manhattan, while the other is a new father climbing the corporate ladder in suburbia. When these old friends reunite for a visit, however, they learn how quickly the American dream can turn into a nightmare. The production will be directed by Flashpoint Producing Artistic Director, Erin Lucas, who recently directed Matt Pelfrey’s Drive Angry for the SPARK 10-for-10 Festival in July, and Flashpoint’s debut production of The Credeaux Canvas by Keith Bunin.

Autobahn – PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE!
by Neil LaBute
directed by Michael Osinski
February 1-18, 2006
Shubin Theatre - 407 Bainbridge Street

What other locale hosts as much human drama as the front seat of the American automobile? Through seven brief vignettes, critically acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute (The Shape of Things, Your Friends and Neighbors) offers us a brutally honest and almost voyeuristic peek at the things we say – and the things we leave unsaid – from behind the steering wheel. Whether it’s a make-out session with some serious consequences, a long ride home from rehab, or a kidnapping disturbingly disguised as a camping trip, each encounter is a startlingly accurate portrayal of life and relationships in Middle America. Autobahn was originally produced as a staged reading in 2004 to raise funds for MCC Theater in New York; the production featured Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy, Kevin Bacon, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Kyra Sedgwick, and Paul Rudd, among others. Director Michael Osinski, whose production of Wendy MacLeod’s Schoolgirl Figure closed Flashpoint’s first season this spring, will tackle LaBute's unique and unforgiving script this winter.

Feed the Hype – WORLD PREMIERE!
by Tim Appignani
directed by Derick Loafmann
March 29 – April 15, 2006
Second Stage - 2030 Sansom Street

Flashpoint strives to provide opportunities for emerging artists, which makes this world premiere by a local playwright one of this season’s highlights. Steve, an attractive pro hockey player with a playoff berth, is vacationing at an exclusive new Caribbean resort. He’s poised to propose to his long-time girlfriend Claire . . . until Claire’s high-maintenance, melodramatic, oversexed film director boss puts the kybosh on Steve’s romantic intentions. This hysterical play examines the price people pay to stand in the spotlight. Tim Appignani is a playwright and screenwriter whose work has been produced by various local companies, including Uncut Productions.

A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW!
The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family
by David Sedaris
adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello
directed by Meghann Williams
December 1-17, 2005
The Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse - 507 S. 8th Street

Flashpoint is thrilled to bring back David Sedaris’ holiday classic in an all new production! This time around, not only will audiences hear the rantings of Santa’s least favorite helper, but they’ll be treated to the holiday newsletter of the deliciously dysfunctional Dunbar family. Director Meghann Williams promises to take a different spin on the production this year, and Flashpoint member Derick Loafmann, who recently appeared as The Bradley in Flashpoint's production of Schoolgirl Figure, will take on the role of Crumpet.

Information about performance dates and times, as well as ticket prices and artists featured in each production, can be found at www.flashpointtheatre.org. Tickets can be purchased online at Flashpoint's website, and they can also be reserved for purchase at the door by calling the box office at 215-514-0361. Discounted season subscriptions are also available online.

Flashpoint Theatre Company is dedicated to expanding cultural arts awareness in the greater Philadelphia area through the production of socially provocative and emotionally resonant works of theatre, through the development of educational programming within the community, and through collaboration with new and emerging voices from all artistic disciplines. Flashpoint’s season is sponsored by Philadelphia City Paper.

Photos available upon request – erin@flashpointtheatre.org, 215-514-8965

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