THE OPTIMIST

From Ground UP Productions, the company behind last year's smash musical The People vs. Mona, comes Jason Chimonides' edgy, new play THE OPTIMIST, directed by Jace Alexander ("Rescue Me," "House, M.D.," "Burn Notice," "Xena: Warrior Princess" and more). THE OPTIMIST looks at the volatile and surprisingly hilarious clash of passion and genetics when three well-bred, intelligent 20-somethings -- fraternal twin brothers Noel and Declan and Noel's ex-girlfriend Nicole -- encamp at a cheap motel in Tallahassee, Florida on the eve of a friend's funeral, and the marriage of the young men's father to the woman with whom he had a longstanding affair while their mother was still alive. Sex, mortality and unrequited love lurk throughout the play as the trio anticipates the funeral of their young friend, and the wedding of the father who the young men believe was responsible for their beloved mother's death.

Starring Matt Burns, Caitlin FitzGerald & Chris Thorn*
Ryland Blackinton Apr 8 - 12

Producers: Kate Middleton & Matt Olin
Stage Mgr: Devan Hibbard
Set/Lighting Design: Travis McHale
Producer/TD: Dan Wheeless
Co-TD: Jeff Besselman
Costume Design: Elisa Richards
Fight Choreographer: Ron Piretti
Graphics: Wade Dansby 3
Photography: Randy Morrison

*denotes AEA

About the Company: Ground Up Productions

Ground UP Productions - a 3-year-old non-profit theatre company, is fresh off presenting the smash hit musical THE PEOPLE vs. MONA by Jim Wann and Patricia Miller. The production was hailed as "good natured, down home fun" by the New York Times, "consistently inventive" by the New York Post and a "hootin' good time" by Variety. Other productions include: THE SHAPE OF THINGS, THE HOUSE OF YES, PROOF, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES (NY Revival), LOBBY HERO, HOT DAMN HOLIDAY!, BURN THIS, JACK AND JILL, and BABY WITH THE BATHWATER. Ground UP Productions continues to break ground with the new classics, reviving well-known theatre in unique ways and producing new works destined for greatness.