FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 24, 2004
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE DRAMA HIDING BEHIND COMETS BY BRIAN DYKSTRA, MARCH 20-APRIL 18

(CINCINNATI) — The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues its 2003-2004 season with its third world premiere play, the gripping drama Hiding Behind Comets by Brian Dykstra. The show runs in the Playhouse’s Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre beginning March 20 and continuing through April 18.

At the center of Hiding Behind Comets are twin brother and sister Troy and Honey. Though the 20-something pair shares an unusually strong bond, they otherwise seem as different as night and day. Very little alters the mundane routine of their daily existence in the small northern California town in which they live.

One late summer evening, just a few hours before closing time, Cole, a stranger, wanders into their family-owned bar. A haggard man, he soon tries to pull each of the twins into conversation, quickly moving into fairly personal territory. Ultimately, Cole turns the conversation to a harrowing story from the past, a story connected to the tragic events of the Jonestown Massacre, in which cult leader Jim Jones led more than 900 followers to their death in South America in 1978.

It soon becomes clear that Cole’s visit has not been purely coincidental. However, the extent of his journey — its underlying motivation and the past horrors that have directed it — provide a roller coaster of surprises that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the play’s final moments.

Hiding Behind Comets contains strong sexual situations, adult language and graphic violence. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted.

Brian Dykstra is a New York based playwright whose works have been staged in New York, Los Angeles and London. His play Forsaking All Others earned rave reviews at London’s Pentameters Theatre and received a DramaLogue critics’ pick and a LA Weekly Pick of the Week for its Los Angeles run. Other plays include That Damn Dykstra (The Boxed Set), Silence, STRANGERHORSE, A Sane Policy and Spill the Wine. His newest play, Clean Alternatives, is being workshopped by The Lark Theatre Company.

Mr. Dykstra’s screenplay credits include Baggage Claim, Amazombies, Un-Coupled and Fight Game. He additionally has written for the Emmy-nominated television show The Life on ESPN. Also an actor, Mr. Dykstra has appeared frequently on the New York stage and in regional theatres across the country, including at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in the 1994 production of Keely and Du. He is a graduate of California State University who earned his master of fine arts degree from the Professional Acting Training Program at Rutgers University.

According to Mr. Dykstra, “In the most general terms, [Hiding Behind Comets] is a play about being spiritually adrift in a world where the alternatives to spirituality lead to idolatry and addiction.”

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern, who selected the play, said, “Brian’s strength is in his strong, visceral language. His plays are intense, sometimes uncomfortably intense… I hope audiences are ready to go on a ride when they see this show. I want people to say, ‘Wow, this is theatre I haven’t seen before.’ If they are open to this experience, it will be an exciting one.”

The cast members for Hiding Behind Comets all make their Playhouse debuts with this show. They include Christian Conn as Troy, Jacqueline van Biene as Honey, Erica Schroeder as Erin and Dan Moran as Cole.

The show is directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney. Other production team members include set designer Kevin Rigdon (former resident designer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company whose Broadway productions include One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Grapes of Wrath), costume designer Gordon DeVinney, lighting designer David Lander (who designed Broadway’s I Am My Own Wife and Dirty Blonde), sound designer Chuck Hatcher and fight director Drew Fracher. The stage manager is Suann Pollock.

Tickets to Hiding Behind Comets are on sale now. Prices range from $38.50-$46.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $31.50 for the preview performances at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 7 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24. The official opening night performance is Thursday, March 25 at 8 p.m.

Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

For tickets to Hiding Behind Comets or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $2 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection COMAIR, the Playhouse’s official airline.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati.

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, March 28
2 p.m. Sunday, April 4
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7
8 p.m. Thursday, April 15

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
Right Management Consultants

Production Design Sponsor:
Turner Construction Company

The 2003-2004 Shelterhouse Series is presented by
Heidelberg Distributing Co.

The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is
The Sheakley Group of Companies.

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