For Immediate Release: May 2, 2005
Media Contact: Growden Theatre Company, 267.253.2992

After a highly successful run of it's first production, the world premiere of Edmund Sabato's Tight Race this past November, Growden Theatre Company is pleased to close it's inaugural season with the world premiere of Joseph Knorrs new drama Ups & Downs June 8th thru June 19th at the Shubin Theatre 407 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia.

Featuring Anthony Magosh, Shelli Pentimall, and Elyssa Phillips, Ups & Downs follows the lives of a young couple as they go thru the continuous highs and lows encountered within their relationship. From the Ups of finding that special someone, and the bliss that follows, to the downs of financial struggles, and worries of infidelities, Ups & Downs is a story that compels the audience to feel they're watching themselves on stage. " We chose to present this play because of it's content." say Artistic Director Carl Kazinetz. "As the story unfolds, many of the situations that occur through out will compel the audience to feel that they're looking into a mirror. All of us go through relationships, the emotional, and various dilemmas that happen, so we can all understand and sympathize with the characters and the situations that they encounter."

Cast and Creative Team

Anthony Magoch (Joe) currently plays many roles in Tony N' Tina's Wedding including Johnny Nunzio, and is a member of the Gurus of Guffaw improv comedy troupe. He holds a BFA in theatre from the University of the Arts and has studied with Second City and Improv Olympic in Chicago.

Shelli Pentimall (Jen) received her Master's degree in Theatre Arts from Eastern Michigan University before attending The Actor's Studio in Manhattan. Since returning to Philadelphia, she has been involved with several area theatres as an actor, director and playwright. Her recent credits include leading roles in Proof, Memory of Water, Anton in Show Business, Of Mice and Men and Lebensraum. As a playwright her original work has been produced locally at the Brick Playhouse, Montgomery Theatre Project and Village Players. Outside the world of theatre, she teaches communication and theatre arts courses at Philadelphia and Montgomery County Community College. This summer she will be directing Michael Hollinger's Empty Plate at the Cafe Du Grand Boeuf at Langhorne Players.

Elyssa Phillips (Karen) is a New York native, and a graduate of the University Of The Arts. Previous credits include; Tony 'N Tina's Wedding (Mynnelou Productions), The Baby Monitor (The Simon Studio, NY), and The Murder Of Joyce Carol Oates (Pulse Ensemble Theatre, NY).

Carl Kazinetz (Director, Joseph Knorr) is the founder and Artistic Director of the Growden Theatre Company. Beginning his career in live television as a Camera Operator then Director, he has worked in various aspects of theatre in and around the Philadelphia area. Along with directing Ups & Downs, he directed Growden Theatres inaugural production Tight Race, and will be directing One World Theatre Theatre Company's production of The Crucible in Bethleham Pa this September.

Tara Gruber (Assistant Director) is currently the stage manager for the Philadelphia production of Tony N Tina's Wedding. Her other credits include directing Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit and stage managing Joined At the Head by Catherine Butterfield. She received her BA in Theatre and Communication from Messiah College.

Kristin Snyder (Wardrobe Consultant) is a recent graduate of The Art Institute of Philadelphia, with degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing. She designed costumes for The Brick Playhouse's Drive to a Departing Flight, and has interned at Media Theatre where she worked on The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Hair. For the past six years she has researched, designed and constructed period costume pieces for the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Ups & Downs kicks off on June 8th at 7pm with a preview performance, opens June 9th @ 7pm, followed by performances June 10th,, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th @ 8pm, June 11th, and 18th @ 2 & 8pm, June 12th, and 19th @ 2 & 6pm.

For more information about Ups & Downs, or the Growden Theatre Company, visit us on the web at www.growdentheatre.org.

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