For Immediate Release: January 3, 2006
Media Contact: Veronica Griego, Azuka Theatre, 215.327.5713

Azuka Theatre presents the World Premier of The Boys by Kris Elgstrand, directed by Kevin Glaccum. The show opens February 1, 2006 and runs through February 19 at Second Stage, 2030 Sansom Street. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 P.M., Sunday at 2:00 P.M.

The Boys is a surprisingly funny dark comedy about two brothers who return to their childhood home for the funeral of their father. Donny wants to get even with his family. Des wants a figurine that looks like his long-dead mother. Margaret wants them out of her house. Forced to spend the night there 'the boys' do battle with their step-mother, each other and themselves.

Azuka Theatre's production features Barrymore Award winners Mike Dees (Chicago, Shakespeare in Hollywood), Mary Martello (Beauty and the Beast, Sweeny Todd) and Pete Pryor (Recent Tragic Events-director, Richard III). Mr. Elgstrand's work has been produced in his native Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. He was also awarded the Bravo! FACT Short Cuts Canada Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2004 for his screenplay Man Feel Pain.

Azuka Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum will be directing The Boys. "I first saw a reading of this play when I visited friends in Vancouver in 2001. I was struck by how easily Kris's language and characters switched so fluidly between comedy and tragedy. I was laughing out loud one minute, and truly moved the next. Very impressive. We did a reading of it here in 2002 and it was so well received we decided to mount it as a full production. When I was able to assemble this 'dream cast', I knew we were in good shape."

CREATIVE TEAM

Mike Dees most recently was seen in The Wilma Theater's production Shakespeare in Hollywood. He has previously worked with Azuka Theatre in their production of Laura's Bush as well as The Maya Project, Theater Horizon and South Jersey Performing Arts Center. Mike has an M.A. in Theater from Villanova University. While there, he won the 2002 Barrymore Award for Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role as Amos in Chicago.

Mary Martello Over ten shows at The Walnut Street Theatre including Triumph of Love (Barrymore Award), Suite in Two Keys (Barrymore Nomination). Arden: Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd(Barrymore Award) Café Puttanesca (Barrymore Award), and more. Polly Pen's Embarrassments at The Wilma Theatre. Bat Boy with 1812 Productions. Seasons at McCarter Theatre, Denver Center, BoarsHead.

Pete Pryor is a Co-Founder and Resident Artist of 1812 Productions. He is a three- time nominee for the F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Award and received a Barrymore Award for Best Supporting Actor Road at The Wilma Theatre. He has worked with The Philadelphia Theatre Company, People's Light and Theatre Company, The New Freedom Theatre, Festival Theatre for New Plays, The Young Playwrights Festival, The O'Casey Theatre of Northern Ireland, Brat Productions, The Arden Theatre Company and 1812 Productions among others. He is a past recipient of an Independence Foundation Fellowship to observe at the National Theatre Workshop for the Handicapped.

Kevin Glaccum has been Producing Artistic Director of Azuka Theatre for four years, producing six shows, 'Twas the Night; Four (director); Laura's Bush; An Artist's Workshop (Barrymore Award Nomination for Outstanding New Play); Friends, and Sincerity Forever (director). He has worked with The Arden Theater Company, 1812 Productions, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Kevin attended The Lincoln Center Directors Lab in June 2005.

Kris Elgstrand studied acting with the Atlantic Theater Company in New York with David Mamet and William H. Macy. In 1993, he co-founded Ah Um Theatre where his productions have included Black Codes: Three Plays (Canada/US Fringe Festival tour), Life With A Hole In It, and Murder Ballads. Other productions include Clean Dirt (The Other Theatre, Los Angeles), and Dead Man's Shoes (The Khyber, Halifax). Kris has also written several short films including imetacanine (Winner, Best Film, Reelfast Film Festival, 2003), and Man Feel Pain (winner, Bravo!FACT Short Cuts Canada Award, Toronto International Film Festival, 2004).

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