For Immediate Release: March 7, 2006
Media Contact: Erin Lucas, Flashpoint Theatre Company, 215.514.8965

Feed the Hype - WORLD PREMIERE!
by Tim Appignani
directed by Derick Loafmann
March 29 - April 15, 2006
Second Stage - 2030 Sansom Street
Tickets: $15, $12 (Students/Seniors)
www.flashpointtheatre.org
Box Office: 215-514-0361

The day a state-of-the-art tropical resort is slated to open, the hotel staff goes on strike, an engagement ring gets lost in a soufflé, a famous actor threatens to commit suicide and just about everything else that could possibly go wrong, does! Up-and-coming playwright and Philadelphia native Tim Appignani brings a cluster of flustered characters to the stage in this world premiere comedy!

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 began writing while in detention at local Conestoga High School. He found his calling when local playwright and performer Ed Shockley lead a playwriting workshop at CHS. From then on, Appignani threw himself into the world of plays, working with Philadelphia Young Playwrights and studying writing with literary critic and Samuel Beckett biographer Jonathan Kalb at Hunter College. Appignani currently manages the box office at Philadelphia Theatre Company, teaches at the University of the Arts and has worked as a writer with Uncut productions, Philadelphia Theatre Workshop and others.

Director Derick Loafmann is known for his work in comedy. As an actor, Derick has amused audiences as Crumpet in Flashpoint's production of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries and in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.abridged. Loafmann works as a writer, performer and director with sketch comedy group SkitSoid and got his start in directing with the hilarious Woody Allen farce, God.

Flashpoint is thrilled to announce an abundantly talented cast of up-and-coming actors for this production. Nathaniel Robertson (Steve) is a recent Temple graduate and appeared in Bras and Beaters as part of the 2005 Philly Fringe and in Drive Angry, Flashpoint's contribution to the 2005 10-for-10 SPARK Showcase Festival. Keith Conallen takes on the role of Dana, the self-involved, high-maintenance film director. Keith recently appeared in Flashpoint's Between Us and Balm in Gilead as part of the 2005 Fringe Festival. Rising star Sara Pauley (Between Us - Flashpoint, Un-American - Lantern Theatre Company) also appears as Jeannie. Also featured are David Faris, Nick Martorelli, Christopher Salazar, Jordan Stalsworth, and son of 2006 Oscar-nominee William Hurt, Alex Hurt.

Information about performance dates and times, as well as directions to the theatre, 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.

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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