Azuka Theatre announces the World Premiere of Whisky Neat, a funny sexy play about parking valets and how their world is turned upside down when a stranger comes to work there. Whisky Neat begins performances April 3rd-26th at The Latvian Society, 531 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia. Written by Bruce Walsh and directed by Kevin Glaccum, the play features Elena Bossler, Keith Conallen, Brian Cowden, Nathan Emmons and Luigi Sottile. Tickets are $16-$25; call 215-733-0255 or visit www.azukatheatre.org .

Whisky Neat is about a young man who claims to be a "Professional Philosopher." Armed with a fresh confidence and clean-cut good looks, 'Handsome' lands a highly sought after position parking cars at a posh club. In a setting where brutality and service go hand in hand, he poses as a sympathetic ear to the private despair and longings of the violent young men around him. Originally produced as Dasein, a one-act play in the 2002 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Whisky Neat has been expanded to a full-length play. Whisky Neat was one of the plays read last season as part of Azuka Theatre's Spotlight Series.

"I'm so excited to be directing this play," says Kevin Glaccum. "I saw a run through of Dasein in 2002 and was blown away; I thought Bruce had such a unique voice. The play really stayed with me, so when Bruce approached me about expanding it to a full length I jumped at the opportunity." Bruce Walsh adds "Over the last few years I've written site-specific plays believing it's easier to convince audiences to enter a tourist trolley or a yoga studio than the theater. I felt exiled from the theater, as many writers of my generation do. So when it became clear that Azuka felt my work belonged in a real live theater ... well, I sort of had to reevaluate my hardened cynicism. And what a joy it's been! Who will have that kind of faith and determination if companies like Azuka don't? Where will our next generation of writers come from if companies like Azuka don't search them out?"

Azuka Theatre was founded in 1999 and since then has built a reputation for accessible, thought-provoking and socially conscious theatre. Over the past nine seasons, Azuka Theatre has produced twelve plays and been hailed as "a company to watch" and a "major player on the Philadelphia alternative theatre scene," by the Philadelphia Weekly. In 1999 they were awarded the Philadelphia Gay News' LAMBDA Award for Outstanding Arts Event for their first production, La Rue des Faux. Last year Azuka received five Barrymore Award nominations for their production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, wining for Best Actress in a Musical- Kim Carson. Hedwig was named Best Musical of the Year by the Philadelphia Weekly. Other Barrymore Award Nominations; Outstanding New Play for An Artist's Workshop (2004) Best Actress in a Play, Mary Martello in The Boys (2006).

Bruce Walsh (playwright) is a Philadelphia based writer. His site-specific plays have been featured events in the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, including The Guided Tour (2004 & 2006) - a narrative elegy of Philadelphia aboard a tourist trolley - and Northern Liberty (2005), which lead audiences on a quest for the protagonist's unrequited muse. He has written two full length plays for the stage: William Wheathersby (2007 National Playwrights Conference Semifinalist) and Whisky Neat (2008). He also co-wrote one with an ensemble of actors: Once (2002, produced by Brat Productions). His short plays include: Dasein (2002 Philly Fringe) and Wounded Body (2000 Philly Fringe). Since 2006 he has worked as a freelance arts reporter and editor, mostly for the Philadelphia Metro. Bruce Walsh is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, INC. Kevin Glaccum (director) is Producing Artistic Director of Azuka Theatre where he has directed Kid Simple, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Barrymore nomination; Best Director-Philadelphia Weekly), Azuka One-Acts, The Boys, Four and Sincerity Forever. Other productions include Say Goodnight, Gracie (Act II Playhouse), Iron Kisses (PGLTF), Greek Active (Painted Bride) and The Rocky Horror Show (Arcadia University) among others. He is a member of Lincoln Centers Directors Lab.

Whisky Neat
Fact Sheet

Writer: Bruce Walsh
Director: Kevin Glaccum
Performances: Previews: Thursday April 2nd, Friday April 3rd, Saturday April 4th, andTuesday April 7th at 8:00, Sunday April 5th at 2:00
Opening: Wednesday April 8th, 7:00
Running: April 8-26th Wednesday thru Saturday at 8:00, Sunday at 2:00
Place: The Latvian Society
531 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Ticket Price: $16.00-$25.00
To Purchase Tickets: 215-733-0255, www.azukatheatre.org
Cast: Elena Bossler, Keith Conallen, Brian Cowden, Nathan Emmons and Luigi Sottile
For Info: 215-733-0255

LISTING EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: Azuka Theatre presents Whisky Neat, written by Bruce Walsh and directed by Kevin Glaccum, April 3rd-26th at The Latvian Society, 7th & Spring Garden Street. Handsome, a Professional Philosopher lands a job parking cars. His bravado and good looks spread chaos throughout this cutthroat workplace.