The Comedy “It’s Only a Play” opens at Rabbit Run Theater

Actors are (L to R): Marc Battista as Ira, Sandy Kosovich Peck as Virginia, Trey Gilpin as Frank, Carl Simoncic as Peter, Ingrid Balstad as Julia, Christopher Ashmun as James and Frank Ivancic as Gus. Photo credit: Kathy Sandham.

MADISON, OH – Terrence McNally’s comedy “It’s Only a Play” opens at Rabbit Run Theater, Friday, June 30, and runs through July 15.

Julia Budder throws a lavish party celebrating the opening of her play, The Golden Egg. While celebrities pour in downstairs, a group of insiders stake themselves out upstairs to await the reviews. A mixture of an excitable playwright, an unstable director and a pill-popping leading lady to name a few, is a recipe for all the narcissism, ambition, childishness, and comedy that infuse the theatre.

Playing the role of Julia is Ingrid Balstad, who has performed in numerous shows both at Rabbit Run Theater and the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby. Christopher Ashmun is playing James, an actor in the Julia’s show, with Trey Gilpin portraying the brilliant director Frank.

Sandy Kosovich Peck is playing the actress Virginia. Peck has performed in and directed numerous shows at Rabbit Run and is a theater faculty member at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby. Also performing is Marc Battista as Ira, the critic, Carl Simoncic as the playwright and Frank Ivancic as the hired help Gus.
“It’s Only a Play” is directed by Ann Hedger, programming coordinator at The Fine Arts Association. Hedger has been associated with Rabbit Run since the 1980’s as an actor and director.

“I feel like we are bringing Broadway to Madison, Ohio,” says Hedger. “Terrence McNally’s play is a hysterical view of what opening night of a play on Broadway is like, while waiting for that elusive and hopefully rave review from the New York Times.”

“The over the top cast of “It’s Only a Play” are bringing the world of the playwright, actress, producer, director, critic, hired help and supportive friend to crazy heights in this fast paced, adult comedy. We are having a blast exploring this world of high stakes theatre and are excited to share it with Rabbit Run’s audiences.”

Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at www.rabbitrunonline.org. Tickets are $23/adult and $21/senior, student. For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.

Guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal to enjoy on the grounds of the theater prior to a show in the new picnic pavilion or courtyards.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. “It’s Only a Play” is rated for 13 plus, adult audience for language and content.

Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH. Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, De Nora, Hearn Plumbing and Heating and Lighthouse Advisers.

 

Press release submitted by:

Karen Ziegler
Director of Marketing/Group Sales
Rabbit Run Theater
P. O. Box 235, 49 Park St., Madison, OH  44057
440-428-5913
www.rabbitrunonline.org