PHILADELPHIA– For five years, South Philadelphia-based Theatre Exile has brought together local writers, nationally recognized playwrights and non-traditional theater makers together for its annual New Play Development Series. The lineup for Studio X-hibition 2014 comes from Philadelphia’s most accomplished playwrights, and covers ground from finding redemption in the Tastykake aisle to a retrospective on former mayor Frank Rizzo. Theatre Exile’s commitment to new work looks to take the newest ideas from local writers to the national theatrical community, while importing ideas that have impact for artists living and working in Philadelphia.

Onstage April 7, Trish Tinkler Gets Saved is a dark comedy about finding a home in the most unexpected places from Barrymore Award-winning playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger. The play will feature Amanda Schoonover as Trish, who spends her 40th birthday waiting for Jesus in the Tastykake aisle.

An untitled piece known as The Rizzo Project from Bruce Graham, award-winning playwright and South Philadelphia resident, will bring one of the most dramatic figures in the city’s history to the stage on May 5. Featuring Barrymore Award-winning actor Scott Greer as Rizzo, the script is roughly based on S.A. Paolantonio’s biography and draws from Graham’s interviews with people who knew Rizzo well.  Graham knows that based on his play’s subject alone, audience reactions to his work will be divisive—but argues that is what makes for good theater. “Anyone who divides people the way he did has got to make a great character,” Graham said.

For 101.2, presented June 2, Theatre Exile associate artistic director Matt Pfeiffer directs a full-length play by the notable local lighting and scenic designer, artistic director and playwright Thom Weaver and starring Harry Philibosian.

The play reading series will be held on first Mondays from April – June, 2014 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free to subscribers and will go on sale at a later date, available online at theatreexile.org or by calling the Theatre Exile Box Office at (215) 218-4022. Readings will take place at Studio X, 1340 South 13th Street in Philadelphia.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Trish Tinkler Gets Saved by Jacqueline Goldfinger
Directed by Brey Ann Barrett
Featuring Amanda Schoonover
Monday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Studio X

The Rizzo Project by Bruce Graham
Directed by Joe Canuso
Featuring Scott Greer
Monday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Studio X

101.2 by Thom Weaver
Directed by Matt Pfeiffer
Featuring Harry Philibosian, Jeb Kreager and Robert DaPonte
NEW DATE: June 2 at 7 p.m.
Studio X

ABOUT JACQUELINE GOLDFINGER | Playwright, Trish Tinkler Gets Saved
Jacqueline Goldfinger is a Barrymore Award-winning playwright and the Playwright-in-Residence at Azuka Theatre Company  (M.F.A. University of Southern California; B.A. Agnes Scott College). She is an Adjunct Professor of Playwriting at the University of Pennsylvania and University of the Arts. She is also a Co-Founder of The Foundry, an organization that supports the development of emerging playwrights.

ABOUT BRUCE GRAHAM | Playwright, The Rizzo Project
Bruce Graham began his career as a playwright at the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays (PFT) in 1984 with Burkie. Graham became playwright-in-residence at PFT and later served two years as Artistic Director.  He has received grants from the Pew Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and was a past winner of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette. He won the Rosenthal Prize for Coyote On A Fence. An ex-high school teacher, Graham still teaches playwriting and film courses at Drexel University. His textbook, The Collaborative Playwright, A Practical Guide to Getting Your Play Written (co-written with Michele Volansky) is published by Heinemann. His plays include Burkie, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over the Brewery, Minor Demons, Belmont Avenue Social Club, The Champagne Charlie Stakes, Desperate Affection, Coyote on a Fence (Winner of The Rosenthal Prize, – the West End production starred Ben Cross) According to Goldman, Dex and Julie Sittin’ in a Tree, and Mr. Hart and Mr. Brown. Something Intangible and Any Given Monday won consecutive Barrymore Awards in 2009 and 2010 for Best New Play. His one man show, The Philly Fan, plays semi-continuously throughout the Philadelphia area. The Outgoing Tide recently premiered at Northlight and won Chicago’s Jefferson Award for Best New Play. Two new plays opened in spring of 2013, including Stella and Lou in Chicago. Graham recently returned to acting, playing Lenny in his play Any Given Monday and Richard in Time Stands Still at Delaware Theatre Company and Act II, and Artie in Hurlyburly at New City Stage. Film credits include Dunston Checks In, Anastasia, Steal This Movie. T.V. MOVIES: Hunt for the Unicorn Killer, The Christmas Secret, Ring of Endless Light (Humanitas Award Winner – Best Children’s Screenplay) Right on Track, Tiger Cruise, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Trading Christmas. TELEVISION: Roseanne, Leg Work and various soap operas. His film Cedar Cove premieres on the Hallmark Channel in the spring of 2013 and then becomes a weekly series starring Andie McDowell.

ABOUT THOM WEAVER | Playwright, 101.2
Thom Weaver is a lighting and scenic designer, as well as Artistic Director of Flashpoint Theatre Company.  In the Philadelphia area, his work has been seen at the Arden Theatre, Azuka Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, People’s Light, New Paradise Laboratories, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Walnut Theatre, InterAct, Lantern, and Curtis Institute, among others.  In New York and across the country, his designs have been seen at Signature Theater Company, Milwaukee Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre, Virginia Stage, Folger Theatre, Asolo Rep, Theater J, Roundhouse, Two River, Hangar Theatre, CENTERSTAGE, Syracuse Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Urban Stages, Williamstown, The Committee Theatre, The Ohio, Berkshire Opera, Delaware Theatre Company, York Theatre, Summer Play Festival, 37 ARTS, Spoleto Festival USA, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Yale Rep.  His designs have been nominated for 11 Barrymores (as well as being a 3-time Haas finalist), winning in 2011 and 2012. He is also a 3-time Helen Hayes Award nominee.  In 2007 he won the AUDELCO Award for his work on Signature Theatre’s King Hedley II, and in 2003 he was Entertainment Design Magazine’s Tyro Talent Lighting Designer.  As a writer, he is the author of the full-length play 101.2, and the musical Zack and Addie (with composer Justin Ellington).  He is a member Wingspace Theatrical Design, and a founding board member of Theatre Philadelphia.  He received his B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University and his M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama.

ABOUT THEATRE EXILE
Founded in 1996 by Joe Canuso and Trish Kelly, Theatre Exile was created by a group of artists who wanted to rattle the gates of the mainstream. Drawn to plays that explore the complexities of the human condition and contain a sense of true Philadelphia grit and passion, Exile has produced 54 full-scale productions, including 14 world and 25 Philadelphia premieres. They were the first Philadelphia organization to produce such powerhouse playwrights as Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Tracy Letts, Noah Haidle, Rona Munro, David Harrower, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph. For their excellence in producing theatre, they have received 49 Barrymore Award nominations, with six awards total. Theatre Exile believes in freedom of expression formulated through innovation, exploration and provocation, all while providing a safe and creative environment, in which local artists can grow, experiment and ultimately, find their own voice.