Venice Little Theatre www.venicestage.com

CONTACT PERSON [NOT FOR RELEASE] : Maureen Holland, 484-4033 x 221

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                April 25, 2008

It was the first, and some say it’s still the funniest: Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn closes out VLT MainStage season

Come Blow Your Horn was Neil Simon’s first Broadway play. It opened in 1961 and was an immediate hit, garnering Simon his first of many Tony nominations. In an era of edgy drama, the show thrilled New York audiences and set them to laughing aloud. So much so, that it became the longest running Broadway comedy up to that time.

And, as every American theatre-goer now knows, it set off a string of Simon hits that saw at least one Simon play on Broadway for the next 14 years. This perennially popular piece is the final offering in Venice Little Theatre’s 2007-08 MainStage season and opens there on May 13, 2008 and continuing through May 25. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $23 and are on sale now in the theatre’s box office, by phone at 941-488-1115 or online at www.venicestage.com

Simon based Come Blow Your Horn loosely on a subject he knew well - his own family. It tells the story of two brothers, one a 33-year old bachelor and ladies man; the other his adoring 21-year old brother who has fled home where his father is urging him to enter the ‘waxed fruit business’. As the brothers settle in together on Manhattan’s East Side, fending off the hilarious pleadings of their parents, the fun begins. And with Neil Simon, fun means laughs, more laughs and then more laughs.

Playing the brothers are Jeremy Heideman (Buddy) and Bryant Mason (Alan). Heideman recently played the lead role of Katurian in VLT’s Stage II production of The Pillowman. Mason, a long-time friend of VLT’s Artistic Director Murray Chase, and a graduate of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, returns to the area to play Alan. When Mason returned to Sarasota from NY earlier to appear in Free and Clear with Polly Holliday, he won a Handy Award as "Best Actor in A Play" for the 2003-04 season.

Immediately after this production, Mason returns to play the title role in Macbeth at the New York Classical Theatre through the summer months. (CONTACT Maureen Holland TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS WITH BRYANT MASON)

A bit of trivia: in Come Blow Your Horn, there is an off-stage character named . . . Felix Unger! He, of course, shows up later – and very much on-stage – as half of The Odd Couple.

Directing is Larry Golden, who appeared at VLT in the 04-05 season; he thrilled audiences as Tevye in that season’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. A professional actor, Golden makes his VLT directorial debut with this show. Sharon Fieser is Stage Manager.

Scenic Designer is David Lynn-Jones, whose previous design credits at VLT include Arsenic and Old Lace, Little Women and Over the Tavern.

This show is being sponsored by The Bank of Venice.

The theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave on the island in Venice. The Box Office is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and opens one hour before all performances.

Jeremy Heideman and Bryant Mason as the brothers Buddy and Alan Baker.

Jeremy Heideman with Grace Vitale (left) and Autumn Cassandra Taylor.

by NEIL SIMON

May 13-25, 2008

Tuesday thru Saturday at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $23.00

DIRECTOR: Larry Golden

STAGE MANAGER: Sharon Fieser

SCENIC DESIGN: David Lynn-Jones

LIGHTING DESIGN: Alise Hart

SOUND DESIGN: Dorian Boyd

COSTUMER: Nicholas Hartman

PROPS: Steve Credeur