What Rhymes with America

September 25 through October 4, 2015

The Producing Unit presents

What Rhymes with America

Written by Melissa James Gibson

Directed by Peter Frisch

A father and his teenage daughter stand on either side of a closed door. Life is unraveling for him, and it is entirely uncertain for her. So begins Melissa James Gibson's poignant and hysterically funny play about estrangement and the partially examined life. Four lost souls fight their losing battle for identity and happiness in an unforgiving world.

Starring Bill Egan, Deborah Bertling, Ariel Eakin and Ivy Vahanian

Peter Frisch, former Executive Director of the Granada Theater, stage director of 160 plays, musicals, cabaret and opera, producer of 150 hours of network television, directs Gibson’s miniature, quirky, gem of a play. 

Hank (Bill Egan) is a recently separated dad. Because of the messy way his marriage is ending, he tries to define a new relationship with his 16-year-old daughter, Marlene (Ariel Eakin). Backstage at the Metropolitan Opera, Hank finds a friend in the needy and unpredictable Sheryl (Ivy Vahanian) and thanks to a chance meeting, he becomes involved with the seriously complicated Lydia (Deborah Bertling). What Rhymes With America examines how Hank adjusts to his new life and juggles relationships with these three, very different women. The 2012 “dramedy” mixes big laughs with truly heartbreaking moments.

"This touching, sorrowful comedy [is]…full of compassionate wonder at the innumerable ways in which lives can go wrong." 

—NY Times.

"Gibson writes fluidly and beautifully for that Impatient Age, slowing down our emotional metabolism for deeper scrutiny. 

—New York Magazine.

"People in Melissa James Gibson's enchanting, tough-minded, 85-minute play, WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA, feel their way around life with an off-balance neediness that is both morose and unexpectedly engaging 

—Newsday.

For more information, visit www.TheProducingUnit.org and www.facebook.com/TheProducingUnit

TIMES: Friday, September 25, at 8:00 P.M.

TIMES: Saturday, September 26, at 8:00 P.M.

TIMES: Sunday, September 27, at 2:00 P.M.

TIMES: Thursday, October 1, at 8:00 P.M.

TIMES: Friday, October 2, at 8:00 P.M.

TIMES: Saturday, October 3, at 2:00 P.M.

TIMES: Saturday, October 3, at 8:00 P.M.

TIMES: Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 P.M.

TICKETS: $29 general, $18 groups of 10 or more, $18 students, $11.50 student rush 30 minutes before curtain subject to availability, I.D. required

All seating is general admission. All ticket sales are final at the time of purchase. There are no refunds or exchanges. For all performances late seating is on a limited basis, or is not allowed at all once the performance begins. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

BOX OFFICE (805) 963-0408 (V/TDD)