Blind date goes bad in Edgy Rep Reading

The cast of 'Becky Shaw,' from left: Cindy Bilby as Becky Shaw, Lane Hakel as Max Garrett, Kate Argow as Susan Slater, James MacFarlane as Andrew Porter, and Kate Abu-Absi as Suzanna Slater. The reading will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St.

A married couple's good intentions have disastrous results Saturday in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's Edgy Rep Reading of Becky Shaw on its 10th Street Stage.

Suzanna and Andrew, played by Kate Abu-Absi and James MacFarlane, feel obligated to pick up the pieces when the blind date they set up for two friends doesn't work out. Their friends, Becky Shaw, played by Cindy Bilby, and Max, played by Lane Hakel, keep pulling the couple into their own darkness.

"They get drawn into the other couple's emotional messes and have to figure out how to extract themselves from it," said director Anita Crane, who is making her directorial debut with this 2008 adult-themed comedy.

Crane has been stage manager for nine Rep shows and decided it was time to step out from behind the curtain. "I'm excited and a little nervous. This is a more creative role than I'm used to. Having been behind the scenes for so many years, I just kind of wanted to try something different."

Gina Gionfriddo's Becky Shaw is a great piece to embark on this new role, Crane said. "I love that it's dark and sarcastic and the characters aren't all necessarily likeable. You understand their motivation, but you don't always agree with their actions. I like characters that are interesting and complicated. It's funny."

A reception with light appetizers will be held at the Rep before the production.

After the show, the audience is welcome to meet the cast, which also includes Kate Argow as Susan, Suzanna's mother.

"Becky Shaw" will be read at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St. Tickets are $10. A reception with appetizers will start at 7:30 p.m. Information: 419-243-9277 or toledorep.org.

2012-2013 Season

The Blade is seeking the 2012-2013 area theater lineup for the fall Season of the Arts section. Submissions for theater listings should include the theater's name, address, phone number, email address, and a contact person's name and phone number. Also include a chronological list of the 2012-2013 productions and the venue if it differs from your theater's stage. Send items titled "2012-2013 Theater" to jnjaim@theblade.com.

Comedy

Comedian Damon Wayans, Jr., will perform six shows this weekend at Funny Bone Comedy Club in Fat Fish Blue Restaurant at Levis Commons, Perrysburg.

Wayans plays Brad Williams on the ABC comedy Happy Endings. He started his standup comedy under the pseudonym Kyle Green in 2005 following the footsteps of his father, Damon Wayans. He appeared in the 2009 movie Dance Flick. He's also written for and appeared with his father in the former Showtime 2006 sketch comedy series The Underground.

Damon Wayans, Jr., will perform at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday at Funny Bone Comedy Club in Fat Fish Blue, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. Additional performances are at 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday and at 6 and 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $23. Information: 419-867-9041 or funnybonefatfishtoledo.com.

Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com