Fringe’s “Heart-Squeezing” APPLE FALLS Gets Raves!

The Fringe Theater presents the WORLD PREMIER of the original play THE APPLE FALLS by playwright and Fringe Producing Artistic Director Monnie O. King with final performances April 6, 7, 8, 9 at the Parish Hall of St Paul’s Church, 401 Duval.

Pauline is saving the world from a deadly poison that will kill everyone. She wants the government to buy her “remedy” to prevent this devastation – except that the poison exists only in her hallucinations. A brilliant musician who now lives on the street, she suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. As her family tries to help her, they must deal with the reality of her illness as it divides and threatens to destroy them.

Says King,”The audience response to Apple Falls has been tremendous, and heartwarming. So many are touched by mental illness and this play gives voice to the love and the turmoil of dealing with it.”

In an effort to make this play accessible, on Wednesday, April 6 the Fringe will offer the final Pay-What-You-Will night – patrons can pay any amount at the door. To reserve, call (305) 707-4053.

On Wednesday, April 6, Dr Douglas Eaton, M.D. Psychiatrist, Addiction Medicine Specialist, and Chief Medical Officer at the Key West VA Outpatient Clinic will offer a talkback at the end of the performance.

On Thursday, April 7, (Curtain at 7pm) Stephen Kitsakos, writer, director and associate of the Fringe, will moderate a Q&A panel including Dr. Fred Covan, former Chief Psychologist at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and author of the book, Crazy All The Time, Dr. Alan Teitelbaum, Psychiatrist and past chair of the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League, and Sherry Read, Mental Health Advocate.

Dennis Zacek, Artistic Director Emeritus of the famed Chicago Victory Gardens Theater, recipient of a regional Tony Award for excellence directs a stellar cast including Pauline (played by Tammy Shanley), the music prodigy; her parents (Richard Grusin and Rebecca Gleason) who pursue every avenue to help her, and enlist the aid of her sister, Emma (Melody Moore), Policeman Carl (L. John Van Norden), Dr Hartman (Neal Ruchman) and his nurse (Deborah Ann Snelgrove) in their cause. Emma’s daughter Chrissy is played by Amber Hernandez and Joe Mitchell plays Pizzaman.

The Apple Falls continues April 6, 7, 8, 9 in the Parish Hall of St Paul’s Church, 401 Duval Street. Curtain is at 8pm, except on April 7 when curtain will be at 7pm followed by the Talk Back session. Tickets are available at www.fringetheater.org or (305) 707-4053 or keystix.com or 305-296-7676.

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