The Studios of Key West Presents the World Premiere of Eric H. Weinberger’s Comedy Here’s Your Hat, What’s Your Hurry?

Posthumous production of beloved Key West playwright who died in May 2017

Written by Eric H. Weinberger

Directed by Stephen Kitsakos

Based on the short story by Elizabeth McCracken

Performances Friday-Sunday, January 5-7, 8PM + Saturday, January 6 Matinee, 3PM

The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton Street

Key West, Fl. — The Helmerich Theater at The Studios of Key West hosts the World Premiere of Eric H. Weinberger’s play, Here’s Your Hat, What’s Your Hurry? — a comedy adapted from the short story by National Book Award-nominee Elizabeth McCracken. Performances are scheduled for Friday-Sunday, January 5-7 at 8:00PM, with a special matinee on Saturday, January 6 at 3:00PM.

“Our cast and creative team are thrilled to have the chance to put Eric’s last play on its feet,” said Stephen Kitsakos, the play’s director. “Combined with his wicked and subtle humor, Eric’s skill as a playwright helped develop the characters from McCracken’s short story beautifully, giving them a complexity and depth that works perfectly for the stage.”

The play introduces audiences to the delightful Aunt Helen Beck, portrayed onstage by Kitty Clements. A woman of a certain age, Aunt Helen Beck arrives in Puget Sound and lands unexpectedly on the doorstep of her great-nephew, Ford Mayweather and his wife Chris. Aunt Helen Beck’s meddling quickly makes mischief for all, including the Mayweather’s neighbor, a neglected little boy named Mercury.

“Weinberger’s Aunt Helen Beck is endearing; she’s imbued with a mix of elements and eccentricities that will stay with audiences long after the curtain goes down,” says Kitsakos. “She’s reminiscent of such beloved characters as Auntie Mame, Miss Jane Marple and the live-in maid from 1960’s television, Hazel the Maid.”

Kitty Clements last appeared on The Studios’ stage last year as Mother Superior in Fringe’s production of Agnes of God. Joining her onstage as Ford is Joseph Mitchell, who recently appeared in The Apple Falls. His wife Chris will be played by Morgan Fraga, who also appeared last year in Agnes of God. Rounding out the cast is young actor Jake Ferguson who was last onstage in Waterfront Playhouse’s production of Terrence McNally’s mothers and sons.

Director Stephen Kitsakos is a theatre writer, librettist and stage director, and has been an artistic associate at The Studios for a number of years. He was recently nominated Vice President of the Board of Directors of The Studios, and recently directed Agnes of God and The Unseen in Key West.

A prolific playwright, Eric Weinberger’s previous plays have included A Dog Story at The Waterfront Playhouse, co-written with Gayla Morgan, and also Off-Broadway at the Davenport Theater, Wanda’s World for AMAS, I Love Ethel, the Vivian Vance Story as well as And Then I Wrote A Song About It, both for The Red Barn. He received a Drama Desk nomination for Wanda’s World as well as his Class Mothers ’68 starring Priscilla Lopez.

“In addition to being a talented playwright, Eric was simply a sweet and delightful man.” Kitsakos continues. “So many in Key West, as well as in New York City where many of Eric’s plays were performed Off-Broadway, were affected by the generosity and kindness of his spirit.”

Weinberger died in May 2017. His husband, Stephen Sagman established the Eric H. Weinberger

Emerging Playwright Scholarship Award in his memory. It will be administered by the Tony-

Award winning AMAS Musical Theater Company.

Here’s Your Hat… is supported by a grant from the Anne McKee Artists Fund, and is sponsored by Royal Furniture. Tickets are $55 for VIP seating, $38 General Admission and $30 for Studios’ members and can be purchased at The Studios of Key West’s box office, 305-296-0458, or online at www.tskw.org.

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