Jimmy Ferraro's STUDIO THEATRE to Open World Premiere Musical/Comedy, COUPLED

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - After a critically acclaimed SOLD-OUT run of the inaugural production of "CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES", Jimmy Ferraro's STUDIO THEATRE, 5732 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL presents the second production of the Summer Season, the World Premier Musical/Comedy "COUPLED", with book, music and lyrics by Brooksville resident DIANA ROGERS.

Opening Night is July 18 and the production runs weekends through August 10, 2014.

Performance Schedule:
Friday and Saturday evenings: Doors open at 7:00 pm / show at 7:30 pm

Sunday matinees: Doors open at 1:30 pm / show at 2:00 PM

Tickets $23.36 plus tax

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Call: 727-409-0293

"COUPLED" is a comedic musical revolving around 3 couples. who have been close friends for years and who once a year go on vacation together. It's a musical/comedy romp about friendships and long term relationships. The hilarious musical numbers include, "Middle Age Lament", "Bathroom Samba", "Channel Surfing", "Help Me, Oprah" and more...

Setting: Present day at the Grand opening of the New Millennium Oasis Resort-PGA Golf Course

"COUPLED" will be presented in 2 acts with a 15 minute intermission.

Award winning, Producing Artistic Director Jimmy Ferraro, is directing the STUDIO THEATRE production of "COUPLED". Chelle' St. Pierre is Choreographer and Musical Directior is Marvin Lovett.

"COUPLED" stars Broadway veterans DIANA ROGERS (Donna), and DEE ETTA ROWE (Maggie), with JESSICA VIRGINIA (Lexi), PETE CLAPSIS (Bill), RICK FAUROTE (Jack) and BRANDON MAURO (Daniel).

Diana Rogers (Donna) Diana is thrilled to be back onstage and especially to be performing in the premiere of COUPLED. Credits include Broadway and National Tour as Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Always Patsy Cline - Louise, Midwest Premiere PHANTOM -Carlotta, Iowa Housewife and Soap Star Menopause the Musical, Mother Superior NUNSENSE, Miss Mona Best Little Whorehouse, Mag -Beauty Queen of Leenane, Nat - Rabbit Hole, Truvy - Steel Magnolias, Nurse- Romeo and Juliet, Reno - Anything Goes. Special thanks to Auntie Marge, Heather, Ryan, Donna, David, John, Jimmy Ferraro and all my friends who believed in me. Follow your dreams!

Dee Etta Rowe (Maggie) Dee Etta received critical acclaim as the wacky, farmer's wife, "Mavis" in Jimmy Ferraro's STUDIO THEATRE's opening production of "CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES". She starred as Golde, in the 2012 National Tour of "Fiddler on the Roof", opposite her husband, Broadway actor, Jimmy Ferraro. She was seen allove rthe country for 8 years in "Menopause the Musical",as both the Iowa Housewife and Earth Mother. BROADWAY debut:"The Most Happy Fella" starring Georgio Tozzi. Dee Etta created the role of Olga Von Sturm on Broadway in "Nine" opposite Raul Julia, Bert Convey, and Sergio Franchi. Off Broadway:"What's New" with Nathan Lane. National Tours: Sweeney Todd" with Angela Landsbury and George Hearn,"Showboat", with Eddie Bracken and Lanie Kazan and "The Sound of Music" with Ann Blythe, Sally Ann Howes, and Patrice Munsel.Regional: starring roles in many productions including: "Nunsense" and "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas", Miss. Hannigan -"Annie", La Carlotta - "PHANTOM", Ethel Banks - "Barefoot in the Park" and Essie Rubin - "A Majority of One" opposite Mimi Hines.

Production Stage Manager/ Lighting Designer, MISTY HORNSBY. Set Design by KEITH SNYDER, Costume Design by MYNDEE FLEURY WASHINGTON, Sound Design by RUSS HORNSBY.

A WORD FROM PLAYWRIGHT, DIANA ROGERS -

Broadway actress Diana Rogers never dreamed of writing her own musical. When she came to Florida in 2000 to help with ailing parents she took a full time job teaching drama with occasional acting jobs. . She missed the creative side of rehearsals and performing and decided to write a musical.

"COUPLED " was derived from a musical originally called the First 25, and then COUPLED which was to be a "jukebox" musical. After a visit to the lawyer, the dream had to be put on hold after finding out how expensive it would be to obtain royalty rights..

A student jokingly said why don't you write a musical with your own music. So she did and I.S.S. The Musical was created. Diana created the music and local musician Marvin Lovett did the arrangements. A year after writing ISS THE MUSICAL she wrote another children's musical LESSONS FROM A WAYSIDE CAMPGROUND which was performed at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Diana then returned to writing the music and reworking the script of COUPLED. "Believe it or not," said Rogers, "I was far more nervous about presenting my musicals ISS and LESSONS than I ever was performing. I was reminded of that great moment in BACK TO THE FUTURE when Marty asks his father why he never let anyone read his work and he responded...What if they didn't like it? What if they said it was no good? I don't think I could take it.

COUPLED is a comic look at long term relationships, friendship and marriage. Don't look for Diana in the audience opening night, she won't be there. If you want to see Diana look up on the stage, she'll be playing the role of Donna.

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