For Immediate Release
February 19, 2008



The Jefferson Performing Arts Society is proud to present the regional premiere of WILD MUSHROOMS, A New Comedy by Annie Pie on stage March 6-22 at the Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM and Sunday at 2PM. Veteran actor/producer/director of stage, film and television, T.J. Castronovo directs a cast of local talent in this hilarious mafia comedy.

Tickets are $26 for adults, $23 for seniors and military, $19 for students (with valid ID) and $12 for children (12 and under). Before every Sunday performance there is a Champagne Brunch in Teatro Wego!, $15/per person. $8 for children (12 and under). Advance reservations required. Call 504.885.2000 or visit www.jpas.org to reserve your tickets or make reservations for the Champagne Brunch today!
This new comedy set in the Bronx, revolves around the Scrivente family, as seen through the eyes of thirteen year-old Joey Scrivente. Joey's father, Benny, is a widowed postal worker struggling to raise Joey and his two daughters, Dodie and Regina. Proud of her father's cooking, Dodie unwittingly invites the Mafia over for a family Sunday dinner. It's crazy, clairvoyant Aunt Rose's unorthodox hors d'oeuvres that pack an unexpected wallop leading to comedic mayhem for this Italian family! This hilarious new comedy is sure to have you rolling in the aisles!

Dane Rhodes (middle) stars as Benny Scrivente, the head of this Italian household. A well known figure in the New Orleans theater community, Rhodes recently finished directing OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS and THE ARMSTRONG HOTEL at Rivertown Rep. His latest work with JPAS includes directing last season's productions of THE QUEEN OF BINGO and JOEY AND MARY'S IRISH ITALIAN WEDDING. Past acclaimed roles include Dave Bukatinsky in THE FULL MONTY.

pictured left, from L to R: The Scrivente Family: Regina Scrivente (Angie Joachim), Benny Scrivente (Dane Rhodes) and Dodie Scrivente (Lynne Lawrence)




Janet Shea (left) stars as eccentric Aunt Rose. WILD MUSHROOMS marks Janet Shea's third time working with JPAS this season, although she is a veteran of the JPAS stages. She recently appeared as Mrs. Potts in the JPAS Production of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and directed this season's family holiday hit, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. 

pictured left: Angelo Pecorino (Earl Scioneaux) talks up eccentric Aunt Rose (Janet Shea) in WILD MUSHROOMS.











Starring as the young insightful Joey Scrivente is Dominic Lloyd. Dominick was last seen on the JPAS stages in OVER THE TAVERN as Georgie. Although the youngest member of the cast, Dominick has performed at several theaters throughout the New Orleans are including Rivertown Rep and Le Petit Theatre. Favorite roles include Nathan Lukowski in Le Petit's THE FULL MONTY, Jerome in Rivertown's SOUTH PACIFIC and Peter Pan with the Storyland Players in City Park.

pictured left: Benny Scrivente (Dane Rhodes) gives his son Joey (Dominic Lloyd) some fatherly advice.

Playing the Scrivente daughters is Lynne Lawrence as Dodie Scrivente, Angie Joachim as Regina Scrivente. They are joined by Lenny Minutillo as Mario, Earl Scioneaux as Angelo Pecorino, Jason Kirkpatrick as Eviel and Joe Bonelli as "The Don."







JPAS is proud to collaborate with director T.J. Castronovo (left) for this regional premiere. Castronovo is a veteran actor, producer and director. As an actor, he performed in over one hundred TV shows and for three years played Tommy the Bartender in "Taxi". As a television and film producer, his work includes: episodes of the series, "Tales From The Darkside" and the CBS series "Police Brass;" the feature films "Double Revenge" and "The Shipment;" and most recently, "The Boiler Maker."

Castronovo received the Drama League Critics Award for directing  "Brooklyn USA" at the Actor's Forum Theater. Other directorial credits of stage and film include: the feature film "TheBiz;" several episodes of "Tales From the Darkside;" and the off-Broadway world premiere production of "Wild Mushrooms." Recently, his production company, CRC Entertainment, produced "Viagara Falls", a new hit comedy that is currently touring the United States and Canada.
 
WILD MUSHROOMS, A New Comedy By Annie Pie. Directed by T.J. Castronovo. Costumes by Kelly James Penot and Laura E. Jordan. Lighting Design by Ryan Hauenstein. Sound Design by Kristen Carrier. Props by Joshua J. Tiska. Acting Technical Director: Daniel Graham. Master Carpenter: Elizabeth Broomall. Stage Manager: Claire Van Cott.

More about Jefferson Performing Arts Society:
The Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit arts organization founded by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham dedicated to artistic and cultural enrichment for the Gulf South since 1978. Our mission is to support, produce and promote the performing arts in Jefferson and its surrounding areas. www.jpas.org