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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A Couple of Blaguards Breaks ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Managing Director Lee Manwaring Lowry and Artistic Director Kenneth Noel Mitchell announced today that the current American Stage production of A Couple of Blaguards has generated record-breaking revenue for the theatre. A Couple of Blaguards, a play by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt, and his brother, New York Times best-selling author Malachy McCourt, opened at American Stage on May 11, 2001. Due to the overwhelming demand for tickets, the production was extended for an entire week, and will close on Sunday, June 10. A Couple of Blaguards surpassed the previous American Stage box office record-holder, the 1997 production of Dracula, last week. Managing Director Lee Manwaring Lowry commented, "Our ticket sales have really gone through the roof for this show, breaking all-time Mainstage single ticket sales. I am thrilled to see that the art of theatre is alive and well in St. Petersburg, even during the supposedly slow summer months." Artistic Director Kenneth Noel Mitchell believes the success of A Couple of Blaguards can be attributed, in large part, to its subject matter. "I think it is incredible to see the community of St. Petersburg embrace a show that deals with a specific culture. But although Blaguards is an examination of the McCourt brothers’ Irish heritage, its themes of family are so universal that it touches everyone, and the attendance proves that." A Couple of Blaguards runs until June 10, 2001. Show times are as follows: Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 7 at 7:30 P.M.; Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at 8:00 P.M.; and Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 at 3:00 P.M. Ticket prices are $24 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings; $28 on Friday and Saturday evenings; and $20 for all matinees. For more information, please call the American Stage Box Office at 727/823-PLAY. American Stage is located at 211 3rd Street South in downtown St. Petersburg. American Stage is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. Its mission is to reveal and celebrate the hearts and minds of the people of our community by exploring the human condition through live professional theatre. Now in its 22nd Anniversary season, American Stage presents five plays on its 135-seat capacity Mainstage each year. The theatre’s other programming includes: a three-play Theatre For Families season, including the SchoolTour production; classes for children and adults; and a summer camp for children. New Visions, a program introduced in 1995, presents the latest inspirations by contemporary playwrights. Contact: Jennifer Silva |