Little Fish Theatre Announces ‘Pick of the Vine’ Lineup

Don Schlossman is understandably confused by Rodney Rincon in 'The Divine Visitation of Joe Pickelsimer,' by Micah McCoy, part of 'Pick of the Vine' 2013. (Photo: Mickey Elliot)

Little Fish Theatre’s annual Pick of the Vine series will kick-off its 12th season of nine one-act original plays this week.

The announcement coming just weeks after Little Fish Theatre set its main stage lineup for 2014.

Pick of the Vine will feature one-act plays ranging from five to 15 minutes in length, with most of the nine plays being performed for the first time in front of audience.

Little Fish Theatre, located at 777 Centre Street, is a 65-seat playhouse that was founded in 2002 by Lisa Coffi, who is also the producing artistic director.

“These nine plays are a theatrical sampling akin to flights of wine – delightful sips of comedy and drama that provide an opportunity to experience a wide range of unique stories in a single evening,” said Linda Ellison, director of print and social media.

Ellison went on to say that “in terms of dramatic variety and robust enjoyment, the selection of one-act plays Little Fish delivers in Pick of the Vine is remarkable.”

“Over the last several years the word has spread through the community about Pick of the Vine,” Ellison said. “As it has in the past three seasons, this production is expected to sell out most performances.”

According to Ellison, Little Fish Theatre received over 600 manuscripts for this year’s production.

“This year’s collection offers everything audiences have come to expect and love, from thought-provoking dramas to off-the-wall comedies that are the hallmark of Pick of the Vine,” Holly Baker-Kreiswirth and Bill Wolski, the husband-and-wife producing team said in a statement. “The roster includes a provocative exploration of the ramifications of a split-second decision, a timeless tale of love’s healing power, and a hilarious battle for supreme reign over the entire universe.”

There will be many recognizable faces on stage, Ellison said, including Holly Baker-Kreiswirth, Christina Desiere, Scott T. Finn, Rhiannon Franck-Thompson, Gloria Maxwell, Susie McCarthy, Gary Robbins, Perry Shields and Bill Wolski.

And directing this year’s plays will be James Rice (Present Laughter), Perry Shields and Danielle Ozymandias.

The production will run from January 10 through February 15.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.littlefishtheatre.org, by phone at 310-512-6030 or by text 424-226-6030. Popular packages of “Anytime Tickets” are available now and can be used at any Little Fish Theatre performance.

The 2014 program will consist of:

A Million Times Over by Molly Campbell

The Button Pushers by Ruben Carbajal

Romeo & Juliet: Act IV – The Gloomiest Peace by Ken Ferrigni

The Death of a Sale, Man by David Graham

Two Minutes of Heroism—a One Minute Play by Matt Hanf

The Milkman by M. J. Halberstadt

Obits by Romney Humphrey

The Ultimate Battle for Total Control of the Entire Universe by Rich Orloff

Man On Bridge With Book by Stan Peal