THE LITTLE FOXES Begins Performances at Florida Rep Tonight

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of Lillian Hellman's electrifying and powerful drama, The Little Foxes, a story of one family's greed, playing Jan 4-26 with discounted previews tonight, Jan. 1, 2 and 3.

This milestone in modern drama - made famous by the 1940 film starring Bette Davis - is an American classic as timely today as it was seven decades ago.

"It is a wonderful pleasure for us to bring a great American classic like this one to life for our audiences," said Producing Artistic Director Robert Cacioppo. "This play is a uniquely American story, and like past hits, You Can't Take It with You, The Rainmaker and Inherit the Wind, even though it is a snapshot of our history, it couldn't be more timely or more relevant. The Little Foxes is riveting, it's electrifying, it's breathtaking, and even chilling at times. This play is one you must see."

The Little Foxes is the story of one family's greed, deception and betrayal, and has been thrilling audiences for over seven decades. The story follows the Hubbards, a wealthy turn-of-the-century Southern family, as they try to outwit and outmaneuver one another in a dangerous game of fiscal gluttony and familial corruption.

The production features an all-star lineup of Florida Rep ensemble members and artists making their Florida Rep debuts. Seen recently in 2011's acclaimed production of August: Osage County, Sara Morsey returns to star as the tenacious Regina Giddens. Craig Bockhorn, seen as Saunders in the season's hit opener Lend Me a Tenor and last season's nationally acclaimed production of God of Carnage, plays Regina's ailing husband, Horace. Peter Thomasson (Camping with Henry and Tom; Black Tie) and Mark Chambers (Tru; The Mystery of Irma Vep) star as the two greedy Hubbard brothers, Benjamin and Oscar, and Carrie Lund (Lend Me a Tenor; Rumors) plays Birdie Hubbard, Oscar's timid and troubled wife.

Florida Rep acting interns Lindsay Clemmons (Lend Me a Tenor) and Brian Hatch (Camping with Henry and Tom) appear as the youngest members of the Hubbard family, cousins Alexandra Giddens and Leo Hubbard. Also returning to the Florida Rep stage are Patricia Idlette and Dick Boyd. Idlette, a Canadian actress now making her home in SWFL, returns after her 2008 appearance in Doubt, while Boyd was last seen in 2010's You Can't Take It with You. Darrick Penny makes his Florida Rep debut after recently finishing his Master's Degree with Florida Atlantic University.

Florida Rep ensemble member and guest director, Maureen Heffernan, directs. Her work with Florida Rep includes two of Florida Rep's recent nationally acclaimed productions: Sylvia in 2011 and Dancing at Lughnasa in 2009, as well as The Year of Magical Thinking, Opus, Doubt, Rabbit Hole, Art, Master Class and All My Sons. Over the past 26 years, Maureen has earned increasing recognition for her directing abilities that include more than 80 professional theatrical productions nationally.

Heffernan is joined by an expert team of ensemble designers and Florida Rep veterans including set designer Ray Recht (Black Tie), lighting designer David M. Upton (Camping with Henry and Tom), costume designer Roberta Malcolm (Red), sound designer Kate Smith (Talley's Folly) and production stage manager Amy L. Massari (Lend Me a Tenor).

Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes plays Jan. 4 - 26, with three nearly sold out preview performances tonight, Jan. 1 and Jan 2 and 3. Regular performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays at 2pm, plus a 7pm twilight performance on Sun., Jan. 6.

Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at floridarep.org. Subscribe now for the best seats and biggest savings; packages start as low as $100 for 5 shows. Single tickets are priced at $45 and $40, and $25 for discounted previews.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry Streets with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District.

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