Sarasota, Florida (December 8, 2005) – The Asolo Theatre Company is pleased to announce its upcoming production of Trying, written by the award winning playwright Joanna McClelland Glass. The play is an autobiographical story of her working relationship as a young Canadian woman from Saskatoon with Judge Francis Biddle, former attorney general of the United States under FDR. Running from January 6 – April 8, 2006, the play is directed by Isa Thomas, with scenic design by Ray Recht and costume design by Michele Macadaeg, and features David S. Howard as Biddle and Deanna Gibson as Sarah. Presented in the Asolo’s Mertz Theatre at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

The play is set in 81-year-old Biddle’s office overtop his garage in Georgetown. 25-year-old Sarah Schorr is hired as Biddle's secretary. All of his previous ones have quit because he is so cantankerous. One of the first things Biddle tells Sarah is to locate the bathroom because, “like all the others, you'll go there to cry.” But the brilliant legal mind falls short as a judge of character when the abrasive Biddle underestimates Sarah's resolve, tolerance and competency.

Trying premiered at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago in March 2004. Other productions scheduled in the U.S. and Canada through March 2006 include runs at the Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles), Fords Theatre (Washington, D.C.) and CanStage (Toronto).Called “comic and touching” by the New York Times and “exquisitely literate” by Variety, the play has been a huge hit with both audiences and critics. Glass's script is a winner.

“Trying is a portrait of generational reconciliation. It is enormously bracing theatre.” – New York Daily News

“The script is glittering, diamond-hard. Magnificently eloquent. A masterpiece of theatrical portraiture.” – Chicago Sun Times

The preview performances for Trying are at 8PM on January 4 and 5, 2006. The play opens Friday, January 6 at 8PM and runs through April 8, 2006. Opening night performance is followed by a complementary champagne and “mingle with the stars” reception.

Additionally, Trying playwright Joanna McClelland Glass will make a special appearance to share the story of her script as it made its way from real life to the stage, and the artistic process from the playwright’s perspective during an Asolo Act One! lecture in the Mertz Theatre on January 8, 2006 at 7:00 PM. Lecture tickets are $10. Ticket prices for the play are from $16 to $48, depending on the performance day and time, with special discounts for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more. Call 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or order online at www.asolo.org.

TICKETS          $16 to $48 (additional discounts available for children and students)