'Breaking Legs' at the Florida Repertory Theatre

COURTESY PHOTO Brendan Powers and Diana Buirski. Breaking Legs" marks Florida Rep's first " revival, it was produced in the theatre's

inaugural season back in 1999.

"It was an amazing first season," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "But the one play that always stood out for me was 'Breaking Legs'."

The worlds of the mafia and the theatre collide in an Italian restaurant in this expertly crafted comic masterpiece. The meatballs hit the fan when a hapless college professorturned playwright unwittingly has his play produced by the mafia.

"Breaking Legs" stars Boston native, Brendan Powers and Florida Rep newcomer, Diana Buirski as an unlikely pair of lovers. Last seen in "Doubt," Powers plays the innocent playwright, while Buirski, a graduate of Brown University, and a regular at Trinity Rep in Providence, Rhode Island, plays Angie, the headstrong daughter of a mobster who's looking for love.

Also featured in the ensemble cast are Mark Chambers and Bob Del Pazzo, both seen last in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and local actor J. Mitchell Haley. Chambers is a familiar face at Florida Rep, having appeared in such plays as "The Rainmaker," "Enchanted April" and "Rounding Third," while Del Pazzo is new this season, appearing for the second time after a successful run in Forum. Haley runs his own advertising agency in Fort Myers, and has been seen at Florida Rep in "Fools," "Verinica's Room" and "I'm Not Rappaport," as well as on stages throughout Southwest Florida.

COURTESY PHOTO Bob Del Pazzo, Mark Chambers and John Felix in Breaking Legs The cast also includes John Felix ("Greetings!," "Moon Over Buffalo"), who has been a member of the Florida Rep ensemble since season one, and is the only cast member who appeared in Florida Rep's first production of "Breaking Legs" in 1999.

Cacioppo directs the production, and is joined by an expert team of designers including lighting designer, Todd O. Wren ("Doubt"), set designer, Sean McClelland ("Moon Over Buffalo"), resident costumer, Roberta Malcolm and resident sound designer, Eric Watkins.

"Breaking Legs" by Tom Dulack plays at Florida Rep from March 28 through April 20. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, Sunday and selected Saturdays. A Twilight Performance is set for 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.

Tickets are now available online at www. floridarep.org/boxoffice.

Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239.332.4488), or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

If you go

>>What: "Breaking Legs"

>>When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 28 through Sunday April 20

>>Where: Florida Repertory Theatre on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District

>>Cost: $38, $34 and $17

>>Information: Tickets are available through the box office (239) 332-4488, or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org