'Time and Ina Meyerhoff ' opens Oct. 9

COURTESY PHOTO Bill Taylor directs "Time and Ina Meyerhoff" at Theatre Conspiracy. Theatre Conspiracy presents the winner of its 11th annual New Play Contest, "Time and Ina Meyerhoff," Oct. 9-24. Written by Alan Brody, who teaches theater at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "Time and Ina Meyerhoff" is a bittersweet May- December romantic comedy that will appeal to all ages.

The play was one of 437 entries submitted from across the United States, Canada, England and France. Mr. Brody, a published author and playwright, will be attending the opening weekend, Oct. 9 and 10, to meet audience members and conduct a talkback session after each show. Theatre Conspiracy will host the audience to a champagne reception to honor Mr. Brody each night during the talk-back sessions.

The cast of four consists of local actors Joann Haley as Ina Meyerhoff, Michael Dunsworth as Frank Minetta, Rick Sebastian as Brian Meyerhoff and Robert Feigenblatt as Morty Grauman.

Directed by Bill Taylor, the show depicts the conflicts and humor that occur when a successful older woman falls in love with a younger man to the dismay and disapproval of her son who is the same age as his mother's new lover.

HALEY Theatre Conspiracy's annual play contest has grown significantly over the years, attracting thousands of entries from playwrights around the world.

"It's amazing to see the wide variety of work that is submitted to us each year," said Bill Taylor, Theatre Conspiracy's artistic director. "And sometimes it is very difficult to pick just one script as the winner but 'Time and Ina Meyerhoff' was by far our overall favorite and we are excited to have its world premiere here in Fort Myers."

Shows are scheduled for Oct. 9, 10,15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. with one matinee on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets for the show are $22 or $10 for students. Opening night will be a "pay what you will" performance with attendees deciding what they would like to pay at the door. Thursday nights are "buy one, get one half-off." Tickets are available by calling the box office at 936-3239.