Worthington Players presents Terrence McNally’s acclaimed 1991 comedy-drama LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART, this weekend at the Shawnee Playhouse. Performances are Friday January 25 at 8:00 pm, Saturday January 26 at 8:00 pm, and Sunday January 27 at 2:00 pm.

This comic and incisive portrait of modem America is considered to be among the most ambitious and accomplished works by Terrence McNally, one of the leading American dramatists still writing today. On the elegant deck of a beach house on Fire Island, a brother and sister and their spouses attempt to celebrate the Fourth of July. Through diversions of food, show tunes, crossword puzzles, and charades, the four attempt to find the meaning in their lives and loves. But as the complexities of their intermingled relationships come to light in monologues unheard by the others, they reveal a desperate sense of individual isolation.

“I saw this wonderful play in its original NY production in 1991, and after all these years, I am still amazed by its honesty and raw power,” says director Rob Ramos. “McNally deals with some powerful issues — including infidelity, life-threatening illness, and even AIDS in the early days of the pandemic — with astonishing humor and optimism. Despite these themes, it is one of the funniest and most hopeful plays I have ever seen. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this extraordinary piece of work to the Poconos for the very first time.”

LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART opened to great critical acclaim at New York’s Manhattan Theatre Club in May 1991, and enjoyed a successful commercial run. The original production starred Nathan Lane, Swoosie Kurtz, Anthony Heald, and Christine Baranski.

The Shawnee Playhouse Winter Season continues with the romantic classic LOVE LETTERS in February and the Tony Award winning Broadway hit PRELUDE TO A KISS in March.

For tickets or more information please call the Shawnee Playhouse Box Office at 570-421-5093 or visit www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.