Aspie Works will kick off the 2014 theatrical year with two exciting shows: the staged reading of a brand-new play and the debut monologue from a legendary storyteller!

January 10 presents Kind Souls Chasing, a new two-character dramedy from Aspie Works founder Justin Rielly.  On the eve of his full-length debut, playwright Matt Bennett is reflecting on the woman who inspired it, his friend Ophelia Jacobs.  The play follows Matt and Ophelia’s friendship, from their high school days to their reunion in a local theater group. 

Rielly directs this staged reading of his work, starring acclaimed actors Carl Girard and Marcy Savastano as Matt and Ophelia.  The show begins at 7:30pm at the MuCCC (142 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester), and is a “pay-what-you-can” presentation. 

On January 12, Rielly marks the tenth anniversary of the death of acclaimed actor-monologist Spalding Gray with a staged reading of Gray’s debut work Sex and Death to the Age 14.  This monologue, first presented in 1979, had Gray recounting tales of his growing up in a Christian Scientist family in Rhode Island during the 1940s and 1950s. 

This monologue elevated Gray to becoming one of theater’s most dynamic storytellers, leading to other hallmark works as Swimming to Cambodia and Gray’s Anatomy.  He also created the talking piece Interviewing the Audience, performed by Rielly at the Rochester Fringe Festival this past September.  Rielly stars and directs this one-man production, to be presented at 7:00pm on January 12 at the MuCCC.  Tickets are $5 for this event. 

Both shows contain mature language and/or content, and are not suitable for all audiences. 

For more information on these shows and on Aspie Works, follow this page on Tumblr or visit the company on Facebook and Twitter – and stay tuned for the soon-to-be-launched AspieWorks.com!