THEATRE + COMEDY

Brave Dog Theatre Company presents Reckless, by Craig Lucas. 

At home on an idyllic Christmas Eve, Rachel is brimming with the joy of the Season. A split second later, in fear for her life, she must escape through her bedroom window into the wintry night. What follows is Rachel’s hilarious journey from terror and insanity to love and acceptance on another, far-away Christmas Eve.

Along the way Rachel meets the Bophtelophtis, a couple with almost as many secrets as she has, the host of the inane talk show, “Your Mother or Your Wife!” an embezzling murderer, and a succession of psychiatrists (who may or may not help her.)

“Reckless” is the second production of Brave Dog Theatre Company. Brave Dog presented “Almost, Maine”, by Jon Cariani last February. “Almost, Maine” was both a financial and critical success, prompting Everett Evans of the Houston Chronicle to write: “Making its Houston premiere as the inaugural production of Brave Dog Players, John Cariani's romantic comedy proves clever, wistful, funny, sweet-natured and warm-hearted,” and John Demers of Houston Arts Week Houston to say: “thanks to the previously nonexistent Brave Dog Players, John Cariani’s “magical romantic comedy” isn’t just arriving in time for Valentine’s Day; it virtually is Valentine’s Day.”

The seven-member cast of “Reckless” will be headlined by Brave Dog founders Kim Tobin (“Speech and Debate”, “Almost Maine”) as Rachel, and Rick Silverman (“Fault Lines”, “Almost Maine”) as the TV Hosts. Joining the Brave Dog founders will be Kregg Dailey (“Doctor’s Dilemma”, “History of the World –Abridged”) as Lloyd Bophtelophti; Susan Draper (“On the Town”, “Tomfoolery”) as Pooty Bophtelophti; Zach Bruton (“Among the Thugs”) as Tom, Rachel’s husband; Julia Traber (director of “Greater Tuna” at Unity Theatre, and “Candide” at Classic Theatre Co.) as Trish; and Candice Meade (Producer, Writer, Director, and Actor in the independent film, “Don't Get Me Wrong”) as the psychiatrists.

Philip Lehl will direct “Reckless.” Philip is a Brave Dog founding member, and is known throughout the Houston arts community, having appeared as an actor numerous times at The Alley, Stages, TUTS, Main Street Theater, Horse Head Theatre, Classical Theatre Company, The Houston Symphony, Generations Theatre Co., Bayou City Concert Musicals and the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and having directed Brave Dog’s initial production, “Almost Maine.”

“We were looking for a title that was a Christmas play, but that would offer an antidote, or at least an alternative to the usual Christmas Carol/Nutcracker type fare,” says Silverman. Kim Tobin says: “Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my holidays than working with my friends on this wacky, Christmas romp.”

Brave Dog has assembled a talented crew to help realize the world that will become “Reckless.” Heading the team will be lighting designer Clint Allen (“The Farnsworth Invention”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll” at the Alley), costume designer Jodi Bobrovsky (“Tartuffe”, “Ghosts” at CTC, hundreds of scenic and costume designs at Stages), scenic designer Kevin Holden (“Among the Thugs,” “Fault Lines,” “Speech and Debate”) and composer/sound designer Chip Schneider.

“Reckless” will be performed at the Wild Fish Theatre, 1703E Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056 (Post Oak at San Felipe), from December 2, through December 19. Performances will be Thursday through Saturday evenings, with Sunday matinees. There will also be one Monday evening performance on December 13.

Tickets to Reckless are $25, with a $10 student rate. The Monday, December 13 performance will be Pay What You Can. Tickets can be bought through the Brave Dog website, www.bravedogplayers.com  (starting in November) or at the door.

Sharp eyes might note that the fourth Brave Dog founder, Georgi Silverman is not appearing in “Reckless.” She will have an active hand in producing, but will also be concerned with tending to the Silverman family’s newest addition, Ned, who was born in August.

For more information, please log on to www.bravedogplayers.com.