A NICE FAMILY GATHERING by Phil Olson

Directed by Nicky Anderton

Set in the Lundeen household somewhere in small town Minnesota, A NICE FAMILY GATHERING is a wonderful comedy that focuses on the angst-filled day of Carl (Johnny Gingell), a truck-driver journalist, whose only claim to fame is his slice-of-life column in the town's weekly local paper.  Not only must he deal with his mentally deteriorating mom (Sue Sparlin), his successful doctor older brother, Michael (Steven Charlton), and his life-intimidated younger sister, Stacy (Erin Miller), Carl is also being haunted by his deceased dad (Harry Seddon), a larger than life personality, dead for 10 months, who has some unfinished business to accomplish through his less than cooperative middle son. Michael, the upwardly mobile brother and his weepy wife Jill (Eby Luking) provide ongoing fodder for Carl's droll commentary, and Jerry (John Kevener), Dad's puckish golfing buddy only adds to the hilarity with his quirky and delightful personality.

Nicky Anderton,  is back in the Director's chair at Metro after directing last year's popular Affections of May. A NICE FAMILY GATHERING will open on Feb 27th, 2010, with a 2 for $24 preview on Fri, Feb 26th and will play Wed – Sat until March 27, 2010 with 8pm curtains.  There will be two 2pm Sunday matinees on March 7th and 21st.  Tickets $15/$18 and may be obtained by calling the Metro Box Office at 604 266-7191 at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC  V6P 5Z9