Dark Comedy With Social Message Presented By LAB Theater Project

TAMPA, FL ? Surrounding themes of family, elderly care, homelessness and unintentional prejudices, LAB Theater Project will present its production of David Zarko?s "SOUP," a dark comedy running Feb. 24 through March 13, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at 812 E Henderson Ave. in Ybor City.

There are options for viewing in person and by livestream. On-Demand viewing will also be available March 10-24.

Written by David Zarko and directed by Kara Gold-Harris, "SOUP" features local actors Mary Kay Cyrus, Suzy Duic, Pamela Wilson-Caruthers, Robert Dox and John D. Hooper.

The set design is by Owen Robertson, with set dressing, scenic artistry and props by Beth Tepe-Robertson. Lighting design is by Kristy Pike, sound design by Jonah Robertson and costume design by Lara Jackson. The livestream is by Kara Gold LLC.

?'SOUP' is about the unifying force that sitting down to a meal can be, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, heritage, language, religion, sexuality, or anything else you might think of that would usually divide us," Gold said. "In sickness, a good bowl of soup may not heal us, but it can warm us, body and soul, even if only for a brief moment. These last few years, the world has been sick. We continue to suffer through a pandemic; we wake up to news of mass shootings, hostage situations, civilian casualties; we cower in fear of the next hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wildfire, tsunami. There?s no cure-all for these afflictions. They won?t go away overnight. All we can do is go 'once more unto the breach,? continue to fight the good fight, stand up for what we believe in, and live day by day. This play reminds us that sometimes sitting down to a home-cooked meal around the kitchen table can lead to more good than all of our breakneck efforts can ever hope to.?

In what seems like a perfect solution, Fran?s energetic friend, Isabel, brings Felicity in to take care of Fran when she is laid up with a broken foot. Alan, Fran?s serious-minded lawyer son, isn?t so sure about the arrangement, especially after it comes out that Felicity is homeless and has a checkered past. It?s up to Fran to bring the two of them together, in what her mother?s instincts tell her might work out to be a mutually beneficial relationship.

?This is the first time I have worked so closely with a playwright in bringing a new work to life. It has already been such an incredible learning experience," Gold said. "I am thrilled to be combining my responsibilities of the show?s direction and cinematography. This hybrid theater model has become a passion of mine due to the pandemic, and with this production, the full experience that I have been dreaming of for at-home viewers will finally come to fruition.?

Tickets are available for in-house seating and for livestreaming for specific performances. March 10 through 24, audiences can also enjoy "SOUP" on-demand. For the livestream and on-demand options, audience members will be emailed a link for home viewing.

LAB reserves the right to adjust the number of seats available in response to CDC guidance, to protect the health and wellbeing of audiences, cast and crew. LAB Theater Project wants patrons to feel safe coming to the theater. Full health and safety procedures may be found here

Tickets are $28 and are available online through LAB?s website. In-person tickets can only be purchased in advance, not at the door.

LAB Theater Project is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 production company that produces new works in the Tampa Bay community. The belief in a ?playwright first? focus is resolute and a core value of the company. Along with a focus on developing new works, LAB Theater Project also focuses on training new theater artists to join the growing theater community in Ybor and the Tampa Bay Area.

LAB?s production of local playwright Hector Melendez-Figueroa?s play, "The Wendy House," was awarded Best Play for 2021 in the Tampa Regional Awards through Broadway World.

The LAB Theater Project was named Critic?s Choice for Best New Theater Company in 2017 by Creative Loafing and received the 2018 50/50 Applause Award from the International Centre for Women Playwrights.