New York Actress with San Diego roots returns to perform at the 2006 Actors Alliance Festival of Short Plays

July 9, 2006- SAN DIEGO, CA- Erin Cronican returns to San Diego to perform in a one-woman show entitled “The Manager,” written by James Anthony Ellis. Inspired by the overworked minds of codependents everywhere, Sarah (Cronican) finds herself in a tough situation: home alone, hungry, wondering what her man is up to and the biggest quandary of all: how to have a relationship … with herself.

This piece was conceived over cookies and drinks during the winter holiday in 2005. After laughing about several relationship blunders, Ellis and Cronican were left with two burning questions: How could a relationship that is seemingly going so well get so completely sidetracked by a misunderstanding? And why do we, as humans, feel the need to control everything, even to the point of managing both parts of a relationship and, ultimately, ruining them? The answer is this touching, often hilarious peek into the codependent mind.

This is the third collaboration by Cronican and Ellis – the first, “The Tree of Life” – was awarded “Outstanding Ensemble” in the 2003 Actors Alliance Festival. More recently at the 2005 Actors Alliance Festival, Cronican appeared in Ellis’ “Pieces” which was based on true-life experiences for both the playwright and actor. Cronican was, again, awarded a Best of the Fest award, this time for Outstanding Performance for her role as Victoria.

"It is such a joy to be able to have Erin come back to San Diego and be a part of a festival that she herself helped build into such a success," said Ellis. "Her level of professionalism and commitment and sheer acting talent has been missed here. But now we get her back!" When asked about working with Ellis again, Cronican glibly replied, “Finally, I get to do a comedy.” On a more serious note, she said, “Jim has an amazing ability to write complex and true-to-life female characters. He taps into the psyche to find out what really makes people tick, which creates a compelling piece of theatre for artists and audiences alike.”

Erin Cronican currently resides in New York City, where she recently shot the short films “The Other Woman” and “Stripped.” She also regularly appears in workshop readings with The Amoeba Group and the Charles Maryan Playwrights Workshop at the Neighborhood Playhouse. San Diego credits include “The Last Five Years” at NCRT, “Oxygen” at the San Diego Rep, “Angels in America” at Diversionary Theatre and her hit cabarets “Thank You, Next” and “The Callback” at Schroeder’s Club and Cabaret. She is currently directing a world premiere play at the Midtown International Theatre Festival, playing through August 8 in New York City. Learn more about her at www.erincronican.com.

James Anthony Ellis is a San Diego playwright/producer/film editor with four books, a dozen plays and five films to his credit. This is his seventh consecutive year producing and writing for the Festival. Details about his endeavors can be found at www.legacyproductions.org.

The Actors Alliance of San Diego is a non-profit, membership-based service organization dedicated to the advancement, exposure and education of the San Diego theatre artist and the enhancement of the community through the medium of theatre. The Festival is one of the featured services the Actors Alliance performs for its membership by helping to develop career-enhancing material as well as engage a public hungry for a live connection.

What: “The Manager” playing at the 2006 Actors Alliance Festival of Short Plays
Where: Lyceum Space Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown San Diego
When: July 25 & 28, 2006 (7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: $18 General; $15 Student, Senior, Military; $16 Group Rate Available
Reserve: Call the Lyceum Box Office at (619) 544-1000