New Comedy Opens at the Ruskin:

That May Well Be True, a comedy by Jay Reiss about two friends who reunite after 15 years over a dispute about which of the men really came up with the story for a critically acclaimed novel, will open at Ruskin Group Theater on Friday, February 10.The play was commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club. Reiss, a graduate of the Juilliard School’s playwriting program, has written several plays but is best-known as one of the creators of the Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Reiss also appeared in the Broadway hit, though he had no acting experience. That May Well Be True is directed by Paul Linke and features Markus Flanagan, Robert Ganzos and Kristina Lear.Linke recently directed Caterpillar Soup. An actor for more than 30 years, Linke has been seen in such feature films as Motel Hell, Grand Theft Auto, and Parenthood, and had a regular role on the NBC-TV series “ChiPs.” The founder and original artistic director of the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica, he recently directed Ben Gazzara in the one-man play Nobody Don’t Like Yogi off-Broadway at The Lambs Theatre. He also directed Charles Nelson Reilly’s one-man show Save it for the Stage. He is the author and performer of Time Flies When You’re Alive, which played at Ruskin in 2004 and has been done throughout the country. Flanagan has extensive stage credits, and on television is currently a series regular on Unfabulous. He has also appeared on such TV series as “Will and Grace,” “The Practice,” “CSI Miami,” “Friends,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” His film credits include Biloxi Blues, Born on the Fourth of July, and the upcoming Loving Annabelle.Ganzos also has extensive theater credits, at Ruskin and on other stages, including appearances in The Grapes of Wrath, Wonder of the World, and Full Court Press. He won a Drama-Logue Award for his role in Hunting Humans. His film credits include The Man Who Invented the Moon, To Protect and Serve, The Glass Cage and the soon-to-be-released Soldier of God.Lear’s many stage credits include Circle Rep, Soho Rep and Rattlestick Productions in New York. On film, she can be seen in Night Falls on Manhattan, Rose, and Memorial Day, among others. Her television shows include “Party of Five,” “Judging Amy” and “Desperate Housewives.”In addition to its eclectic mix of plays, Ruskin Group Thester It is also known for its monthly L.A. Café Plays, which are done in 10 1/2 hours from conception to staging, and its recently launched “Something New @ 2” series, which features workshop productions of new plays.That May Well Be True will run through April 1 at Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Drive at Santa Monica Airport. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.Tickets are $20 general and $15 for students and senior citizens. Call (310) 397-3244 or go to http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. (see related story, this page)