Maryland Ensemble Theatre Presents TRUTHPASTE: A BLOTTO BIOGRAPHY, 3/15-23

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will present the original one man show TruthPaste: A Blotto Biography. The show, created by and starring MET Artistic Director Tad Janes, will "feature stories that are funny, provocative, endearing, quizzical, odd, enjoyable, entertaining, and true." TruthPaste will make its World Premiere with a four show run in March on the MET stage.

"This is a project that was born out of snow. The dual blizzards, in December of 2010 then in February of 2011 gave me cabin fever, and as we were snowed in with 26 inches of snow, I began to write", said Janes about the origins of the piece. "I've been mulling over trying to create a solo show for a while. I am always drawn to plays where I get to play multiple characters. I've always been a fan of Eric Bogosian, Whoopie Goldberg, and John Leguizamo and their solo shows; and the MET has housed Susan Mele and her one woman improv shows where she would improvise monologues. Then, after seeing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind in DC on New Year's Eve of 2010 - a show where they claim that all of their plays/sketches are build from each persons true to life experiences, my inspiration was complete." Janes' then followed through on that initial spark of inspiration. "Then, on that snow bound February day, all of these ideas began to seep out onto the page. I began to create character monologues based on real life stories from friends and my life. Also, I've been writing songs since before college, and lots of comedy songs through the Comedy Pigs, so, I wanted to include some songs, sung by characters, in this piece as well."

The show is being directed by Maryland Ensemble Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Gené Fouché. In addition to Fouché's years of experience as an actor and director she is also related to Janes by marriage so she is able to bring a familiarity with some of the characters to the process that few others could. "Tad and I have done many shows together, so working together is comfortable", said Fouché. "This show, however, is completely his baby so I'm just trying to stay out of his way. I've heard many of the stories that he tells in his show several times over the years, and they never fail to make me laugh out loud. He's a funny guy with very funny experiences and a gift for storytelling -- the show is hilarious!"

Janes concluded, "if I've done my job, the audience will see multiple characters and true-to-life stories from my life onstage with a huge comic bend!" With The Combined talents of Fouché and Janes audience members should be confident that the show will do its job and entertain and amuse.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present TruthPaste: A Blotto Biography as part of its MET-X series, created to expand the collective horizons of the MET ensemble and its audience. Performances are March 15-16 and 22-23 at 8pm at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (31 W Patrick St. Frederick) located in the historic FSK Hotel. Tickets are $16.50 (includes $1.50 service fee) and may be purchased by phone at (301) 694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org, or in person at the MET box office. The show is intended for mature audience only.

For over a decade, Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment with The Fun Company, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs. The MET is an artistic leader in the region and at the forefront of the creation of Frederick's Theater District.