Playwright Erin Mallon Brings Comedy 'Skin Hungry' To Lab Theater Project Oct. 28

TAMPA, FL — LAB Theater Project will present the world premiere of "Skin Hungry" by playwright Erin Mallon, through Nov. 14 at 812 E. Henderson Ave. in Ybor City.

In "Skin Hungry," Mallon explores, through humor, the need to be loved, touched and, above all, connected to each other.

Directed by executive producer and founder of LAB Theater Project, Owen Robertson, and starring Roz Potenza, Darius Autry, Eddie Gomez and Haley Janeda, Mallon tells the story of Ruth, a 74-year-old woman, and Rowan, a 23-year-old man, and they are in love.

Jim, Ruth’s 43-year-old son, is freaking the hell out. Mallon explores what defines love Is it constrained by age? How do we move past guilt? And how do we find a way to touch and hold onto each other?

“Why this play? This play was to be LAB’s first comedy and the grand opening play in our new home on Henderson Avenue in April of 2020," Robertson said. "We had started rehearsals and everything and then March 13, 2020, happened, and it all shut down. I am so happy to bring this show to Tampa. We thought it was timely then but now, living in a pandemic, well, it feels even more so now.

"Using humor to explore how we handle deep feelings is a wonderful way to spend an evening," Roberston said. "Mallon has done an amazing job with her dialogue and her characters. I find them very present and alive. I see people I know within them, and that makes the humor even funnier. Also, as all great playwrights do, she slips in these moments of beautiful truth about our humanity and how to consider it, which imbues me with hope for us as a species. There is great humor; there is great depth. What is there not to love about 'Skin Hungry?'”

"Skin Hungry" is rated PG for parental guidance. There is some adult language and sexual innuendo that may not be appropriate for all ages.

Performance times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Shows are available via Livestream, in-house seating and on demand.

For the Livestream and on-demand online option, audience members will be emailed a link for home viewing the day of the performance.

LAB Theater gives special attention to the guidance coming from the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention regarding the spread of COVID-19. At this time, 40 seats will be made available per performance for the in-house option.

The house opens 30 minutes before curtain.

LAB reserves the right to adjust the number of seats available in response to CDC guidance to protect the health and wellbeing of our audiences, cast, and crew. 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.

Livestream tickets are available for specific performances from Oct. 28 to Nov. 7 only.

On-demand tickets can be purchased at anytime. The production can be viewed from Nov. 11 through Nov. 25. For tickets, click here.

LAB Theater Project is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 production company that produces new works in the Tampa Bay community. 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.