Actor's

Express is known for doing experimental theater.

The group

works with both well known and lesser known playwrights,

readying their works for a higher level and a bigger

audience. In the past, plays have progressed from the

King Plow Arts Center, where Actor's Express is based, to

off-Broadway and Broadway.

The next

play that will be produced under the warm wing of Actor's

Express is Robert Schenkkan's "Handler."

The play is

about the Holiness Way sect of snake handlers and deals

with the power of faith, loss and love. Snake handlers

handle poisonous snakes during religious ceremonies to

illustrate and reflect the power of God on their lives.

The characters in the play seek signs that their lives

are going in the right direction, often not realizing

that the signs are all around them.

"Handler"

is Schenkkan's first full-length play since winning the

Pulitzer Prize for "The Kentucky Cycle." As a

member of the New Dramatists, Schenkkan frequently works

with smaller groups, while workshopping his new plays.

Schenkkan

was born in Chapel Hill, N.C. and graduated Phi Beta

Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas in

Austin. His play "The Kentucky Cycle" achieved

great success. Telling the story of a family over several

generations, the play was made into a film for HBO by

Kevin Costner.

"Handler"

will be presented at Actor's Express Jan. 20 to March 4.

The play does have adult situations and content and

should be viewed as a PG-13 production.

Showtimes

are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 7

p.m. Sundays. There will be two matinees during the

play's run Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. The time of the matinee is

at 2 p.m. and there will be no evening performance on

those days.

For ticket

information, phone 404-607-SHOW.

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