A fast-paced comedy about marriage and murder is the newest play at Pintello Comedy Theater. “It’s witty, it’s quick, and it’s very funny,” says director Marion Pintello. She and her husband Rod are hosting the fourth show of 2008, opening on Friday, November 7th and playing every weekend in November. In “Marriage Is Murder” ex-spouses Paul and Polly Butler have reunited to write one more murder novel – and they may kill each other in the process! Poisoned drinks, alibis, fingerprints, daggers and inflated egos all contribute to the hilarity. As they attempt to outdo and surprise each other, they learn that marriage, like murder, is in the details.

Written by Nick hall, “Marriage Is Murder” stars Heather Bass and Jayson Stebbins, both veterans of Pintello Comedy Theater stage productions. “We’re both very serious at rehearsals about learning lines and getting the scenes just right,” says Heather with a twinkle. “Then the comedy takes over and we can’t stop laughing! The roles are great fun,” adds Jayson. And Producer Rod Pintello notes that “it’s certainly a lot quieter than rehearsals for our last play,” the big hit musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” which was directed by daughter Whitney Pintello McClelland.

The Pintellos enjoy all aspects of the theater business, and they swap roles throughout the seasons, including family and friends onstage, offstage and backstage. In the first play of 2009, written by their favorite playwright, Canadian Norm Foster, will be directed by Rod with a role for Marion in the show. The Pintello offspring and their spouses, Whitney and Rob McClelland, and Simon and Stephanie Pintello, have all been seen onstage and off. Even the grandkids, Shelby and Mary McClelland, always help out, as well as having appeared in cameo roles.

This new show will open on Friday, November 7, 2008, and run Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. for four weekends, through November 29th. One matinee will be presented on Sunday, November 16th, and the play will be interpreted for American Sign Language by daughter-in-law Stephanie Pintello on Saturday evening November 15th. Reservations and information are here online or by calling 408-776-8004, or e-mail to pintello@charter.net .

Produced by Rod and Marion Pintello, the comedy play is being presented in the Gilroy Grange Hall, 8191 Swanston Lane in Gilroy. The comedy troupe continues to perform full-length comedy plays featuring local actors, comfortable table seating, coffee and cookies, and their trademark friendly welcome.

Bringing four new comedies to the stage each year at the Grange Hall is a labor of love, say the Pintellos adding that the family is very happy with the central location off Leavesley Road between Monterey and Forest. “Our shows here have been very well-received; we’re very pleased with the enthusiasm of our audiences. Our patrons have become friends.”

Opening night at the cabaret-style theater will be Friday, November 7th, 2008, with performances continuing Friday and Saturday nights through November 29th, plus one matinee on November 16th. Information and reservations can be found here online or by calling 408-776-8004. Or you can reach the Pintello family on e-mail at pintello@charter.net.