Directed by Florida Stage artistic director Louis Tyrrell, The Count "tells the story of a world renowned photographer returning to the home of her gay brother and his partner to celebrate their parents' 55th wedding anniversary, only to find that her father's new friend, a mysterious Count, seems to have stolen his attention if not his nest-egg away from everyone including his wife and his children."

The play received "huge public response" when it was presented as part of the Florida Stage 1st Stage, a new works festival, in spring 2007.

Playwright Hedden's one-act plays have been produced by Ensemble Studio Theatre, Naked Angels, and Manhattan Punch Line. His first full-length play, Been Taken, was produced by Ensemble Studio Theatre and later by the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York. Bodies, Rest, and Motion premiered at Lincoln Center Theater, and As Sure As You Live premiered at the Flight Theatre of Los Angeles. He adapted Bodies, Rest, and Motion for the screen, and co-produced the Fine Line film. Hedden co-wrote the screenplay "Sleep With Me." He currently resides in Missoula, MT, where he is the Playwright in Residence for The Montana Rep. The Count was first developed at The Montana Rep's Colony.

The cast includes Dan Leonard (as The Count), Deborah Hazlett (as Jane Gray), Richard Henzel (as Lester), Warren Kelley (as Michael), Lois Markle (as Connie) and Michael Marotta (as Monty).

The creative team includes Richard Crowell (scenic design), Suzanne M. Jones (lighting design), Nelson Fields (costume design) and Matt Kelly (sound design). Florida Stage is located in Manalapan, FL, near West Palm Beach.

For more information visit www.floridastage.org.