Debbie Yones (L) and Michael Gregory in ‘Two Across’ playing at Off-Central Players in St. Petersburg, Florida Jan. 30-Feb. 9, 2024. Credit: Photo via theoffcentral/Instagram
“Two Across,” opening Jan. 30 at The Off-Central, is a romantic comedy about two commuters (played by Debbie Yones and Michael Gregory) who meet, clash and eventually bond over a crossword puzzle.

Yones, an ensemble member at the theater, is also executive director of Voices of Hope for Aphasia, a nonprofit that supports people with language disorders and holds an annual fundraising event called Word Play, the centerpiece of which is—ta-da!—a crossword competition.

When Off-Central’s head honcho Ward Smith showed Yones the script, she remembers saying, “‘Omigosh, do you know this is perfect for Word Play? Yes, please, can I play this role and can we tie the two events together?’” Consider them tied.

A pay-what-you-can performance happens on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Tickets for “Two Across,” playing Thursdays-Sundays from Jan. 30-Feb. 9 at St. Petersburg’s Studio Grand Central & The Off-Central Players are still available and start at $20.

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This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2025.