The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center's latest Emerging Filmmakers Showcase is a brand-new buddy comedy starring a prominent Pittsburgh media personality.
Not If I See You First was written and directed by Illinois-based filmmaker Aaron Wertheimer. It stars Wertheimer and Jefferson Hills’ Kenny Zimlinghaus as two guys whose lives are forever changed after a chance meeting in Chicago.
This two-hander will have its Western Pennsylvania premiere at The Lindsay on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. Zimlinghaus will be on hand for an in-person Q&A following the screening. Tickets are free, but RSVPs are recommended in advance due to space limitations.
Kenny (Zimlinghaus) meets Aaron (Wertheimer) during a work trip to Chicago. Aaron convinces him to extend that trip. But when Kenny’s car explodes and Aaron gets selective amnesia, will their fledgling friendship survive? The Not If I See You First cast also includes Johanna Wertheimer, Elizabeth Stam and Leslie Crum.
Zimlinghaus is a Long Island, N.Y., native who has been living in Western Pennsylvania for the past decade. The actor and nationally touring comedian is also a radio/podcast program coordinator in Robert Morris University’s Academic Media Center.
His Not If I See You First character is also a Pittsburgher, and he wears a “pretty sweet Pittsburgh shirt” for a large portion of his screen time.
“Pittsburgh has been a special place for me, and not just since I moved here,” Zimlinghaus says. “My wife is from here, and I’ve learned to really fall in love with it here. So, getting to know the city and its humor, I think this film fits right into the funny, zany and obscure things people from Pittsburgh may find amusing. I’m looking forward to the screening, and hope I do the Steel City proud!”
Wertheimer is a seasoned filmmaker who has now written and directed three comedies. Fun fact: The Skokie, Ill., resident’s wife and two children all appear in Not If I See You First.
Another fun fact: Wertheimer’s in-laws live in Squirrel Hill, and Mario Lemieux is his favorite hockey player.
“Not If I See You First is a straight-up heartfelt comedy, which is becoming more and more rare in indie film,” says Wertheimer. “A big goal with the film is just for people to get lost in its absurd logic and have a good time watching it.”
Tickets to Not If I See You First can be reserved at The Lindsay or online via thelindsaytheater.org.
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