Announcing: Elephant Theatre Company Announces 2011 Season

ELEPHANT THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES 2011 SEASON

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, AWARD-WINNING COMPANY
SET TO PRESENT WEST COAST PREMIERE OF
“100 SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW” BY KATE FODOR,
WORLD PREMIERE OF “LOVE SICK” BY KRISTINA POE,
AND THE RARELY PRODUCED
“BABY DOLL” BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

The much lauded Elephant Theatre Company, David Fofi and Lindsay Allbaugh, Co-Artistic Directors, has announced its 15th season, which will kick off on May 20 with the West Coast premiere of 100 Saints You Should Know by Kate Fodor, followed by the world premiere of Love Sick by Kristina Poe, and concluding with the rarely produced Baby Doll by Tennessee Williams in the late fall of 2011.

In 100 Saints You Should Know, a priest who must reconcile his desires with his role in the church, a teenage boy confused about his own sexual identity, and a young woman desperate for spiritual validation, are all brought together on one fateful night in which they will discover the tenuous common ground they share. 100 Saints You Should Know is a compelling and heartbreaking journey in search for self in a discriminatory and alienating world. Playwright Kate Fodor is a recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Roger L. Stevens Award, the Nation Theater Conference’s Barrie Stavis Award, and a Joseph Jefferson Citation. 100 Saints You Should Know was originally produced off-Broadway in 2007 at Playwrights Horizons. Directed by Lindsay Allbaugh, this West Coast premiere opens May 20 and runs through June 26 at the Elephant Space.

Up next, and continuing the Elephant’s bi-coastal partnership with New York City’s LAByrinth Theater Company, is the world premiere of Love Sick by Kristina Poe. Love Sick is a graphic tale following one woman’s dark and comic quest for revenge. When Emily’s happily ever after comes crashing down, she embarks on a journey of seduction, power, coercion and self-discovery which quickly descends into a riddled web of mysterious and alluring encounters. Playwright Kristina Poe spent the first 20 years of her theatre career as a stage manager off-Broadway and regionally, and as a production manager for companies in San Francisco and New York. As a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company in New York City, she wrote her first play, Love Sick, which, along with the Elephant production, will be presented later this year by AirPort Bar Productions in New York. She is currently at work on her new play, The Restlessness of Desire. In November, 2010, The LAByrinth and The Elephant announced a bi-coastal partnership between the two acclaimed ensemble-based companies. At that time, Elephant Co-Artistic Director David Fofi said, “The hope is that the two companies can find a home away from home with each other and bring their work to the opposite coasts.” Love Sick, directed by Fofi, will open on September 9 and run through October 16 at the Elephant space.

Closing out the year-long celebration of Tennessee Williams’ 100th birthday, the Elephant Theatre will present the seldom-produced tragicomedy Baby Doll. Adapted by Williams from his own one-act play 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, the film was released in 1956, directed by Elia Kazan. At that time, it was labeled “notorious, salacious, revolting, steamy, lewd, suggestive, provocative, and morally repellent.” It was also nominated for four Academy Awards, including best adapted screenplay. Baby Doll is an effort to decode modern sexual politics; it is also a timely rehashing of the familiar struggle of America’s “everyman.” The story centers around the arranged marriage of a doltish and passionate owner of a Southern cotton gin, and his stunningly beautiful and tenacious virgin bride who stubbornly refuses to consummate their marriage until the day of her 20th birthday. Compounding this fiery battle of wills is the arrival of a crafty and dark Sicilian gin mill magnate who covets both the dolt’s wife and his business. Concluding the 2011 season, Baby Doll will be a co-production of the Elephant Theatre and Double A Productions. Joel Daavid directs, and the run will be from November 11 through December 14 at the Lillian Theatre.

The Elephant’s 2010 productions of Supernova by Tim McNeil and Parasite Drag by Mark Roberts were nominated for a total of four LA Weekly Awards, and two LADCC Awards, winning one of each for actress Agatha Nowicki in the category of featured actress for Parasite Drag. Nowicki also won a Back Stage Garland Award, and was nominated for an Ovation Award for her performance.

Tickets for 100 Saints You Should Know (opening May 20) are on sale now, and may be purchased by calling 877-369-9112 or by reserving online: www.elephanttheatrecompany.com. The Elephant Space is located at 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard and the Lillian Theatre is located at 1076 Lillian Way (off Santa Monica Boulevard, just west of Vine), both in Hollywood. For more information on the Elephant Theatre Company, visit www.elephanttheatrecompany.com. Visit the Elephant on Facebook and follow us on twitter @elephanttheatre.

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04-06-11

Announcing: ‘Cabaret Cares: Songs for Japan’ Benefit Set for Monday, April 11

CABARET CARES: SONGS FOR JAPAN
A BENEFIT CONCERT TO AID RELIEF EFFORTS

PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT THE JBA FOUNDATION
PRODUCED BY DAISY EAGAN AND JAMES MOONEY
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CATALINA JAZZ CLUB
MONDAY, APRIL 11 AT 8PM

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Daisy Eagan and James Mooney, in association with the Catalina Jazz Club, have announced Cabaret Cares: Songs for Japan, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 11 at 8pm. Proceeds will support the Japanese Business Association Foundation. The JBA is working directly with the Japanese Consulate to ensure that the money raised on this evening will make it directly to the people working “on the ground” right now.

Stars from the worlds of Broadway, television, music and cabaret will come together to show their support, entertain, and help raise money to assist with Japan’s monumental crisis. The performers, in alphabetical order, are scheduled to include Danielle Bisutti & Rob Mullins, Jim J Bullock, comedian Bill Burr, Daisy Eagan, Delious Kennedy (All 4 One), Lee Lessack, Andrea Marcovicci, Sharon McKnight, Valarie Pettiford, and The Sklar Brothers (Comedy Central). More stars are expected to participate. Please ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/cabaretcares for up-to-the-minute updates on the list of performers.

Tickets are $30 (plus a two-drink minimum) and can be purchased online by visiting www.catalinajazzclub.com or by calling (323) 466-2210. The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 W. Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, 90028.

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04-05-11

Announcing: Additional Cast Announced for “The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue” Starring Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht

ANNIE KORZEN, RON ORBACH, DEEDEE RESCHER & CAROLE ITA WHITE
SET TO JOIN JASON ALEXANDER AND GINA HECHT IN
THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE
BY NEIL SIMON
DIRECTED BY GLENN CASALE

PERFORMANCES BEGIN APRIL 21 AT THE EL PORTAL THEATRE
OPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 23 FOR THREE WEEKS ONLY

Actors Annie Korzen, Ron Orbach, DeeDee Rescher, and Carol Ita White will join stars Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht in the special three-week engagement of the comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Neil Simon, it was announced today by producers Tom Brocato, Butterfield Road Productions in association with Charles A. Eisler, Producers Network. Directed by Glenn Casale, the production will begin performances at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood on April 21 for three weeks only. Opening is set for Saturday, April 23 at 8pm. Performances will continue through May 15.

Annie Korzen has appeared in many films and on television, but she is perhaps best known for her two solo shows, Yenta Unplugged and The Yenta Cometh, both of which have enjoyed engagements in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada. Ron Orbach has been seen both on and off Broadway in productions such as Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Never Gonna Dance, and Chicago; Neil Simon’s Hotel Suite, Pal Joey (Encores!), and Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends. He has also made guest starring appearances on countless television series. DeeDee Rescher’s television credits include My Name Is Earl, Malcolm in the Middle, Friends, The Nanny, and Party of Five, among many others. Her local theatre credits include How The Other Half Loves (ICT in Long Beach), Red Herring, The Pursuit of Happiness, and The Underpants, all at the Laguna Playhouse, and El Grande de Coca Cola in New York City and The Pasadena Playhouse. Carole Ita White has appeared in many feature films, including Falling Down, Grand Canyon, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and The Witches of Eastwick, among others. Los Angeles stage work includes Jeannie Fitzpatrick Is Angry, Borderline, Equus, and The Seahorse.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue revolves around the escalating problems of a middle-aged couple living on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side of New York City. Mel Edison (portrayed by Alexander), has just lost his job after many years and now has to cope with being unemployed at middle age. The action occurs during an intense summer heat wave and a prolonged garbage strike, which just exacerbates Edison’s plight to no end as he and his wife Edna (Hecht) deal with noisy neighbors, loud sounds emanating from Manhattan streets, and even a robbery of their apartment in broad daylight. Mel eventually suffers a nervous breakdown from the whole affair, and it is up to the loving care of his brother Harry, his sisters and his wife Edna to bring Mel back to a firm reality. Neil Simon’s 1971 play walks a tightrope between comedy and drama in this bittersweet tale. The play is perhaps more relevant today than it was when it first debuted on Broadway 40 years ago.

The set design for The Prisoner of Second Avenue is by Stephen Gifford, lighting design is by Jared A. Sayeg, costume design is by Kate Bergh, and Philip G. Allen has joined the team as sound designer. The production stage manager is John Lovick. The Prisoner of Second Avenue is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Jason Alexander is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing on the sitcom from 1989 to 1998. He began his acting career on the New York stage, appearing in several Broadway plays and musicals, including Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, Kander and Ebb’s The Rink, Rupert Holmes’ Accomplice, Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound, and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, for which he won the 1989 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Alexander appeared in the Los Angeles production of The Producers with Martin Short at the Pantages Theatre, and is currently the artistic director of the Reprise Theatre Company.

Gina Hecht has enjoyed a wide and varied career on stage, in film, and on television. In prior collaborations with director Glenn Casale, Gina appeared in productions of Wrestlers, Circle of Will, as well as in a production of Night Owls, winning Drama-Logue and LA Weekly Awards along the way. She has been in over a dozen films, including Night Shift (with Henry Winkler) and more recently Seven Pounds (with Will Smith). Television work includes recurring roles on Mork & Mindy, Heartbeat, Everything’s Relative, Life Goes On, The District, Any Day Now, Seinfeld, and Hung.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue will play two lower-priced preview performances on Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22 at 8pm, and opening night is set for Saturday, April 23 at 8:00. The regular performance schedule is Wednesday (except May 4) through Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 7pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. There will be two special performances on Tuesday, May 3 at 2pm and 8pm, and the three-week-only engagement will continue through Sunday, May 15. All preview seats are $40, and regular ticket prices range from $45 – $55, with a limited number of VIP seats available at $75 and $80, which include a post-performance meet-and-greet with Jason Alexander and a voucher for two drinks at intermission. To purchase tickets, visit www.elportaltheatre.com, or call (866) 811-4111 or (818) 508-4200. For group sales, call (818) 301-5181 or (818) 986-2908. Visit The Prisoner of Second Avenue on Facebook and follow us on twitter @prisoner2ndave.

The El Portal Theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Ample parking is available around the theatre.

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04-03-11