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Announcing: Blank Theatre Presents World Premiere of “Sukie & Sue: Their Story” by Michael John LaChiusa

LINDSEY BROAD, RAE FOSTER, LENNY JACOBSON
AND MACKENZIE PHILLIPS
LEAD THE CAST OF THE BLANK THEATRE’S WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF SUKIE & SUE: THEIR STORY
BY MICHAEL JOHN LACHIUSA
DIRECTED BY KIRSTEN SANDERSON

FINAL PRODUCTION OF THE BLANK’S 21ST SEASON
BEGINS PERFORMANCES APRIL 21 AT 2ND STAGE THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD
OPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 28 AT 8PM

Sukie & Sue: Their Story poster - The BlankCasting is complete and rehearsals have begun for The Blank Theatre’s world premiere production of Sukie & Sue: Their Story by Michael John LaChiusa, directed by Kirsten Sanderson. Developed last year in The Blank’s Living Room Series, Sukie & Sue: Their Story is the only play ever written by LaChiusa, who has received five Tony Award nominations for his musicals. Sukie & Sue: Their Story begins previews on April 21, and opening is set for Saturday, April 28 at 8pm. The engagement will run through Sunday, June 3.

Based on actual events, Sukie & Sue: Their Story tells the creepy yet funny tale of two young nurses who have everything to live for … great boyfriends, jobs that actually help people, and as much weed as they can smoke. That is until their Raggedy Ann doll becomes possessed and destroys their lives. Packed with laughter, this play is likely to send audiences home checking under their beds for demons with hair made of red yarn.

The cast, in alphabetical order, is Nick Ballard, Lindsey Broad (The Office, 21 Jump Street), Elena Campbell-Martinez, Eddie Driscoll, Rae Foster, Lenny Jacobson (Nurse Jackie), Mary-Beth Manning, and Mackenzie Phillips (One Day at a Time). Kirsten Sanderson has directed new works by Michael John LaChiusa, Craig Lucas, Shel Silverstein, Stephen Schwartz, and Blake Edwards, among others. For The Blank, Sanderson also directed LaChiusa’s Little Fish, and last season’s Terre Haute by Edmund White, starring Mike Farrell and Jim Parrack.

Along with an original underscore by Michael John LaChiusa, the design team for Sukie & Sue: Their Story includes set by Eric Broadwater, lighting by Stephanette Smith, costumes by Bethany Jane Bohatila, props and special effects by Stephen Weston, and sound by Warren Davis. Producers are Matthew Graber, Daniel Henning, and Noah Wyle, and the stage manager is Liana Dillaway.

Sukie & Sue: Their Story begins previews on Saturday, April 21 at 8pm. Previews continue on Sunday, April 22 at 2pm and Tuesday, April 24 through Friday, April 27 at 8pm. Opening night is set for Saturday, April 28 at 8:00. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through June 3. Admission is $26 for previews, and ranges from $26-$30 for regular performances. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by visiting www.TheBlank.com, or by calling (323) 661-9827.

The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre is located at 6500 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Wilcox), in Hollywood. Secured valet parking is available for evening performances.

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03-20-12

Announcing: Tony Winner The Elephant Man Set for Theatre 68 Six Weeks Only Beginning March 28

1979 TONY AWARD-WINNER FOR BEST PLAY
THE ELEPHANT MAN
SET FOR THEATRE 68
SIX WEEKS ONLY BEGINNING MARCH 28

The Elephant Man Logo - The GrimyThe Grimy has announced a limited engagement of The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance, directed by Reid Scott, at Theatre 68 in Los Angeles. There will be two preview performances on March 28 and 29, with opening night set for Friday, March 30 at 8:00.

The Elephant Man is the story of John Merrick, a young man in England at the turn of the century, who suffered from a hideous and debilitating disorder. Merrick is taken into the care of Dr. Treves, the most prominent physician of that time. Despite his profound disability and bizarre appearance, it is revealed that Merrick is an incredible artist and poet. These qualities are only surpassed by the compassion of his luminous soul, and he deeply touches the lives of everyone with whom he comes into contact.

Originally presented at London’s National Theatre, the play later opened on Broadway. Along with the 1979 Tony Award for Best Play, The Elephant Man won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play, and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. The original Broadway cast included Philip Anglim as John Merrick (winner of the NY Drama Desk Award for Best Actor), and Kevin Conway as Dr. Treves. The role of John Merrick was later played by Mark Hamill and David Bowie, among others. The play ran over two years on Broadway.

Reid Scott has directed several off-Broadway productions, including Cargo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Inherit the Wind, Miss Julie, and Much Ado About Nothing. The Elephant Man marks his Los Angeles debut. The cast at Theatre 68 will include (in alphabetical order) Jeny Batten, Ron Bottitta, Nick Caballero, Kimberly Condict, Chris Payne Gilbert, Jamie Harris, Babar Peerzada, and Paulie Rojas. Set and lighting design is by Joel Daavid, and costume design is by Max Smith. The stage manager is Bland Brifkani, and The Elephant Man is produced for The Grimy by Lulu Brud and Babar Peerzada.

The Elephant Man will play two preview performances on Wednesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 29 at 8pm, and opening night is set for Friday, March 30 at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm through May 6 only. General admission seating is $30 ($25 in advance online), and tickets may be purchased at www.plays411.com/elephantman or by calling (323) 960-7735. Opening night seats are available for $45, which includes a post-performance reception   a meet-and-greet with the artists. Theatre 68 is located at 5419 Sunset Boulevard (just east of Western) inLos Angeles, 90027. Free rooftop parking is available.

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03-14-12