PRESS RELEASE — BLANK THEATRE OPENS 24TH SEASON WITH “THE WHY” ON SATURDAY 9/20 AT 8PM

THE BLANK THEATRE
PRESENTS
THE WHY
BY VICTOR KAUFOLD
DIRECTED BY DANIEL HENNING

24TH SEASON BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 16
AT THE BLANK’S 2nd STAGE THEATRE
OPENING SET FOR SATURDAY 9/20 AT 8PM

The Blank Theatre (Daniel Henning, Founding Artistic Director; Noah Wyle, Artistic Producer) has announced that the first production of its 24th season will be The Why by Victor Kaufold, directed by Henning. Previews begin September 16 and opening is set for Saturday, September 20 at 8pm. The engagement will run through October 19.

The Why is a fast-paced tragicomedy — one part modern satire, one part honest investigation. The central story concerns Robert, an American teenager guilty of murdering three of his classmates in a school shooting. Spliced among the dramatic exchanges between Robert and his assigned social worker, a parade of fantastical stereotypes storms in and out, creating a dichotomy between moments of hilarity and sorrow. Confronted by disturbingly accurate exaggerations of the tabloid-like modern media, the audience is made to laugh and then question that laughter.

The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Ben Crowley, Nicholas Cutro, Jen Landon, and Jeff Witzke. The design team includes Martha Carter (lighting), Sarah Kalb (costumes), and Rebecca Kessin (sound). The stage manager is Samantha Else. Sarah Allyn Bauer serves as producer.

Said Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle, “The Why is a truly original take on a very serious and very complex subject: what is happening to the youth of America? Why are kids killing each other? Who or what is to blame? Through blended styles, mixed media, and a constant shifting between drama, farce, satire, and melodrama, The Why seems to offer an answer. Or at least it manages to debunk several popular theories being touted by ‘experts’ in the media. Its continued relevance is frightening.”

Playwright Victor Kaufold was just 19 years old when he wrote The Why, which was a Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival winner. Later produced on The Blank’s mainstage, Kaufold received an LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Award nomination for World Premiere Play, the youngest person ever to do so.

Preview performances of The Why begin on Tuesday, September 16 at 8pm, and continue Wednesday, September 17 through Friday, September 19 at 8pm. Opening is set for Saturday, September 20 at 8pm. The regular performance schedule will be Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through October 19. Admission prices are $25—$30 (student price is $20; must show valid ID), and tickets may be purchased online at www.TheBlank.com or via phone at (323) 661-9827.

The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre is located at 6500 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Wilcox), in Hollywood.

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08-13-14

Announcing: See What I Wanna See

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY’S
PRODUCTION OF MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA’S
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE
DOUG CARPENTER, JASON GRAAE, LESLI MARGHERITA,
PERRY OJEDA and SUZAN SOLOMON WILL STAR IN WEST COAST PREMIERE

PREVIEWS BEGIN APRIL 10, 2010
AT THE BLANK’S 2nd STAGE THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD

Casting is complete and rehearsals have begun for The Blank Theatre Company’s third and final production of its 19th season, Michael John LaChiusa’s See What I Wanna See. Directed by The Blank’s Artistic Director Daniel Henning, See What I Wanna See will begin preview performances on Saturday, April 10, 2010 and is set to open on Saturday, April 17 at 8pm.  The engagement will run through Sunday, May 23.

The cast, in alphabetical order, is Doug Carpenter (Life Could Be A Dream at the Hudson Mainstage and Camelot at the Pasadena Playhouse), Jason Graae (original casts of Forever Plaid and Forbidden Hollywood), Lesli Margherita (winner of the 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Zorro at London’s Garrick Theatre), Perry Ojeda (On the Town, Imaginary Friends and Blood Brothers on Broadway), and Suzan Solomon (Bubbling Brown Sugar, Let My People Come at New York’s Village Gate).

See What I Wanna See is about lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption.  It is based on three short stories that unfold like a Japanese screen painting.  In “Kesa and Morito,” set in medieval Japan, two lovers sing of the ecstasy and torment of their affair.  “R Shomon,” set in 1951 New York City, follows the investigation of a crime of passion and the witnesses’ contradicting versions of the event.  “Gloryday,” set in present day New York, presents a priest during a crisis of faith after a terrible tragedy strikes the city.  This fascinating musical asks the question, “What Is Truth?” You’ll be amazed by the kaleidoscope of answers.  “This smoky, sexy saga, enhanced by LaChiusa’s muscular, jazzy score flecked with Japanese influences and tough, punchy lyrics, make See What I Wanna See a highly original, innovative journey,” said the Associated Press of the original 2005 off-Broadway production at New York’s Public Theater.

The set design for See What I Wanna See is by Ginnie Ann Held, costume design is by Dana Peterson, and the lighting design is by Jeremy Pivnick.  The production stage manager is Ramon Valdez, and the producers are Stacy Reed, Noah Wyle and Jon Van Middlesworth.

Preview performances of See What I Wanna See are Saturday, April 10 at 8pm, Sunday, April 11 at 2pm, and Tuesday, April  13 – Friday, April 16 at 8pm.  Opening night is set for Saturday, April 17 at 8:00. THE MEDIA IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL PRESS PREVIEW ON FRIDAY 4/16, BUT IS ALSO WELCOME AT ANY OTHER PERFORMANCE AFTER THAT DATE. The regular performance schedule is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through May 23.  All preview seats are $30; regular performance prices are $30 on Thursday and Sunday, $34.99 on Friday and Saturday.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (323) 661-9827 or online at www.TheBlank.com.

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

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03-05-10