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: Special Preview Engagement of Mike Farrell in “Dr. Keeling’s Curve” at The Blank Theatre – 12 Perfs Only

THE BLANK THEATRE PRESENTS
MIKE FARRELL IN
DR. KEELING’S CURVE
BY GEORGE SHEA
DIRECTED BY KIRSTEN SANDERSON

SPECIAL PREVIEW ENGAGEMENT
AT THE BLANK’S 2nd STAGE THEATRE

12 PERFORMANCES ONLY
SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 14

The Blank Theatre (Daniel Henning, Founding Artistic Director) has announced a special preview engagement of Mike Farrell starring in Dr. Keeling’s Curve by George Shea, directed by Kirsten Sanderson. There will be 12 performances only, September 21 through October 14, at the 2nd Stage Theatre in Hollywood.

Walk into the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. There you will find Darwin’s finches next to the double helix; and beside that, the Keeling Curve … a graph depicting the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Its message proclaims the most basic fact of climate change: that carbon dioxide levels have been climbing, and are continuing to rise at an extraordinary and accelerating pace. Mike Farrell plays Dr. Charles David Keeling in this all too real and often funny one man bio-play that makes global warming understandable, and reveals it to be anything but a myth. Dr. Keeling’s Curve was originally developed in The Blank’s Living Room Series.

Mike Farrell is best known for his role as B.J. Hunnicut in the iconic television series M*A*S*H. The two-time Emmy Award nominee also played roles in the popular television series Providence and Desperate Housewives. In 2010, Farrell starred in The Blank Theatre’s acclaimed production of Terre Haute by Edmund White, also directed by Kirsten Sanderson. Set and lighting design for Dr. Keeling’s Curve are by Cameron Zetty, and sound design is by Warren Davis. The stage manager is Sandy Fury.
Dr. Keeling’s Curve will begin performances in Hollywood on Friday, September 21 at the 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Wilcox), and will continue through Sunday, October 14 only. The running schedule is Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. All seats are $25, and may be purchased online at www.TheBlank.com, or via phone by calling (323) 661-9827.

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09-13-12

Announcing: The Blank Theatre Presents “20 Years of Winners,” A Benefit for The Young Playwrights Festival

THE BLANK THEATRE PRESENTS
20 YEARS OF WINNERS
SCENES, SONGS, AND SPEECHES FROM 20 YEARS
OF THE YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
ONE NIGHT ONLY: SUNDAY, JUNE 3 AT 6PM

Benefiting The Blank Theatre, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization, honorary host Jennifer Garner will welcome (in alphabetical order) Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Nicholas Brendon, Brianna Brown, Gordon Clapp, Dale Dickey, Daisy Eagan, Thea Gill, Peri Gilpin, Gale Harold, Lenny Jacobson, Michael E. Knight, Tom Lenk, Scott Lowell, Allison Mack, Virginia Madsen, Angel Parker, Rex Smith, Jennifer Stone, DB Sweeney, Kirsten Vangsness, Gedde Watanabe, Virginia Williams, and Noah Wyle as they perform scenes, songs, and speeches from 20 years of The Blank’s Young Playwrights Festival. Artists subject to change. This one night only event will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 6pm, at Avalon Hollywood.

About The Blank Theatre
Started in 1990 by Founding Artistic Director Daniel Henning, The Blank Theatre is Hollywood’s regional theatre, consistently offering some of the most high quality and entertaining productions in the area. In its 21-year history, The Blank has won hundreds of awards including every major award in Los Angeles for Outstanding Production, such as the LA Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, LA Weekly, NAACP, and Back Stage Garland awards. The Blank has been at the forefront of providing high quality productions with a risk-taking sensibility and entertaining experiences. The Blank Theatre is committed to developing excellence in artistic talent, and providing the opportunity for artists to take bold risks. For more information, please visit www.TheBlank.com.

BENEFIT PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

DATE/TIME:  Sunday, June 3, at 6pm

ADMISSION:  $50 – $125. VIP packages available for $250-$350 (includes post-performance reception with the cast).

TICKETS:        Online at www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827.

LOCATION:    Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine Street, Hollywood, 90028.

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05-08-12