REUNION, LIQUIDATION PLAY and More Set for South Coast Rep's Spring Season

By: Feb. 28, 2014
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South Coast Repertory has announced an exciting lineup of shows from March to June. Check out the full linup below!

March 2014

Reunion
by Gregory S Moss, directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt

They revert to their childhood names-Maxie, Petie, Mitchie-these three buddies, who haven't seen each other since their high school graduation party 25 years ago. It's time to get wasted and relive the fun-the sunlit days of autumn leaves, moon pies and girls in lamb's wool sweaters. But it's risky, trying to get in touch with-maybe even understand-their past selves. Memories aren't always reliable, hurt runs deep and apologies come hard in this scathingly funny look at high school reunions and the complex nature of male friendship.

Tickets: Prices start at $22

Reunion will have previews March 9-13 and regular performances March 15-30 at the Julianne Argyros Stage. Shows are Tuesday-Sunday evenings at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There is no evening performance on Sunday, March 30. Tickets start at $22.

Liquidation Play
By Sarah Burgess

Jenny's a shark in private equity while co-worker Seth harbors bigger dreams. Jenny's jealous when Seth brings in a deal to take over and rehabilitate a family-owned suitcase company. Philosophy and ambition collide as the deal gets complicated. Could it be a win-win situation for everyone, or is it just about the bottom line?

Liquidation Play, NewSCRipts Reading #3, will play Monday March 17 at 7:30 p.m at Julianne Argyros Stage. General admission tickets are $15.

Jack and the Giant Beanstalk
by Linda Daugherty, directed by Mercy Vasquez

This is Jack as you've never seen him! Yes, he trades his old cow for some beans and climbs the stalk to the giant's home in the sky. But wait until you hear the rest. The giant has a wife, who really is tired of her husband's fe-fi-fo-fumming. The chicken that lays golden eggs has anxiety issues. The guitar in the corner is singing for her life. And what about Jack's father-the black-eyed man who was lost at sea? Rumor has it there's a captive in the giant's dungeon. Are his eyes black? SCR's Junior Players, chosen by audition after at least two years in the Theatre Conservatory, portray all the characters in this wonderful twist on Jack's story-including his rabble-rousing friends, who have the imagination to believe in his dream.

Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, a Junior Players Student Production, will play March 22, 23, 29 and 30 at Nicholas Studio. Show times are Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Rest
by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Martin Benson

A nursing home in northern Idaho is shutting down. Only three patients remain-and one of them is lost. Gerald, 91 and suffering from Alzheimers, has wandered off, leaving his wife Etta and her friend Tom. The remaining staff includes a new 20-year-old cook and two longtime employees, women who are suddenly faced with a crisis of their own. In the midst of a record-breaking blizzard, the search for Gerald takes an unexpected turn-as the others find themselves powerless in the face of an uncertain future. A tender and heartbreakingly funny new work by the playwright who has risen like a meteor on the theatrical scene-author of last season's play The Whale. This play is an SCR commission.

Rest will have previews March 28-April 3 and regular performances April 5-27 at Segerstrom Stage. Show times are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There is no evening performance on Sunday, April 27. Tickets start at $22.

April 2014

Five Mile Lake
by Rachel Bonds, directed by Daniella Topol

Jamie enjoys a quiet life in his small Pennsylvania town, fixing up his grandfather's old lake house and pining after Mary, his troubled coworker. When his brother comes back to town with a new girlfriend, Jamie's peaceful world is turned upside down. A tender story about those who stay and those who go away.

Five Mile Lake will have previews April 13-April 17 and regular performances April 19-May 4 at Julianne Argyros Stage. Show times are Tuesday-Sunday evenings at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There is no evening performance on Sunday, April 17. Tickets start at $22.

The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois
written and directed by Adam Rapp

Ellis Shook lives alone in a small duplex apartment in Paducah, Kentucky. He works nights buffing floors, keeps to himself-and always remembers to take his medication. But when two teenage girls arrive at his doorstep one autumn afternoon, their visit will force him to confront a tragic past while also offering him a glimpse at hope. This is an SCR commission.

The Purple Light of Joppa Illinois will have previews April 23-24 and regular performances April 25-May 4 at Nicholas Studio. Show times are Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

17th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF)

The Pacific Playwrights Festival annually presents seven new plays in staged readings and full productions during a three-day period. For SCR's 50th Season, PPF will be presenting three full productions of new plays and four staged readings. Audiences consist of local playgoers and representatives from theatres nationwide. PPF provides a gathering place for writers and theatre professionals to connect and share ideas and interests in the context of a festival that promotes the latest and best in American playwriting. This year's festival will feature world premiere full productions by Rachel Bonds, Samuel D. Hunter and Adam Rapp. Staged readings by Theresa Rebeck, Eliza Clark, Rajiv Joseph and Melissa Ross.

PPF Readings Include:

Zealot
by Theresa Rebeck
directed by Marc Masterson
Friday, April 25, at 1 p.m., on the Segerstrom Stage
At the British consulate in Mecca, a tactical tea is interrupted by news of nearby violence. When a witness seeks asylum, a diplomatic battle of wits ensues, while a life hangs in the balance.

Future Thinking

by Eliza Clark
directed by Lila Neugebauer
Friday, April 25, at 3:30 p.m., on the Segerstrom Stage
Chiara, the spoiled starlet. Peter, her obsessed, middle-aged stalker-fan. Add a stage mother, a bodyguard with a past and a security guard who really wants to be a cop, and fantasies collide-with each other and with reality.

Mr. Wolf
by Rajiv Joseph
directed by Matt Shakman
Saturday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m., on the Julianne Argyros Stage
The only world 17-year old Theresa has ever known revolves around Mr.Wolf. He taught her the universe. When she's taken from him and thrust into the arms of well-meaning strangers, she must grapple with who she is and where she belongs.

Of Good Stock
by Melissa Ross
directed by Lynne Meadow
Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m., on the Segerstrom Stage
Three sisters and their respective partners gather for the weekend at their late father's house in Cape Cod. As the drinks flow, so do the family feuds, witty banter and surprising confessions

May 2014

Tartuffe
by Molière
adapted by David Ball
directed by Dominique Serrand

They banned it in Paris. But that was in 1664. Three hundred years later, this play put SCR on the map. Now, celebrate the landmark 50th Season with a revival of Tartuffe, a classic comedy about the man who gave the word "hypocrite" a bad reputation. A family watches in astonishment as the head of the household falls under Tartuffe's spell. While they scheme to get rid of the false prophet, he does himself in, proving that when your thoughts are supposed to be turned heavenward, it's a good idea not to reveal earthly desires, especially when someone is hiding in the closet-or under the table.

Tartuffe will have previews May 9-15 and regular performances May 17-June 8 at Segerstrom Stage. Show times are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There is no evening performance on Sunday, June 8. Tickets start at $22.

Bliss
by Laurie Woolery
directed by Hisa Takakuwa

It's a beautiful morning in Happy Valley, but Sidney is discontented with being contented. So she creates a little mischief at school. After getting out of detention, Sidney decides to seek her own bliss. With her reluctant friend Fatima in tow, she embarks on a wild journey to some really cool places. She meets rock stars, famous muses and great artists. They all have stories to tell (and advice to share). Sidney finds-to her surprise-they aren't totally contented either. SCR's Teen Players, chosen by audition after at least two years in the Theatre Conservatory, portray the characters in this fantastic adventure that proves we all have to go our own way-to discover our true purpose in life.

Bliss, a Teen Players Student Production, will run May 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at Nicholas Studio.Show times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
adapted by John Glore
from the book by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith
directed by Jessica Kubzansky

Familiar fairy tales take on lives of their own, often go berserk right onstage and occasionally burst into song. Rumplestiltskin turns up in Cinderella's story. Jack sends the giant back up the beanstalk (which he hasn't even planted yet). Chickens can't wait for their cues. The audience can't wait to applaud-and you'll never want it to end.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales will have previews May 23-30 and regular performances May 31-June 8 at Julianne Argyros Stage. Show times are Friday evenings at 7 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 11 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Children's tickets start at $20 and adult tickets start at $25.

June 2014

Absolutely Filthy
presented by Sacred Fools Theater
directed by Jeremy Aldridge
Studio SCR

Winner of Best Comedy at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2013! The story follows a homeless man living in a permanent cloud of dust and grime who stumbles upon the funeral of his long-estranged best friend. As he attempts to reconnect with his former childhood playmates, he realizes he just may have a shot at redemption.

Absolutely Filthy will run June 5-8 at Nicholas Studio. Show times are Thursday evening at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; and Saturday-Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for a low-priced preview June 5, $25 general admission, and $20 for students.

The Bargain and the Butterfly
presented by Ghost Road Company
directed by Katharine Noon
Studio SCR

Inspired by American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story The Artist of the Beautiful and under the direction of Katharine Noon, the Los Angeles-based theater ensemble has crafted a haunting new play, that explores the delicate intersection of genius and madness. In a world of shredded books and ticking time pieces, Annie-the brilliant, yet tense progeny of a scientist and a watchmaker-has one desire: to restore the soul of her twin brother. With blueprints for a synthetic soul in hand, she turns to a local glassblower to execute the central, delicate piece. When progress falters as she confides in her new companion, Annie begins to feel that time may be running out.

The Bargain and the Butterfly will run June 12-15 at Nicholas Studio. Show times are Thursday evening at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; and Saturday-Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for a low-priced preview June 12, $25 general admission, and $20 for students.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS - THEATRE CONSERVATORY

KIDS AND TEENS ACTING CLASSES / SUMMER ACTING WORKSHOP

Session I: July 14-July 26

Session II: July 28-Aug. 9

Summer Acting Workshop is a two-week introduction to theatre for students new to SCR. Kids and teens build self-esteem and confidence and make new friends within their peer groups (grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12).

Each day begins with an invigorating all-camp warm-up. Class time follows, as students join their age groups for two lively hours of interactive instruction in voice, movement, character development and more-led by SCR's staff of theatre professionals. The final hour is spent with special guests who bring to life various aspects of theatre, such as design, improvisation, combat, singing and playwriting-something different every day. The two-week program concludes with students sharing their work onstage in a demonstration project for invited family and friends.

All classes are $330 per two-week session. (to receive a sibling discount you must enroll by mail or phone, call (714) 708-5577)

ADULT ACTING AND PLAYWRITING CLASSES

Spring Session: March 31-May 21
SCR offers nationally acclaimed adult acting, playwriting and screenwriting classes, taught by top professionals in their field. This extensive slate of courses is designed for both career-minded professionals and those interested in personal growth and development. Choose from this slate to create a program that suits your individual pace and interests: discover acting talent, polish communication skills, develop spontaneity, meet new people, and master writing techniques.

Classes are held in the theatre's state-of-the-art Education Center, specially designed to meet the study and performance needs of students. Training takes place in classrooms and on stages in the David Emmes/Martin Benson Theatre Center near South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. At the heart of a dynamic theatre environment, SCR is in Orange County, just an hour from Los Angeles' film and television industry.

Tuition is $305 per eight-week class. Enroll for a second class in the same session and receive a $30 discount; call (714) 708-5577 to get this discount.

Discounts for previews, patrons under the age of 25, full-time students, educators and seniors with valid ID, and groups of 10 or more are available. (at most performances).

SCR also offers Today Tix, special ticket bargains on the day of performance only and subject to availability. Patrons under the age of 25 and full-time students get $10 Rush Tix the day of performance, subject to availability. Patrons age 15-to-25 may also sign up for a free MyStage membership to receive $10 tickets to any performance. Details can be found here: http://www.scr.org/tickets/mystage

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (714) 708-5555, online at www.scr.org or in person at 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.



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