Cal State University, Fullerton Theatre to Present THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL, 11/7-23

The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee is a poignant drama that explores Henry David Thoreau's historic act of civil disobedience. The show runs November 7-23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on CSUF's campus.

In The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, American author and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau is thrown in jail for refusing to pay taxes in 1846. His refusal to pay taxes stemmed from the United States government's involvement in the Mexican War, which he opposed. From a Massachusetts jail cell, Thoreau recalls events from his life as a young man that explore his philosophies. Written and first produced in the 1970's during the Vietnam War, the play can be viewed as a work of protest. In 1970,The New York

The plays of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee have been translated and performed in

thirty-two languages throughout the world. They earned many of the most prestigious awards in the theatre, including the Donaldson Award, Variety Critics Poll, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Theatre Association. They were involved in both the academic and professional theatre scene. Mr. Lawrence served on the Board of Directors of the American Conservatory Theatre, the National Repertory Theatre, the Writers Guild of America, and the Authors Guild of America. He served as master playwright at New York University and also co-founded the American Playwrights Theatre along with Mr. Lee. Robert E. Lee was an adjunct professor of playwriting at UCLA for almost twenty years and served on the Executive Writers Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is helmed by CSUF's head of directing, Mark Ramont.

Mr. Ramont has worked professionally as a director, artistic administrator and educator at theatres such as Circle Repertory Theatre (NYC), Ford's Theatre (Washington, DC), the Alley Theatre (Houston), the Hangar Theatre (Ithaca, NY), Capitol City Playhouse (Austin) and others. He has directed world premiere productions of Dalton's Back, Walking the Dead, Mad River Rising and The Colorado Catechism, among others. He is a recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette Award, as well as multiple Austin Theatre Critics' and Austin Circle of Theatres Awards.

The cast of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail includes Kyle Anderson as Henry David Thoreau, Victoria Sasso as Lydian Emerson, Tamara Veres Vailant as Mother Thoreau, Sean Casey Flanagan as John Thoreau, Alexander Burt as Bailey, Tyler Cass as Deacon Ball, Jackie Summers as Ellen Sewell, Sean Ellner as Sam Staples, Chet Lewis/Jack Lewis as Edward Emerson, and Marqell Clayton as Henry Williams. The ensemble includes Sarah Garcia, Zachary Peterson, Vincent Laddaga, Amanda Burch, and Kyle Pazdel.

Scenic Design is by Ashley Strain, Lighting Design is by Max Weisenberger, Costume Design is by Christina Marie Perez, Sound Design is by Francis Gacad, and Hair/Makeup Design is by Amanda Zukle.

Soon to follow in the season is The Tony Award-winning musical, Kiss Me, Kate, based on Shakespeare's comedy The Taming of the Shrew. The show runs November 21-December 14, 2014 in the Little Theatre on campus. The creative team includes director Jeremy Lewis in association with professional director/actress EveHimmelheber, musical direction by Mitchell Hanlon and choreography by William F. Lett. I Hate Men, Always True to You (In My Fashion) and Brush Up Your Shakespeare are just a few of the classic Cole Porter hits from the 1948 musical.

The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail plays at 8pm on November 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 and at 2pm on November 9, 15, 16, 22, 23. General admission tickets are $11 ($10 with advance Titan Discount purchase for students, seniors or with a CSUF ID). All tickets are $11 at the door. Tickets are available by calling (657) 278-3371, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Online, tickets are available at: http://www.fullerton.edu/Arts/theatredance/events.html