Boatwright, Edgell, Goodman et al. Set for THE CHARM OF MAKING at Stella Adler Collective; Opens 3/19

Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective (John Jack Rodgers, Artistic Director) announced full casting today for their inaugural production of the world premiere play THE CHARM OF MAKING by Collective company member and Award-winning playwright Timothy McNeil (Anything - 2007 LADCC Award / Best Play). Collective company member and Academy Award-winner Milton Justice (The Day I Stood Still - U.S. Premiere) directs a cast of nine in this new play that focuses on love, history, life and death in a small Southern town. Preview performances began March 12 with an official press opening on Friday, March 19 at the Stella Adler-Los Angeles Theatre (6773 Hollywood Boulevard) in Hollywood.

"Milton Justice, Tim McNeil and I sort of grew up together at The Stella Adler-Los Angeles. We have known each other for more than 20 years - and we still love being together and working together," said Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective Artistic Director John Jack Rodgers. "The Stella Adler-Los Angeles is our creative home. It is the artistic home for so many alums from over the years since Stella decided that Los Angeles demanded and deserved its own Adler School - The Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre. Each time we all work together, as we are all doing in The Charm of Making, it is like a home coming - a great reunion in the work with family...and it is truly a joy."

Set in present day, small town Mississippi, The Charm of Making examines the conflict of religion vs. human nature through the eyes of the last living members of an old Southern family, as they struggle with the past of their dead relatives and their present as family and individuals. Elvin Randolph attempts to break the chains of the past. He is aided by his loving but volatile sister Morgan, and opposed by his opinionated, but equally loving brother, Baptist preacher Samuel.

Milton Justice directs a cast of nine starring:

Jon Boatwright as Samuel (Title role in Kid Champion produced by Joe Pesci and Conflict of Interest with Michael Madsen)

Thor Edgell as Elvin (Arms and the Man and Normal)

May Quigley Goodman as Lottie (Crane, Mississippi and Vanities)

Nicholas Hargous as Cameron (This is Our Youth)

Bonnie McNeil as Morgan (Margaret directed by Mark Ruffalo and the world premiere of Jack
Heifner's Heart Break)

Timothy McNeil as Romeo and Juliet (Anything and Los Muertos)

Matthew Oliva as Andrew (Ten Men at 24th St. Theater and Sparks at South Coast Rep)

Alfredo J. Orrego as Paul (A Street Car Named Desire)

T.M. Rawlins as Jenny (Sing Me That Leonard Cohen Song Again and The Yesterday Girls)

Joining the creative team with Justice are Alain Villeneuve (set designer), Paige Selene Luke (lighting designer), Yaitza Rivera (production stage manager) and Zulivet Diaz (stage manager).

THE CHARM OF MAKING is presented by the Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective, the newly formed theatre company of Stella Adler-Los Angeles, Academy and Theatre and is produced by Rochelle Rossman. The Collective is headed by Artistic Director John Jack Rodgers.

THE CHARM OF MAKING plays at the Stella Adler-Los Angeles Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood from March 12 - April 25, 2010, with the official press opening on Friday, March 19, 2010. Performance schedule is Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 and are available by calling 323-960-7735 or by visiting www.Plays411.com/thecharm. For additional information call 323-465-4446 or visit www.StellaAdler-LA.com.

ABOUT Stella Adler-LOS ANGELES:

Stella Adler-Los Angeles, which was founded by Stella Adler, Joanne Linville, and Irene Gilbert, is a world renowned acting school located in the heart of Hollywood. Stella Adler-Los Angeles offers extensive training for the serious actor in theatre, film, and television.
The Stella Adler Technique grew out of Miss Adler's personal work with Konstantin Stanislavski, the father of modern acting. This technique (or method of acting) has been studied by many of the world's most notable actors, directors, and writers including Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro, Holland Taylor, Gary Ross, Eric Stoltz, Mark Ruffalo, among others.