North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents TED WILLIAMS: A TIP OF THE CAP, 6/20 & 21

This one-person tour de force performance encompasses the life of one of baseball's legendary greats: The Boston Red Sox's TEd Williams. Through the art of performance and visual imagery, we follow Ted's life from his humble beginnings in San Diego to his shinning accomplishments on the diamond. The Splendid Splinter recalls his life both on and off the field, as we are privy to his failed marriages, distant sense of family and his scoffs with the media as well as his heroics of The Korean War, his near impossible accomplishment of hitting .406, and finally his entrance into baseball's Hall of Fame. "Baseball is the only place where you can fail seven out of ten times and be considered a success. Maybe my life mirrored the sport more than I could have ever know." - TEd Williams.

Shows: June 20, 21

Tickets: $15-$20

A Note on TEd Williams: A Tip of the Cap

Why is TEd Williams significant? What does this production have to do with someone who was born and raised in San Diego? TEd Williams: A Tip of the Cap depicts the life of one of the greatest baseball hitters of all time, TEd Williams, who has left a lasting impression on his hometown of San Diego, California. Much of Ted William's history lies within the city limits of San Diego. William's grew up in North Park, went to Herbert Hoover High School, played as part of the then minor-league Padres baseball team, and has one of San Diego's freeways named after him, TEd Williams Parkway (San Diego Route 56). After a few years with the then minor-league Padres, the Boston Red Sox drafTEd Williams. Despite signing with the Boston Red Sox and leaving San Diego, TEd Williams secured his name with many fans that remained in San Diego. Red Sox fans are referred to as being part of the Red Sox Nation. Fans associated with the Red Sox Nation call many local restaurants and sports bars home, a reflection of the timeless mark TEd Williams carved into San Diego. Through the life of TEd Williams, starting his baseball career with the San Diego Padres and ending with the Boston Red Sox, we can see the struggles and hardships that come with fame and success. Although TEd Williams was not a great role model with his personal life, he revealed himself as a driven individual, whose hard work and determination led to great success, a characteristic that most people hope to emulate throughout their lives. "A man has to have goals - for a day, for a lifetime - and that was mine, to have people say, 'There goes TEd Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived.'" -TEd Williams. We are proud to call the life of TEd Williams an important component of San Diego's history.

Johnny Clark (TEd Williams) Johnny is thrilled to be making his North Coast Repertory debut! He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Vs. Theatre Company, a Los Angeles based theatre company dedicated to producing new works and Los Angeles premieres. Prior Vs. acting credits include: The Credeaux Canvas, Modern Dance for Beginners, Navy Pier, Beggars in the House of Plenty, Waste of Shame (written and directed by Ron Klier), Eric LaRue, On An Average Day (also performed at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre), Eagle Hills...Eagle Ridge...Eagle Landing, and Blackbird for which he received a Best Actor Nomination from the Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle for his performance as "Baylis." Other favorite stage credits include: Death of a Salesman (Odyssey Theatre), Never Swim Alone (West Coast Ensemble), and ChicaGo Productions of Life and Limb, Brilliant Traces, and A Hatful of Rain. He has done several commercials and independent films including Liars Club, which he co-wrote, produced and starred in. The film won First Prize at the Rhode Island Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release. His greatest accomplishment, however, is being a dad to his two sons, Callum and Truman. Johnny wishes to thank his parents, friends, and wife, Amy (a true angel) for all their constant love and support. He is eternally grateful. Johnny received a B.A. (w/ Honors) in Public Policy and Economics and went on to fulfill his passion of studying theatre and acting.

Matt Thompson (Writer/Director) Matt is the Director of Theatre School Education and Outreach for North Coast Repertory Theatre. Published plays include: The Audition, If the Shoe Fits (Dramatic Publishing), Beatrice the Butterfly, Don't Play Games With Me, First Impressions, The High School Drama, The Holiday Icon Monologues Part I & II, In a New York Minute, My Big Fat Greek Divorce, Nobody's Perfect, Return to Sender, The Smell of Success, Taking Flight, Who's on Alpha?, Writer's Block (Heuer Publishing), A Roman Holiday (Norman Maine Publishing).His historical one-act The Triangle Tragedy won Best New Short Drama at the 2008 Resilience of the Spirit Theatre Festival in San Diego. North Coast is also re-mounting his co-written holiday comedy, Mistletoe, Music and Mayhem! during the 2011-12 season. His newest play, A Roman Holiday will receive it's world premiere at the Coronado Playhouse in July 2011. Select directing credits: Mistletoe, Music & Mayhem!, King O' the Moon, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Hobbit (North Coast Rep); Sylvia, The Odd Couple, Spiked Heels (Tennessee People's Theatre); Apemantus, The Hurting Cow (The Road Theatre); The Triangle Tragedy, 9066 (Compass Theatre); If the Shoe Fits, A Roman Holiday (Coronado Playhouse). As an actor he has worked across the country in regional theatres such as The Theatre in Old Town, Lamb's Player's Theatre, The Falcon Theatre, Compass Theatre, El Portal Arts Center, The Road Theatre, Tennessee People's Theatre to name a few. He has also appeared in guest starring roles in such television series as C.S.I, Veronica Mars, Days of Our Lives, Baywatch, Fashion House, The Invisible Man, The Expendables, Cover Me, and Watch Over Me. Mr. Thompson received his Master's Degree in Theatre from San Diego State University.

WHAT:
North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents the San Diego Premiere of...
TEd Williams: A Tip of the Cap
Written and Directed by Matt Thompson

Featuring:
Johnny Clark

WHEN:
June 20, 21

WHERE:
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075

TIME & PLACE:
1936-1972
Fenway Park, Boston, San Diego

RUN TIME:
Approximately 90 minutes.

INTERMISSION:
There will be no intermission.

TICKET PRICES: $15-$20

HOW TO BUY TICKETS:Tickets for TEd Williams: A Tip of the Cap are available only at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach at 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite D, www.northcoastrep.org. Box Office hours are Noon to 4pm daily and Noon to Curtain day of shows.

SHOWTIMES:Show times are Monday, June 20, and Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30pm.

About the North Coast Repertory Theatre:
North Coast Repertory Theatre is a professional equity theatre founded in 1982. Coming into its 30th anniversary, North Coast Rep has received critical acclaim from media and audiences alike. With the fifth largest operating budget of non profit theatres and employing the third most Actors' Equity Association members (the union of professional actors and stage managers) in San Diego, North Coast Rep continues to produce high quality, award winning theatre and has evolved into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations. Located in Solana Beach, California, NCR not only draws its audience from the North County region but 50% of its audience base resides in metro San Diego and throughout Southern California. Recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to quality, this season will be performed on the Blakistone Stage, newly dedicated to North Coast Rep founders Olive Blakistone and her recently departed husband Tom, who passed away in March of 2009.