Three friends embark on a joyous journey of sisterhood, discovering their inner 'duende' through a flamenco class for middle-aged women. Heart Song, the newest comedy/drama from Stephen Sachs (Bakersfield Mist, Cyrano), opens at The Fountain Theatre on May 25with Shirley Jo Finney (In the Red and Brown Water) directing and choreography by internationally renowned flamenco dancer Maria "Cha Cha" Bermudez. Check out a first look below!
Pamela Dunlap stars as Rochelle, a middle aged Jewish woman struggling with a crisis of faith. When Tina (
Tamlyn Tomita) convinces her to join a flamenco class for "seasoned" out of shape women, Rochelle's life is changed forever. There, she meets Daloris (Juanita Jennings) and an unforgettable circle of women (Andrea Dantas, Mindy Krasner, Elissa Kyriacou and Sherrie Lewandowski). Together with fiery flamenco teacher Katerina (
Maria Bermudez through June 14,
Denise Blasor beginning June 15), they propel Rochelle on a hilarious and deeply moving course of unexpected self-discovery.
"Heart Song is funny but also allows me to explore serious issues about faith, spirituality and mortality that are deeply personal to me," says Sachs. "The play dramatizes how art, in the form of flamenco - like religion or spiritual faith - has the power to heal and transform."
"Flamenco is a life-saver for these women," explains Finney. "It's about duende, finding the deeper soul, unearthing that deep inner voice that lives inside us and can heal our inner wounds."
The Fountain Theatre, recipient of critical acclaim and multiple awards for its
Theater Productions, is also L.A.'s foremost presenter of flamenco. The Fountain's monthly "Forever Flamenco!" series was created by co-artistic director
Deborah Lawlor, who acts as consultant on this production.
"This is the perfect opportunity to marry the Fountain's two audiences," says Lawlor. "With Heart Song, we celebrate both our dedication to creating and producing new plays, as well as our longtime passion and commitment to the art of flamenco."
Set design for Heart Song is by
Tom Buderwitz; lighting design is by Ken Booth; sound design is by Bruno Louchouarn; costume design is by Dana Woods; prop design is by Misty Carlisle; casting is by Cathy Reinking; production stage manager is
Corey Womack; and assistant stage managers are Mitzi Delgado and Terri Roberts. The Fountain Theatre production marks Heart Song's world premiere. A second production will take place at Florida Rep in 2014.
Stephen Sachs' other plays include Cyrano (2012 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award), Bakersfield Mist (2012
Elliot Norton Award for Best New Play, optioned for London's West End and New York), Miss Julie: Freedom Summer (Fountain Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse,
Canadian Stage Company, LADCC and LA Weekly Award nominations), Gilgamesh (Theatre @ Boston Court), Central Avenue (PEN USA Literary Award finalist; Back Stage Garland award for Best Play), Mother's Day, The Golden Gate (Best Play, Drama-Logue), and The Baron in the Trees. His play Sweet Nothing in my Ear (1997 PEN USA Literary Award finalist and Media Access Award winner for Theater Excellence) has been produced in theaters around the country and was made into a TV movie for CBS starring Academy Award winner
Marlee Matlin and
Jeff Daniels.
Open Window (2005 Media Access Award winner for Theater Excellence) had its world premiere at the
Pasadena Playhouse.
Shirley Jo Finney received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award award for her direction of In the Red and Brown Water at the Fountain, where she also directed award-winning productions of From the Mississippi Delta, Central Avenue, Yellowman and The Ballad of Emmett Till. Her work has been seen at the McCarter Theater,
Pasadena Playhouse, Goodman Theater,
Alabama Shakespeare Festival,
Cleveland Playhouse, LA Theater Works,
Crossroads Theater Company, Actors Theater of Louisville Humana Festival,
Mark Taper Forum, American College Theatre Festival, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the State Theater in Pretoria, South Africa, where she helmed the South African opera, Winnie, based on the life of political icon Winnie Mandela. Ms. Finney has been honored with Ovation, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Back Stage Garland, LA Weekly and NAACP awards. For television, she directed several episodes of Moesha, and she garnered the International Black Filmmakers 'Best Director' Award for her short film, Remember Me. In 2007 she received the African American Film Marketplace Award of Achievement for Outstanding Performance and Achievement and leader in Entertainment.
Heart Song opens on Saturday, May 25, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2 pm through July 14. Preview performances take place May 18-24 on the same schedule. Tickets are $34 (reserved seating), except previews which are $15. On Thursdays and Fridays only, seniors over 65 and students with ID are $25. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call
323-663-1525 or go to
www.FountainTheatre.com.
Photos by: Ed Krieger
