South Coast Repertory Announces Works for 12/09 Through 3/10

The South Coast Repertory has announced its lineup for upcoming productions from December 2009 through March 2010.

DECEMBER

Through December 26
Segerstrom Stage
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jerry Patch
directed by John-David Keller

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Orange County's beloved holiday family tradition, returns to South Coast Repertory for its 30th incarnation. Hal Landon Jr., who stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, has entertained audiences for 30 years with his memorable portrayal of the world's most celebrated miser.

Tickets: $34-$59. See last page for performance times.
Honorary Producers: Nancy and Kim Kelly
Corporate Honorary Producer: US Bank

JANUARY

January 3 - January 24
Julianne Argyros Stage
West Coast Premiere
ORDINARY DAYS
music and lyrics by Adam Gwon
directed by Ethan McSweeny

A promising star plucked from the new breed of composers in America, Adam Gwon is the latest winner of the Fred Ebb Award for Excellence in Musical Theater Songwriting. With Ordinary Days he hit the boards running in the USA and the UK, causing critics to sit up and take notice of its spare, fast-paced and lyrical form. From the bustling streets to the quiet rooftops, four young New Yorkers trying to find their way become intricately connected through a series of funny and fortuitous events that prove ordinary days can be simply extraordinary.
Previews: January 3 - 7, opens January 8, closes January 24.
Tickets: $20-$65 (Previews $20-$55, Regular Run $28-$65). See last page for performance times.

Post Show Discussion Nights: Tuesday, January 12, and Wednesday, January 13.
Inside the Season - Saturday, January 16, at 10:30am.
ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, January 23, at 2:00pm.
Honorary Producers: Pam and Jim Muzzy

January 22 - February 21
Segerstrom Stage
FENCES
by August Wilson
directed by Seret Scott

One of the most powerful forces in theatre, August Wilson brilliantly chronicled the black experience in 20th-Century America. In this Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a hardworking family man in the 1950s meets life head-on with dignity, humor and eloquence, but not without frequent stumbles. Through it all, he asks his family to stand by him. Often, their devotion is tested, and with reason, but in the end this is a strong and honest family. We, the audience, recognize that and embrace them. The New York Times led the praise with this simple accolade: "Gripping."

Previews: January 22 - 28, opens January 29, closes February 21.

Tickets: $24-$59 (Previews $24-$40, Regular Run $34-$59). See last page for performance times.
Post Show Discussion Nights: Wednesday, February 3, and Tuesday, February 9.
Inside the Season: Saturday, February 6, at 10:30am.
ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, February 20, at 2:30pm.
Honorary Producers: Barbara and Bill Roberts
Corporate Honorary Producer: Bank of America

FEBRUARY

February 5 - February 21
Julianne Argyros Stage
A WRINKLE IN TIME
adapted by John Glore
from the book by Madeleine L'Engle
directed by Shelley Butler

A beloved 20th-century children's classic comes to life in a new adaptation by SCR's own John Glore. In the tradition of Narnia and Harry Potter, this fantasy adventure sends Meg Murray and her little brother, Charles Wallace, on a quest across space and time to rescue their father from the evil, all-powerful IT. Meg and Charles have the magical help of three eccentric sisters named Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Whatsit, but in the end they must rely on their own resources to accomplish their task. This highly theatrical adaptation will offer a celebration of the art of story-telling and the power of imagination.

Previews: February 5 - 12, opens February 13, closes February 21.

Tickets: $17-$29 (Previews $17-$25, Regular Run $22-$29). See last page for performance times.

Theatre for Young Audiences is made possible in part by grants from The Nicholas Endowment and The Segerstrom Foundation. Target Family Performance: Saturday, February 13, at 11:00am. Corporate Honorary Producer: Emulex

February 26 - March 7
Nicholas Studio
JESUS HATES ME
by Wayne Lemon
directed by Oanh Nguyen

The Chance Theater's acclaimed Jesus Hates Me is set somewhere in South Central Texas at the "Blood of the Lamb" Miniature Golf Course. Ethan, an ex-high school football star, is desperate to find identity, sanity, faith and freedom under the gaze of a Wal-Mart mannequin transformed into Jesus on the cross at the 17th hole. The play covers one insightful, unpredictable and hilarious week in Ethan's life as he tries to escape from his over-zealous, bi-polar mother, a suicidal dishwasher, a pot-smoking cop and a beer-swillin' good ol' boy, not to mention the possible love of his life, and, of course, the J-man himself. A Chance Theater production presented by SCR.

Tickets: $35, with discounts available for students, seniors, educators and groups of 10 or more. Performances run at 8:00p.m. on Feb. 26, 27, March 5 and 6, and at 2:30p.m. Feb. 28 and March 7.

MARCH

March 7 - March 28
Julianne Argyros Stage
IN A GARDEN
by Howard Korder
directed by David Warren

A summer house will adorn the garden of the Culture Minister of Aqaat, designed by American architect Andrew Hackett. If he should live so long. The Culture Minister takes a while to make up his mind and likes nothing better than to skirmish over the renderings-and his favorite Hollywood movies. Will the house be built before the two men, like their countries, change loyalties and find themselves caught up in history? In this cat and mouse game set against a global background, cultures clash and world views are turned upside down.

Previews: March 7 - 11, opens March 12, closes March 28.

Tickets: $20-$65 (Previews $20-$55, Regular Run $28-$65). See last page for performance times. Post Show Discussion Nights: Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17.

Inside the Season: Saturday, March 20, at 10:30am.

ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, March 27, at 2:00pm. Honorary Producers: Tom and Marilyn Sutton

March 20 - March 28
Nicholas Studio
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
adapted by Thomas Olson
from the book by Margery Williams
directed by Mercy Vasquez
performed by SCR's Junior Players

Is there a child anywhere who hasn't been touched by this classic story that brings toys to life? Now, they'll really come to life-the horse, the bear, the clown and all the rest-onstage, in this sparkling play about a boy named James and the toy rabbit he got for Christmas and immediately put away. But as all children know, if a toy is loved for a long time it will become real, which is what finally happens to the velveteen rabbit in this story of love, loss, and then-a little bit of magic.

Tickets: $9.

Performance times: March 20, 4:00pm, March 21, 27 and 28, 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

March 26 - April 25
Segerstrom Stage
THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE
by Julia Cho
directed by Mark Brokaw

George is a brilliant linguist. But he has a communication problem-with his wife, who's about to leave him, and with his assistant, who can't bring herself to leave him. This quirky comedy, by one of America's most exciting young playwrights, proves love is the one language that can leave us all at a loss for words.

Previews: March 26 - April 1, opens April 2, closes April 25.
Tickets: $24-$59 (Previews $24-$40, Regular Run $34-$59). See last page for performance times.
Post Show Discussion Nights: Wednesday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 13.
Inside the Season: Saturday, April 10, at 10:30am.
ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, April 24, at 2:30pm.
Honorary Producer: The Playwrights Circle

EDUCATION PROGRAMS SCHEDULE - THEATRE CONSERVATORY

January 11 - March 2
ADULT PROGRAM / WINTER SESSION
Students 18 and over choose from a variety of classes developed to suit individual pace and interests. Curriculum ranges from Improvisation to Fundamentals of Acting to Actors Workshop for career-minded students. Most sessions also include classes in Playwriting. Classes meet weekly 7-10 pm. Call (714) 708-5510 for schedule.
Tuition: $295

January 12 - March 20
YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS / WINTER SESSION
SCR's year-round acting program for youth (grades 3-6) and teens (grades 7-12) includes four levels of training with entry levels at all ages for students with no previous experience. After completing Year II, students may audition for the SCR Players, an advanced ensemble group whose training culminates with public performances each spring on one of SCR's stages. All sessions are held in SCR's education facilities within the Folino Theatre Center.
Tuition: $260

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EDUCATION PROGRAMS, CALL (714) 708-5577

PERFORMANCE TIMES

2009/2010 Season
Segerstrom Stage: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday - Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm.

Julianne Argyros Stage: Tuesday - Sunday evenings at 7:45 pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.

Theatre for Young Audiences: Previews: Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 4:30 pm, Sunday at
2:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Regular Run: Friday at 7:00 pm; Saturday at 11:00 am, 2:00 and 4:30 pm; Sunday at 2:00 and 4:30 pm.

A Christmas Carol: Dec 17 THU at 7:30 pm, Dec 18 FRI at 7:30 pm, Dec 19 SAT at 2:30 pm, Dec 19 SAT at 7:30 pm, Dec 20 SUN at 12:00 pm, Dec 20 SUN at 4:00 pm, Dec 21 MON at 7:30 pm, Dec 22 TUE at 7:30 pm, Dec 23 WED at 7:30 pm, Dec 24 THU at 12 pm, Dec 24 THU at 4 pm, Dec 26 SAT at 12 pm, Dec 26 SAT at 4 pm.

TICKET INFORMATION

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