WCE Announces Its 2009 Season, The 'Big'-gest Season Ever!

West Coast Ensemble (WCE) announces its 2009 Season, their "BIG"-gest Season Ever! The 2009 season of this award-winning theatre company will present two stage adaptations starting with THE GRADUATE and the musical version of the 1987 film, BIG; followed by the West Coast premiere of ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS and Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN. Additionally, WCE will produce a bonus show YENTA: Straight from the Mouth,that will be a FREE BONUS SHOW for Season Subscribers.

THE GRADUATE
Adapted by Terry Johnson
Based on the novel by Charles Webb
And the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry

Opening on February 13th will be the stage adaptation of THE GRADUATE. Based on the landmark 1967 film, this is a wry and witty look at the social and sexual mores of the 1960s. Recent graduate Benjamin Braddock comes home from college and promptly becomes embroiled in an affair with the wife of his father's business partner ... and her daughter. With its theme of innocent youth betrayed by a corrupt older generation, this biting satire defined an era and perfectly captured the spirit of the times.

BIG, The Musical
Book by John Weidman, Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby

Opening on May 9th will be the west coast premiere of the rarely produced musical BIG. The 1987 hit movie bursts onstage in this vibrant, tuneful, funny and touching musical by three of Broadway's modern masters. When frustrated adolescent Josh Baskin wishes he were big and wakes up the next morning a 30- year-old man, he discovers there's much more to being an adult than he'd bargained for - and learns we must all grow up at our own pace, in our own time. A witty, moving, insightful book and a dazzling, energetic, heartfelt, contemporary score turn this already classic motion picture fantasy into an unforgettable theatrical experience.

THE WEST COAST PREMIERE of ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS
Written by Brian Christopher Williams

An energy crisis, an unpopular war and the fight for equal rights for gay Americans. Sound familiar? Opening on August 28th will be the west coast premiere of Brian Christopher Williams' ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS. It's 1977, and 15-year-old Horace Poore is trying to make sense of the tumultuous events surrounding him -- and the tumultuous events within him, as his sexual awakening is hastened by images of Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz and former pageant queen/orange juice promoter/anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant. Nudging him along his journey to self-awareness are his idiosyncratic parents, his draft-dodging brother, and his dreamy gym teacher. This lyric comedy is an unconventional look at a young man's coming-of-age set against the cultural flashpoint of the early 1970s.

THREE TALL WOMEN
Written by Edward Albee

Opening on November 6th will be Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning THREE TALL WOMEN. In this haunting and sometimes hilarious play, we meet three women facing and embracing life's travails and disappointments. As each woman's true identity is revealed, we discover the real genius of America's most intriguing contemporary playwright. With his trademark wit and lack of sentimentality, Albee offers us an unblinking portrait of contemporary women - how they live, how they love, what they settle for, and how they die. A multiple Drama Critics, Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle award-winner, THREE TALL WOMEN is an electrifying examination on loss and our ability to go on.

BONUS SHOW (FREE for Season Subscribers)
YENTA: STRAIGHT FROM THE MOUTH

Written by and Starring Annie Korzen

Annie Korzen (SEINFELD's Doris Klompus) thinks the world would be a better place if everyone would just do what she says. Much to her amazement, the world doesn't seem to agree. An engaging evening of comedy. music and constructive criticism from the creator of the world-wide hit YENTA UNPLUGGED. Mostly funny, sometimes serious, sometimes naughty: all of it scientifically calibrated to make you a better person!

WCE FlexPass Season Subscription offers 4 admissions to West Coast Ensemble to be used any time*, for $75, $65 for Seniors. Season Subscriptions may be purchased by calling 323-876-9337 or online at www.westcoastensemble.org.
(* Musical limited to one admission)

Founded in 1981 by Les Hanson, West Coast Ensemble Theatre has been a part of the Los Angeles theatre community for 27 years. A membership theatre ensemble, WCE is dedicated to presenting high quality theatrical productions which address the social, cultural and artistic needs of the Los Angeles community while providing an artistic home for its membership. Recent award-winning productions include Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, Tim Acito's ZANNA, DON'T!, Jim Geoghan's TWO GENTLEMEN OF CORONA, and Adam Guettel and Tina Landau's FLOYD COLLINS.