Rude Mechs' The Method Gun Comes to the Douglas June 14-26

The Austin-based theatre collective Rude Mechs bring their characteristically inventive, lively and playful production, "The Method Gun," to the Kirk Douglas Theatre June 14 through 26, 2011, as part of Center Theatre Group's DouglasPlus.

Created by Rude Mechs, written by Kirk Lynn and directed by Shawn Sides, the cast of "The Method Gun" includes Thomas Graves, Hannah Kenah, Lana Lesley, E. Jason Liebrecht and Shawn Sides. The scenic designer is Leilah Stewart, costume designer is Katey Gilligan, lighting designer is by Brian H. Scott and the composer / sound designer is Graham Reynolds.

"The Method Gun" follows the disciples of the obscure acting teacher Stella Burden long after she has mysteriously moved to South America, leaving behind her acting technique. Her followers begin to question what they have learned and how to finish a project they have been rehearsing for nine years.

Jeanne Claire van Ryzin of Austin American-Statesman said, "'The Method Gun' is nothing short of the best work this theatre collective has done in its 13 years as it has carved out its well-respected reputation on the international indie theatre scene. This is the Rude Mechs doing what they do best: crafting a rich series of stunning and surprising visual moments, lacing those moments with kinetic physical movement and wrapping it all together with a script both lyrical and cheeky. Sweet, irreverent and terribly funny, 'The Method Gun' pays homage to the creative process itself as something of the ultimate 'theatre about theatre' play."

DouglasPlus was introduced in the 2008-2009 Kirk Douglas Theatre season with the goal of broadening the spectrum of what CTG can develop, produce and present at the Douglas. It provides an eclectic mix of theatre choices that utilize both traditional and non-traditional performance spaces. Each presentation has a very limited number of performances which are sold at a modest price.

Tickets for "The Method Gun" are $25, and are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.

Funding for DouglasPlus is provided by The James Irvine Foundation's Artistic Innovation Fund and the Leading for the Future Initiative, a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

Ample free parking is available (weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays) at the City Hall, located behind the theatre on Culver Blvd. and Duquesne Ave.