Jason Alexander to Appear in Conversation At Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, is presenting In Conversation: Jason Alexander, on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 7:30PM. This event will give audiences a behind-the-curtain look at Native Gardens, a new comedy by Karen Zacarías and directed by Mr. Alexander that will be performed at the Playhouse September 5 through 30.

Tickets are $10; free for Pasadena Playhouse members. Tickets for this event, for Native Gardens and membership information are available at pasadenaplayhouse.org, by phone at 626-356-7529, and at the box office at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101.

In Native Gardens horticultures clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. It's the War of the Hoses where cultures collide and mudslinging ensues - literally. The play tells the story of Pablo (Barillas), a rising attorney, and Tania (Meraz), his very pregnant wife who is also a doctoral candidate. They have just purchased a home next to Frank (Davison) and Virginia (Fisher), a well-established D.C. couple with a prize-worthy English garden. They could not feel more welcomed until an impending barbeque for Pablo's colleagues and a delicate disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out comedic border dispute. It turns out that good fences don't always make good neighbors, but they do make for a lot of laughs in this new play.

Alexander said, "In a deceptively simple, deeply appealing play, the writer Karen Zacarías has captured the essence of a global conversation we are now having. The subject is 'who belongs to what community and who controls those communities.' It sounds like that would have to be a heavy weighted evening, but in her deft hands, the play has transformed it into a serio-comic delight. It is impossible to watch without getting involved and wondering what you would do in the same situation. Great characters, great fun and I look forward to sharing it with our theater community."

Zacarías said of her play, "Neighborhood stalwarts Virginia and Frank Butley are overjoyed when Tania and Pablo del Valle move into the fixer-upper next door. But a disagreement about a fence ... and opposing views about gardening ... push these well meaning couples into a battle on the politics of ... PLANTS. It's a big-hearted comedy with a lot of sharp little teeth. By focusing on the disarming nature of gardening, I hope we can laugh and examine many thorny issues taking root in our culture."

Although best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld, Alexander is a veteran theater actor and director having worked as Artistic Director for Reprise Theatre Company and countless Broadway productions. With directorial credits like Everybody Hates Chris and Mike & Molly, this is a one of a kind opportunity for the Playhouse audience to get a sneak peek at the vision behind Native Gardens, the Playhouse's much anticipated Fall comedy,

The cast of Native Gardens features acclaimed actors of both screen and stage: Christian Barillas (Ronaldo on Modern Family), Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison (Willard, Longtime Companion, and A Song at Twilight at Pasadena Playhouse), Frances Fisher (Titanic, Unforgiven, Resurrection), and Jessica Meraz (TNT's Major Crimes). The cast of Native Gardens is rounded out by Julian Armaya, Joshua Duron and Bradley Roa II. Native Gardens runs September 5 through 30 at Pasadena Playhouse; the press opening is September 9.

MORE ABOUT Jason Alexander -- While still in college, Jason Alexander's desire to work as a stage actor in New York came to be with his debut in the original Broadway cast of the Hal Prince/Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along. He continued starring on Broadway in the original casts of Kander and Ebb's The Rink, Neil Simon's Broadway Bound, Rupert Holmes' Accomplice and his Tony Award winning performance in Jerome Robbins' Broadway. Jason also authored the libretto for that show which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical.

After moving to Los Angeles, Jason continued working in the theater, notably serving as the artistic director for the Reprise Theatre Company and for the hit West Coast production of Mel Brook's The Producers in which he starred along with Martin Short. Most recently, Jason returned to Broadway to star in the Larry David comedy Fish in the Dark at the Cort Theater and recently appeared in the John Patrick Shanley's The Portuguese Kid at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

Alexander has also helmed a number of stage productions including: The God of Hell at The Geffen Playhouse; Broadway Bound at the Odyssey; an updated revival of Damn Yankees and The Fantasticks, as well as Sunday in the Park with George for Reprise and most recently the world premiere of Windfall by Scooter Pietsch for the Arkansas Repertory Theater.

Mr. Alexander tours the country and the world performing his one-man show, As Long As You're Asking, a Conversation with Jason Alexander, which contains music, comedy and conversation. He can also be seen in his whimsical salute to Broadway musicals with some of the finest symphony orchestras throughout the United States. You can stay in touch with Jason via Twitter (@IJasonAlexander)

ABOUT The Pasadena Playhouse -- Pasadena Playhouse is a place where people have gathered for 100 years to experience bold and important theater. It is one of the most prolific theaters in American history with a legacy of profound theatrical impact and courageous new work. In 1937, the Playhouse was officially recognized as the State Theater of California for its contribution and commitment to the dramatic arts. Today it continues that tradition of excellence under the helm of producing artistic director Danny Feldman. Dedicated to enriching lives through theater, community programs and learning initiatives, Pasadena Playhouse is a living force in the community.

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