NEVA to Close Out Studio SCR Series, 6/19-23

The internationally acclaimed drama Neva by Chilean writer Guillermo Calderón wraps up the Studio SCR series at South Coast Repertory this month, with a six-performance run, June 19-23. Tickets are $25-35. More information is available online: www.scr.org.

The production marks the first-ever collaboration by Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory and La Jolla Playhouse.

In its original Spanish language version, play has received numerous awards, including Best Play of the Year from the Art Critics Circle of Chile, 2006; three Altazor Awards, including Best Director and Best Playwright, 2007; and the Jose Nuez Martin Award from the Facultad de Letras Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, 2008.

"Neva is bold, theatrical, funny and fierce-a unique evening of theatre," said Marc Masterson, SCR artistic director. "When I saw it in a Spanish language production two years ago, I was blown away and wanted to bring a new English language production to our audiences."

Masterson-along with Christopher Ashley (La Jolla Playhouse), Oskar Eustis (Public Theatre, which already has staged the play) and Diane Rodriguez (Center Theatre Group-saw Teatro en el Blanco's Spanish-language production of Neva at the 2011 Radar L.A. festival.

"We all fell in love with the play," recalled Masterson. "When we met afterward, we decided on the spot to work together to realize its production in an English translation. By joining forces, we have expanded the opportunities for so many more people to see it."

Neva is set in the winter of 1905. Olga Knipper-Anton Chekhov's widow-and actors Masha and Aleko gather in a rehearsal room as revolution rings throughout St. Petersburg. Outside in the streets, striking workers struggle against the tsarist regime, while inside, the actors play out scenes from their own lives and try to find the meaning of art in turbulent times.

While Neva is set in Russia, it is infused with echoes of Calderón's early life in Chile. He grew up during turbulent times, under the repressive governments of Salvador Allende and Augusto Pinochet. The playwright's family felt the effects of political violence when federal security police killed Calderón's uncle, which the family likened to a wound that would not heal.

The Neva cast features Sue Cremin, Ruth Livier and Ramón de Ocampo. The creative team includes Sandra Burns, set consultant and costume designer; Mark B. Simon, Joanne DeNaut and Dana Harrel, casting; Kristen Parker, stage manager; and Diane Rodriguez, associate producer. The English translation of Neva is by Andrea Thome.

For complete information, visit: www.scr.org.

Tickets: May be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or by visiting the box office at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Performances run June 19-23. Ticket prices range from $25-$35.

South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Folino Theatre Center, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Parking is available on Park Center Drive, off Anton Blvd.