SCR Announces Upcoming Productions; Inc. FENCES, IN A GARDEN & CRIMES OF THE HEART

South Coast Repertory Theatre (SCR) has announced its calendar for upcoming productions through May 2010.

FEBRUARY

Through 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

Through February 27 ? 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 27.

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 summerhouse 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 8 ? Julianne Argyros Stage
NEWSCRIPTS READING

by Bill Cain
directed by Jessica Kubzansky

Bill Cain, a writer and Jesuit priest, has come home to care for his dying mother - a funny, tough, maddening woman. Being back home stirs up memories both sweet and bitter of the days when his father was still alive and his brother lived under the same roof. Moving swiftly from past to present and back again, How to Write a New Book for the Bible examines what it means to be a family.
Performance Time: 7:30 pm

Tickets: $12

Honorary Producer: Elaine J. Weinberg
*Please note that the date has changed since the series was first announced

 

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

APRIL

April 11 - May 2 ? Julianne Argyros Stage
DOCTOR CERBERUS
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
directed by Bart DeLorenzo

In the suburbs of Washington, D.C. in the mid-1980s, 13-year-old Franklin Robertson is trying to survive. His parents don't understand him. His older brother torments him non-stop. He'd rather write stories than go on dates. His great comfort comes from the horror movies he watches every Saturday night at midnight, on a black-and-white TV set in his basement, introduced by the enigmatic Dr. Cerberus. In fact, Franklin feels certain that Dr. Cerberus can save his misfit life-if only Franklin could get on his show. A coming-of-age comedy with a twist of terror, Doctor Cerberus is the latest from this "intelligent, compassionate writer" (Variety).

Previews: April 11 - 15, opens April 16, closes May 2.

Tickets: $20-$65 (Previews $20-$55, Regular Run $28-$65). See last page for performance times.

Post Show Discussion Nights: Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21.

Inside the Season: Saturday, May 1, at 10:30am.

ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, May 1, at 2:00pm.

Honorary Producer: Laurie Smits Staude

 

April 23 - April 25
PACIFIC PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

With the world premieres of Julia Cho's The Language Archive and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's Doctor Cerberus as backdrops, SCR presents its 13th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, featuring new plays by established writers in staged readings.

Made possible by a generous grant from The Shubert Foundation, with additional support from the Elizabeth George Foundation.
Honorary Producers: Sophie & Larry Cripe, Yvonne & Damien Jordan, Sue & John Murphy, Linda & Tod White and Thomas B. Rogers & Sarah J. Anderson.
Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the Pacific Playwrights Festival.

MAY

May 7 - June 6 ? Segerstrom Stage

CRIMES OF THE HEART

by Beth Henley

directed by Warner Shook

 

Babe shot her husband because he looked funny, Meg just hit town from Hollywood and a nervous breakdown, Lenny's fast becoming an old maid and today her pet horse got hit by lightning. They're the Magrath sisters of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, and they're the invention of SCR favorite Beth

Henley, who won the Pulitzer Prize for this play. She may heap tragedy after tragedy upon her heroines but does so with love, compassion and a prodigious sense of humor-and then brings out the chocolate cake and lemonade to get them through it all. You'll want to sit right down at the kitchen table and share their laughter.

Previews: May 7 - 13, opens May 14, closes June 6.

Tickets: $24-$59 (Previews $24-$40, Regular Run $34-$59). See last page for performance times.
Post Show Discussion Nights: Wednesday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 25.
Inside the Season: Saturday, May 22, at 10:30am.
ASL interpreted performance for the deaf community: Saturday, June 5, at 2:30pm.
Honorary Producers: Jean and Tim Weiss

May 21 - June 6 ? Julianne Argyros Stage
BEN AND THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Bathsheba Doran
directed by Stefan Novinski

An enchanting story from olden times comes to life as a modern-day fairy tale-through the magic of theatre! Megan and Ben are two kids alone in the world. She earns pennies as a human statue-painted silver-while her little brother draws marvelous portraits with only a stubby pencil. One fateful day, his artwork catches the eye of the malicious Mrs. Crawly, who has a scheme to make millions with a magic paintbrush. When she captures Ben and puts him to work, it's up to Megan to save the day. You'll cheer the way she comes through!

Previews: May 21 - 28, opens May 29, closes June 6.

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.

 

EDUCATION PROGRAMS SCHEDULE - THEATRE CONSERVATORY

March 23 - June 5
YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS / SPRING SESSION
SCR's year-round acting program for youth (grades 3-6) and teens (grades 7-12) includes four levels of training for continuing students only. 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

March 29 - June 5
ADULT PROGRAM / SPRING 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

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.

 

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.

 

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