South Coast Rep's 'How the World Began' Runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 16

An evolutionist teacher and a creationist student clash in the world premiere of Catherine Trieschmann's How the World Began, which runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 16 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

The play is being produced in association with Women's Project Theater in New York.

Sarah Rafferty (TV's "Suits") plays biology teacher Susan Pierce, who has just arrived in tornado-ravaged Plainview, Kansas, from New York City. When she unthinkingly implies that creationism is "gobbledy gook," she riles the devout but troubled Micah (Jarrett Sleeper of SCR's Doctor Cerberus). That, in turn, disturbs Micah's wily, good-natured guardian, Gene (Time Winters, Camelot, National Tour.) Soon the entire town is up in arms, and Susan's job is in jeopardy.

Director Daniella Topol describes the play as a conversation starter that asks audiences to think about what they believe, and how they think about others who believe differently.

Topol is a New York-based director whose recent credits include Rajiv Joseph's Monster at the Door (Alley Theatre), Anne Ziegler's Photograph 51 (Theatre J) and Willy Holtzman's The Morini Strand (City Theatre). She will also direct the Women's Project Theater production of How the World Began in New York in January.

Catherine Trieschmann lives and writes in Kansas, and is author of The Bridegroom of Blowing Rock, crooked, The World of Others, Hot Georgia Sunday and Small and Selfish Creatures. She wrote the screenplay for Angel's Crest, which premiered at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. How the World Began is also slated for production by Out of Joint theatre in London in November.

The artistic team is comprised of Sara Ryung Clement (set and costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Darron L West (sound design and original music), Kelly L. Miller (dramaturgy), and Jennifer Ellen Butler (stage manager).

Bette and Wylie Aitken are the Honorary Producers. OC Weekly is the media sponsor.

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