3rd Annual SCI-FEST L.A. Returns in May

SCI-FEST L.A., the Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, the first of its kind worldwide, returns for the third year to Hollywood's Acme Theatre (135 N. LaBrea Ave) from May 5 - 29.

Co-founded by veteran theatre producers, Michael Blaha and Lee Costello, and actor, David Dean Bottrell (Mad Men, Boston Legal), SCI-FEST L.A.: The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival debuted in May of 2014 to sold-out houses and critical acclaim with NPR describing is as "a chilling freakout," and LA Weekly saying it's "a nod to the storytelling tradition that live theater embodies so well...science fiction is no longer a stranger to LA stages."

For the third amazing year, Sci-Fest will transport audiences to undiscovered dimensions. The 2016 line-up of mini-masterpieces, includes pieces written by legendary musician Janis Ian, esteemed author Neil Gaiman, master of horror Clive Barker and directed by acclaimed theatre and television director Gloria Muzio.

Sci-Fest LA's mission is to produce an annual festival of new, beautifully realized, visually compelling sci-fi one-act plays featuring many well-known actors from beloved sci-fi and fantasy franchises and to create new Sci-Fi-themed literature and entertainment.

Bottrell recognizes that much of the success of the festival is also due largely in part to the cultural heritage that the Sci-Fi genre holds right here in LA.

"I think a big part of why we sell out is that LA has such a rich Sci-Fi history. It's not only the hometown of Ray Bradbury, but it was LA's TV and film industry that transformed Sci-Fi from pulp to the billion dollar global industry it is today. We love celebrating that heritage every year."

Tickets go on sale for $26 each starting April 7, 2016 through May 29, 2016) and can be purchased through the festival's website. For more information and to buy tickets, please go to http://www.sci-fest.com/

The full line-up of 2016 of featured shows is as follows:

A Midnight Clear

by Michael J. Himstedt

A divorced man's attempt to share Christmas with his estranged son is thwarted by sinister, otherworldly forces.

Arrival

by Spencer Green

Stranded for decades between dimensions, a desperately lonely astronaut suddenly has a surprise guest.

Certain Unexplainable Events

By Cody Daigle

Three troubled teenagers have very different accounts of the night their friend disappeared.

Love Life Alpha

By Nathan Wellman

A young couple find it tough to mend their damaged relationship under the constant, watchful eye of "Alpha."

Prayerville

By Janis Ian

Adapted by Lisa Beth Koveetz

A futuristic tale of love, honor and unwanted duty played in a distant, war-torn galaxy. Based on the short story by the iconic singer-composer of "At Seventeen."

Randomized Skin

By Chuck Armstrong & Charlie Stockman

A trio of quirky aliens fiercely interrogate a captive astronaut, determined to get answers to their questions about humanity.

Shoggoth's Old Peculiar

By Neil Gaiman

Adapted by Michael Bernard

A naïve American student stumbles onto a creepy, uncharted seaside village that hides a terrifying secret. Literary legend Neil Gaiman's chilling homage to the work of Lovecraft.

Winged Cupid, Painted Blind

By Rob Hollocks

The love between two married scientists is put to the ultimate test when they are trapped in a deadly race against time.

The Yattering and Jack

By Clive Barker; Adapted by Matt Murray

Depsite his best demonic efforts, a "Yattering" dispatched from Hell cannot seem to break the spirit of his designated victim. Based on the classic short story by one of Sci-Fi and Fantasy's grandmasters.

Zebulon's Calling

By John P. Dowgin

A seemingly chance encounter between two strangers unleashes unexpected calamity.