A Noise Within Presents Moliere's THE BUNGLER, 4/7-5/27

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, presents MOLIÈRE's THE BUNGLER, translated by Richard Wilbur, a careening cavalcade of wily servants, dim-witted young lovers and avaricious old men opening Saturday, April 7 and closing Sunday, May 27, 2012 (previews begin Saturday, March 31, with a "Pay What You Can” date on Thursday, April 5.)  Directed by ANW Producing Artistic Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, The Bungler (also known as The Blunderer), which has a very limited production history in the U.S., was Molière’s first romp written in verse and was among the hugely popular touring successes that brought the struggling playwright out of exile in the French provinces and into royal favor in the court of Louis XIV.  

A Noise Within's version of the comedy by eminent Molière translator Richard Wilbur premiered at The Long Wharf in 2000.  Noted composer David O, who previously collaborated on ANW’s productions of Ubu Roi, Man of La Mancha and Oliver Twist, provides original music and sound design for the production.

Adjust your seats, strap yourselves in and get ready to laugh as a foolish young man in love enlists the aid of his clever servant to further his cause, then botches the servant’s every brilliant plot, topping blunder after blunder to head-spinning, hilarious effect.  “Unlike Tartuffe or The Imaginary Invalid, Molière’s swipe at the medical society,” says Rodriguez-Elliott, “this play doesn’t take on any big issues. It’s just sheer free-wheeling joy as Molière’s homage to the spirit of commedia.”

The cast includes Michael A. Newcomer (Lelie), Emily Kosloski (Celie), JD Cullum (Mascarille), Stephen Rockwell (Anselme), Kate Maher (Hippolyte), William Dennis Hunt (Trufaldin), Mitchell Edmonds (Pandolfe), Kevin Stidham (Leandre), Amin El Gamal (Andres), Rafael Goldstein (Ergaste), Kabin Thomas (Messenger/Masquerader) and Claire Marie Mannle (Masquerader).

To enhance the theatre-going experience, A Noise Within offers comprehensive study guides for every production.  Each includes a synopsis, director's notes, general theatre lore, links to other resources and detailed information about the playwright, characters, setting, period, costumes, scenic design, music and more.  The Study Guides are available on-line at http://www.anoisewithin.org/education_studyguides.html.

A Noise Within (ANW) is the only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California and one of only a handful in the entire country dedicated solely to producing classical dramatic literature in the repertory tradition of rotating productions with a resident company of professional artists.  Led by Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, A Noise Within has been hailed by critics as a “premiere classical theatre company,” and an "outstanding ensemble" whose "vibrantly theatrical" "brilliant productions" are "freshly imagined," "exceptional," "invigorating," "riveting," "brilliantly atmospheric," “inspired,” and “masterfully crafted.”  Founded 20 years ago with a passion for the great classics of world literature, ANW quickly established itself as one of the region’s key theatre companies, attracting fiercely loyal audiences and consistently high praise from the media for its productions and as a key force in arts education.  The company has presented more than 140 plays from the classics of world literature, each season producing works from authors ranging from Shakespeare and Molière to Ibsen, O’Neill and Shaw to Miller and Williams.

A Noise Within launched its milestone 2011-12 Season and 20th Anniversary in its permanent new home, a 33,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art venue in Pasadena, on Saturday, October 29, 2011.  The 283-seat theatre's thrust stage, expansive backstage area and cutting-edge technology, accommodating productions both epic and intimate, provide tremendous opportunities for artistic exploration.  At the same time, it preserves A Noise Within's unique theatrical communion between actors and audiences, with no seat further from the stage than seven rows.  The venue, already being hailed as an arts anchor for East Pasadena, is located in the former Stuart Pharmaceutical building, a historic, mid-century modern masterpiece designed by celebrated architect Edward Durell Stone, known for landmark buildings around the country including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and Radio City Music Hall in New York.  Constructed in the mid-1950s, the Stuart Pharmaceutical building was listed on the National Register in 1998 and features a striking landscape garden designed by Thomas Church.  The completely new three-story theatre – which retains the building's original façade -- features support facilities, offices, rehearsal space, a classroom, considerable storage for costumes, props and scenery and large restrooms.  A Noise Within's long history of fiscal stability is highlighted by its 19 seasons "in the black" as well as its ability in a challenging economic climate to raise close to $13.5 million for a successful capital campaign.

Single tickets are $46 (Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees); $42 (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and Saturday matinees); and $34 (previews).  Groups (10 or more) are $27 (weekdays and Saturday matinees), and $32 (Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees); School Groups (10 or more) are $16 (weekdays and matinees), or $20 (Saturday evenings).  "Pay What You Can" tickets for the Thursday, April 5 performance, which allow patrons to pay what they can afford, are sold at the box office the day of the performance for cash only on a first-come, first-served basis based on availability, with a limit of two per person.

A NOISE WITHIN is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA  91107.  Free self-parking is located in the Sierra Madre Villa Metro parking structure, with entrances on northbound Sierra Madre Villa Avenue or North Halstead Street. To  purchase tickets, call (626) 356-3100 ext. 1or visit www.ANoiseWithin.org.

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