A Noise Within Presents THE ILLUSION, 3/17-5/19

By: Kelsey Denette Feb. 27, 2012

A Noise Within (ANW) presents THE ILLUSION by Pierre Corneille, adapted by Tony Kushner and directed by Casey Stangl, opening Saturday, March 17 and closing Saturday, May 19, 2012 (previews begin Saturday, March 10).

In a story that "explores what is reality and what is not, an anxious father seeks to reunite with his estranged son and enlists the services of a powerful sorcerer who conjures up provocative images from the young man’s life that may or may not be quite what they seem. Tony Kushner (Angels in America) triumphantly revitalizes this 17th century theatrical fairy tale, first told by French classical dramatist Pierre Corneille in 1639, and the intoxicating result is poetic and profound, timely and transcendent, comic and moving, and a luminous paean to live theatre."

A "Pay What You Can” date, which allows patrons to purchase tickets for what they can afford, is Thursday, March 15.

“Although set in the 17th century, the play provides a contemporary look at love in its many incarnations making us laugh and cry about everything we go through for love,” says Stangl. “It’s a journey with wonderful language, engaging characters and magical twists and surprises.”

The cast includes Nick Ullett (Pridamant), Jeff Doba (Amanuensis and Geronte), Deborah Strang (Alcandre), Graham Hamilton (Calisto/Clindor/Theogenes), Devon Sorvari (Melibea/Isabelle/Hippolyta), Abby Craden (Elicia/Lyse/Clarina), Freddy Douglas (Pleribo/Adraste/Florilame) and Alan Blumenfeld (Matamore).

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, March 15 performance 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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