EXIT 10 Closes At Theater 68 1/23/2011

EXIT 10,a haunting work of classic Americana by actor-poet-singer-songwriter-inveterate road warrior Daniel Dean Darst (AKA Danny Darst), longtime collaborator and confidant of legendary director Robert Altman, will close on January 23 at Theater 68 in Hollywood. Michael Altman, eldest son of the late film icon, makes his theatrical directing debut. A poignant tale of romance between a man born to heed the call of a freight train and the woman who loves him, EXIT 10 arrives with a nod to mentor, father and friend and continues the legacy of the Altman name. EXIT 10 includes 8 original songs written and performed by Danny Darst. 

Danny Darst unravels the semi-autobiographical tale of alter ego, Mike Talburt, abandoned as a child to make his way among gypsies and migrants in the post Dust Bowl era of the 1950s. He leaves us at the threshold of a truck stop garage at Exit 10 where actor Paul Teodo now inhabits the role of young Mike. Strong, handsome and streetwise, he's invested in a steady job. Side deals with pimps and hookers up the ante so Mike can buy fancy gifts for the long-legged Lydia and drive her around in his Lincoln Continental with the top down. When Lydia shimmies close to hold him tight, Mike feels a sense of belonging that's long escaped him.

Hit country music singer/songwriter Danny Darst made his theater debut in the play, 2 By South, under the direction of Robert Altman. His performance earned critical acclaim by the New York Times calling it "a chilling, hallucinatory embodiment of the protagonist's phantom dreams." The experience as well as acting and/or composing and performing music for films by Robert Altman (Cookie's Fortune, Short Cuts) and Jonathan Demme (Manchurian Candidate, Silence of the Lambs) led him to weave music into his romanticized reminiscences to create EXIT 10. Four years after Robert Altman's death, Darst requested that fellow road warrior and poet Michael Altman, (lyrics to "Suicide Is Painless" from the film MASH) begin his own career as a director helming Darst's first work as a playwright.

"Danny's story, words and songs evoke a special wistfulness and romance that challenged me to bring it to the stage," said director Michael Altman. "It's been a long time coming, but it seems it's finally found its home. I'm proud and humbled to be making my directorial debut with such an honest work of theater."

Danny Darst stars as Mike Talburt and performs several of his original songs, which are featured on the CD, Danny Darst (songs from EXIT 10 the play). He heads an ensemble cast that includes Paul Teodo, Mercedes Manning, Jean St. James and Ed Dyer.

EXIT 10 will be performed at Theater 68 in Hollywood at 5419 Sunset Boulevard (near Western Ave.) in Hollywood. Rooftop parking is available. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the websitehttp://www.EXIT10theplay.com or call 323.501-0511.

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