French Stewart, Rob Nagle Lead Dark Comedy FOREVER BOUND

Are we all savages? Sankalpa Productions presents the world premiere of a darkly funny literary thriller with a surprise twist. Ann Hearn Tobolowsky directs Forever Bound by Steve Apostolina for a May 11 opening at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances continue through June 16.

In Forever Bound, French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun, The Middle, Secrets and Lies) takes on the role of a rare book dealer desperately trying to avoid bankruptcy. The ensemble also features Rob Nagle (The Hothouse at Antaeus; Stupid Kid at the Road; Church & State at the Skylight and in NYC), Emily Goss (Ah, Wilderness at A Noise Within; Clown Bar at Pasadena Playhouse) and the playwright himself.

According to Apostolina, the play is an homage to David Mamet's American Buffalo as well as to George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. "I don't want to give away too much about the plot," he says. "Suffice to say that in an attempt to save his dying business, the book dealer and his friend concoct a risky scheme that goes shockingly awry. Circumstances will ultimately challenge their moral compasses."

"I love the used book insider talk," says Tobolowsky. "It's so specific, and lends authenticity and texture to the story, even as the larger, underlying themes tap into our collective unconscious: the deep dark monsters of our childhood fears, the stuff our nightmares are made of."

The creative team for Forever Bound includes scenic designer Pete Hickok, lighting designer Bosco Flanagan, sound designer Michael Lawshé, costume designer Joanie Coyote, dramaturg Kevin Delin and casting director Raul Clayton Staggs. The production stage manager is Amanda Sauter.

Forever Bound, was developed at The Road Theatre and Antaeus Playwrights Lab. Apostolina's other full-length plays include Flight of the Penguin (Drama-Logue Award for Writing and LA Weekly Award nominee for Best New Play); The American Way (Valley Theatre League Award); a Panto version of The Snow Queen (co-writer), for which he also composed the music and lyrics; and the newly completed Unbound. Some short plays include Cold in Hand (winner at the LaBute New Theater Festival); The Lesson (semi-finalist for the Humana Festival at The Actors Theatre of Louisville); and, most recently, Elevator Repair, which was included in Open Fist's political pop-upOne Year Later. Short films adapted from his plays include Frank 'n Beans, Brisket andPorcupine. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Antaeus Playwrights Lab. As an actor, local stage productions include Lisa Loomer's HomeFree (Road Theatre), Cages (Matrix Theatre), American Way (Ventura Court), Estonia You Fall (Mark Taper Lab), Don't Go Back To Rockville (Victory Theatre), Creeps (Theatre/Theater) and The Steven Weed Show (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). TV and film credits include Revenge, Southland, ER, The Heist, Amen, Blue Desert, Amazing Stories, Frank 'n Beans and Madagascar.

Ann Hearn Tobolowsky's directing credits include the Road Theatre's world premiere of Jami Brandli's Through the Eye of a Needle (March 2018), the Road's 2015 "Off Road" production Anatomy of a Hug, multiple readings for the company's "The Word" series, and their New Playwrights Festival productions of The Specials,The Gift and The Night We Bombed Lincoln Towing. In association with Theatre 40, she directed Holy Days, Driving Miss Daisy, Another Part of the Forest and The Color of Rose. For the Malibu Playhouse, she directed Casting Passero. As an actress, she has been seen in L.A. productions at South Coast Repertory, the LATC, Theatre 40, Missing Piece Theater, Taper Too, CAST Theater and Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, as well as regionally at the Harmony Theatre and Alaska Repertory. Film: Strange Nature (upcoming), Lorenzo's Oil, The Accused and My Father the Hero. Television: The Dollmaker, ER, Designing Women, Evening Shade and Rizzoli & Isles. Ann is a member of the artistic board at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood and has been a member of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills for 38 years. She is married to actor/writer/director Stephen Tobolowsky.

Forever Bound runs May 11 through June 16, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; and Mondays at 8 p.m. Two preview performances are set for Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10, both at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 on Fridays and Saturdays (except opening night, Friday, May 11which is $45 and includes a post-show reception with the cast), $30 on Sundays, and $25 on Mondays. Preview performances are $15. Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. On-site parking is free. For reservations and information, call (323) 960-4429 or go to www.plays411.com/foreverbound.

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