Kaczmarek, Ekulona, et al Join IN MOTHER WORDS at the Geffen

In Mother Words, an audacious collection of stories by some of theater's most talented contemporary playwrights, makes its West Coast debut with award-winning actors Jane Kaczmarek, Saidah Arrika Ekulona and James Lecesne. Conceived Susan Rose and Joan Stein and helmed by acclaimed director Lisa Peterson, this hilarious night of theater includes works by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley, Pulitzer Prize nominee Lisa Loomer, two-time Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award finalist Michele Lowe, Peabody Award winner Theresa Rebeck, best-selling author LuAnne Rice, as well as Leslie Ayvazian, David Cale, Jessica, Lameece Isaaq, Marco Pennette, Lisa Ramirez, Annie Weisman and Cheryl L. West. These Goldberg playwrights' combined stories give voice to mothers and children of all ages, races and even sexes - resulting in an eye-opening, poignant and irresistible evening, which opens in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on February 23, 2011.

With an emphasis on storytelling, In Mother Words comes alive with a rotating cast of four actors, script in hands, who guide the audience through an evening enhanced by multi-media and movement. Actors Saidah Arrika, who was critically acclaimed for originating the role of Mama Nadi in Ruined in Chicago and off-Broadway, Ekulona and James Lecesne, who created the award-winning one man show Word of Mouth as well as the Academy Award winning short Trevor, will star in the entire three month run of In Mother Words through May 1, 2011. The other two actors will rotate each month with March 16 and April 30. Broadway actress and Emmy Award nominee Jane, best known for her seven-year stint on the television show Malcolm in the Middle, will appear in the first Kaczmarek cast of In Mother Words through March 15. The additional actresses, including the final actress of the first cast, will be announced shortly.

In Mother Words had two workshops in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater in 2008, before it opened with the title  Motherhood Out Loud at Bay Street Theatre in the Hamptons in the summer of 2009; last fall the play had its official world premiere at Hartford Stage. The Geffen Playhouse production, which is the West Coast premiere of the project, has been reworked slightly and will be the first version opening with the title In Mother Words.

Ticket prices for preview performances are $57 and range from $67 to $77 for the regular run. Tickets are on sale now on www.geffenplayhouse.com, by calling (310) 208-5454 or in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office.

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