Kate Fodor, Michael Friedman, Melissa James Gibson, et. al. Featured in Center Theatre Group's DouglasPlus Series

The Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles has announced its lineup for the 2009-2010 DouglasPlus series, according to a report in the Los Angels Times.

The series opens with Kate Fodor's ‘Rx' (October 30-November 1), which focuses on a magazine editor who enters a clinical drug trial to seek a cure for workplace depression and ends up finding romance. Matt Shakman directs the production.

Additional works will include Geoff Sobelle, Trey Lyford and Steve Cuiffo's Next Stop Amazingland (November 4-8), which follows illusionists searching for personal truth in their world of smoke and mirrors; The Lunacy Commission (November 7-8), a cabaret event created by Lars Jan and his L.A.-based art lab Early Morning Opera; and Jessica Goldberg's Just War (November 14), to be directed by Kate Whoriskey and tells the true story of a man whose son died in Iraq.

Schedule for the DouglasPlus Series is as follows:

"Rx" -- 8 p.m. Oct. 30, Nov. 1; $10
"Next Stop Amazingland" -- 8 p.m. Nov, 4, 6 and 8; $20
"Just War" -- 8 p.m. Nov. 14; $10
"The Lunacy Commission" -- 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Nov. 7 and 8; $20 (drink ticket included)
"Darwin: An Adventure for All Ages" -- 11 a.m. Jan. 23; 3 p.m. Jan. 30; $20
"Post Office" -- 8 p.m. Feb.17, 18, 20 and 21; $20

The DouglasPlus series was first introduced last spring and included works by Kirk Douglas ("Before I Forget"), Mike Daisey ("How Theater Failed America" and "The Last Cargo Cult"), Los Angeles playwright Michael Sargent ("The Projectionist") and hip-hop theatre artist Matt Sax ("Venice"), along with a special youth theatre piece ("Darwin"). DouglasPlus programming aims to  include an eclectic mix of theatre choices ranging from fully-staged productions to bare-bones workshops and readings. The emphasis is on material in development, with a nod to local artists. Shows are presented for limited runs at reduced prices. Current artistic director is Michael Ritchie

Center Theatre Group, a non-profit organization, is one of the largest and most active theatre companies in the nation, programming subscription seasons year-round at the 739-seat Mark Taper Forum and the 1,600 to 2,000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center of Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to providing theatre of the highest caliber to the rich, diverse communities of Southern California and beyond, CTG supports a significant number of play development and arts education initiatives.