Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble Presents WAR CYCLE at Powerhouse Theatre, 8/19-9/11

The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble takes on the ambitious task of presenting three original plays that each introduce new perspectives on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; together the three plays are refered as THE WAR CYLE. From August 19th to September 11th, for the first time ever, the Ensemble presents WOUNDED, NATION OF TWO, and the workshop production of GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD back to back to back at the Powerhouse Theatre. Acknowledging and embracing that war is more than shock and awe and the strategy on the battlefield, THE WAR CYCLE views war's effects on the American people on the most intimate of levels.

Tickets for WOUNDED and NATION OF TWO are $20.00. Tickets for GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD are $5. Tickets for the special performances on September 11th are $11. To purchase tickets, visit www.latensemble.com. WOUNDED is being performed August 19th and 27th, September 3rd and 9th at 8PM with its special performance on September 11th at 1PM. NATION OF TWO performs August 20th and 26th, September 4th and 10th at 8PM with its special performance on September 11th at 4:30PM. GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD performs on August 21st and 28th, September 2nd at 8PM with its special performance on September 11th at 8PM.

Beginning with interviews with men and women wounded in battle, widows, and soldiers, the Ensemble has compiled years of research and development into a weekend of theatre that tells relevant, important, and emotional stories covering all aspects of war and its often messy aftermath. From politics to religion, from love to grief, from Afghanistan to the home front, this collection of plays poses difficult, divisive questions that are critical to the American experience of modern war. THE WAR CYCLE tells stories that affect its audiences in a way that should not be missed. THE WAR CYCLE opens August 19th at the Powerhouse Theatre and runs through September 11th.

Collaboratively conceived and written by Tom Burmester and the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and directed by Tom Burmester and Yael Itzkowitz, WOUNDED is based on true accounts of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Set in the Fisher House rehabilitation home at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC, the main point of re-entry for wounded soldiers, sailors, and Marines, Wounded follows four young veterans and their families on their quest to readjust to life back home and get on with lives newly transformed by disability. With their time in the war behind them, these men and women discover that their real battle is about to begin.

Collaboratively conceived by the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble, written by Artistic Director Tom Burmester, and directed by Danika Sudik and Tom Burmester, NATION OF TWO inspired by true accounts of the families of soldiers fallen in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. NATION OF TWO follows the lives of the Harper family as they prepare to scatter the ashes of 24 year old Lt. Michael Harper on the anniversary of his combat-related death in the Iraq War. A surprise visit from a soldier who served with Michael at the time of his death ignites a powder keg of emotion and throws the family into crisis as they strive to preserve their memories of Michael while learning to let go.

Audiences are invited to take part in the development of the newest play in THE WAR CYCLE by joining the Ensemble after each performance to share their feedback. This workshop production, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD, is the newest play in The War Cycle and the first to take place in the Theatre of War. On the brink of civilization in Eastern Afghanistan, deep in the deadly Korengal Valley, First Squad walks the tightrope between boredom and terror everyday. In a valley lit by firestorms of chaos, courage can be proved by a casual walk to the porta-shitter. As First Squad navigates the human terrain, winning hearts and minds from the Taliban, a new addition to their team threatens their mission, the populace, and their dreams of home. GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD will take you on a tour of duty -- as Americans -- that will shine a light on our mission, our morals, and what we do -- or don't do -- to keep our freedom.

Tom Burmester, founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and Managing Artistic Director of the Powerhouse Theatre, has produced many productions for the stage including Wounded and Survived by Tom Burmester, Kindred by Daniel Keleher, I Gelosi and The Heretic Mysteries by David Bridel, Monkey Madness by Daisuke Tsuji, Quixotic and Adeline's Play by Kit Steinkellner and The Water Engine by David Mamet. Tom earned his MFA in Directing from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to staging theater works of high artistic integrity while endeavoring to remain broadly accessible and genuinely entertaining. The ensemble holds fast in its commitment to strike a balance between providing a venue for emerging artists and veteran artists; between the works of new playwrights, and revisiting timely and important classics.

The Powerhouse Theatre is housed, appropriately enough, in the Powerhouse, a historical building originally erected in 1910 for the Southern California Edison Electrical Plant for the city of Santa Monica. Committed to nurturing innovative new work, the Powerhouse has introduced Los Angeles audiences to critically-acclaimed world premieres such as the multiple award-winning The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World; the scathingly funny The Family Room by Aron Coleite; Golden Prospects: A Los Angeles Melodrama by Colin Campbell; and A Series of Comedic Lectures with John Lehr.

Immediately following each of the opening night performances on August 19th, 20th, and 21st, the audience is invited to join the company for the Opening Night Reception on the deck of the Powerhouse.

Following each performance of Gospel According to First Squad, there will be a reception and talk-back. Talk-backs are scheduled August 21st and 28th, September 2nd and 11th. On Saturday, September 11th, the entire WAR CYCLE will be presented together, beginning with WOUNDED at 1PM, NATION OF TWO, at 4:30PM, and GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE FIRST SQUAD at 8PM. Tickets for all three shows on this day are only $33 per person.

The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off Main Street between Rose and Marine. Guests in wheelchairs should call in advance to make arrangements. For information, the public should visit www.latensemble.com.

 

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