Orange County Playwrights Alliance Debuts New Works at Modjeska Playhouse Today

Today, December 5 at 2:30pm, the Orange County Playwrights Alliance presents four new plays at a noteworthy new OC theatre with a definite buzz about it - Lake Forest's Modjeska Playhouse, whose founders include two South Coast Repertory teaching artists. Four new one-acts will be presented in staged readings with a $6 suggested donation. Reservations: 714-902-5716.

The Progam

Black Ice by John Lane (Stanton). On a Christmas Eve flight back east, a man contends with memories of his youth and the loved ones that have slipped away from him. Directed by Philip Brickey.

Death and Coffee in the Morning by Arthur Kraft (Seal Beach). A woman confronts her mother over her deceased father's infidelity. Directed by Jill Johnson.

I Can't De-Klein by Eric Eberwein (Huntington Beach). Jeffrey Klein is about to become a father, but he will have very little say in raising his daughter, born to yet another woman he has seduced and fallen out of love with. This life event awakens him to the fact that he must affirm his Jewish identity, for his daughter and himself. Directed by Sara Guerrero.

The Most Important Person in the Universe by Nicholas Thurkettle (Huntington Beach). Somewhere in the galaxy, an intrepid starship crew lands on an alien planet in search of a terrifying weapon, but all they find is a perplexing old stranger with a warm smile, a pot of soup on the stove, and a funny way of making each of them question the purpose of their journey. Directed by Richard Stein. Featuring Paul Freeman, Jeremy Charles Hohn, Jill Cary Martin, Donna Inglima, Richard Stein and Nicholas Thurkettle.

The Venue
Modjeska Playhouse, its artists and its supporters are committed to producing quality professional theatrical works in the Saddleback Valley. The three founding artists (Christopher Sullivan, Joe Alanes and Joshua Stecker) and the members of its Board of Directors were either born in and/or raised and live in South Orange County and are very aware of the need for more cultural arts experiences and education in their local community. The theatre is named after Helena Modjeska, a Shakespearian actress who also called the Saddleback Valley area home, and Modjeska Peak, one of the two peaks that form the Saddleback Ridge. mphstage.org