Photo Flash: First Look at IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, Opening Tomorrow at the Matrix Theatre

Two estranged brothers face off in search of the truth about the troubled legacy of their shared past. Larry Moss directs the Los Angeles premiere of In A Dark Dark House by Neil LaBute, opening July 26 at the Matrix Theatre.

Aaron McPherson (A Million Ways to Die in the West), Shaun Sipos (The Vampire Diaries,Melrose Place) and Annie Chernecky (My Synthesized Life) star in LaBute's thought-provoking and challenging tragicomedy that explores the darker facets of human relationships and the covert, unwritten bonds that tie families together. Adapted from his short story, "Swallowing Bicycles," the playwright has called this powerful piece his most personal.

"This play is much closer to me than some of my others," he writes in an introduction to the published version. "It is still packed with fiction, much of the story leaping out of my active imagination, but there is a kernel of hard fact and truth at the center of the tale. I too grew up in a dark house, one that was shrouded with shadows and sadness, and I understand quite deeply what the brothers in the play are going through."

"As dark as the subject matter is, it also contains an amazing amount of hope and humor," says Moss. "There's nothing more fascinating than watching members of a family talking about their own dysfunction, and this play captures that in a wonderful way. This story of two adult children of abusive parents trying to find a way to mend the past through understanding each other's pain is, simply, beautifully written. I jumped at the chance to direct it."

In A Dark Dark House had its world premiere in 2007 at New York's Lucille Lortel Theater, produced by the MCC Theater where LaBute is Playwright-In-Residence. "'House' ranks with Mr. LaBute's best work for stage and screen," wrote Ben Brantley in The New York Times. The play opened at London's Almeida Theatre a year later in a production directed by Michael Attenborough. Working closely with Attenborough, LaBute created a substantially different version of the play for the London production, and that is the version that Broken Hand Productions brings to Los Angeles this July.

Set design for In A Dark Dark House is by John Iacovelli, lighting design is by Dan Reed, sound design is by Cricket S. Myers, props are by Ina Shumaker and Bruce Dickinson; and costume design is by Kim Overton. Christopher Basile is production stage manager, and Caitlin Renée Campbell produces for Broken Hand Productions.

In A Dark Dark House opens on July 26 and continues through Aug. 31, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundaysat 3 p.m. A Q & A with the cast will follow the matinee performances on July 27 and Aug. 3. There will be three preview performances, on Wednesday, July 23; Thursday, July 24; and Friday, July 25, all at 8 p.m. General admission is $34.99. The Matrix Theatre is located at 7657 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA90046 (west of Stanley Ave., between Fairfax and La Brea). For reservations and information, call 323-960-7612 or go to www.darkhousela.com. (Please note:In A Dark Dark House contains adult language and subject matter and is recommended for mature audiences.)

Photos by Bobby Quillard

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