See Kay Theatre Presents THE GIFT HORSE, Opens 4/23-5/24

See Kay Theatre presents the West Coast Premiere of THE GIFT HORSE, written by Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly) and directed by Benjamin Haber Kamine. THE GIFT HORSE will open on Friday, April 23 and run through Sunday, May 24th at the Working Stage Theatre, 1516 N. Gardner Street in Hollywood.

A cello resonates as Ruth, an African American artist and teacher, struggles to deal with the men in her life. Whether learning to love a friend suffering from HIV or reeling from memories of her father's abuse, Ruth discovers how to appreciate what she has while she has it. Penned by Lydia R. Diamond (Stick Fly) and winner of the Theodore Ward Playwriting Award, The Gift Horse follows Ruth from college, through therapy, into marriage and finally motherhood as she and the cellist explore what makes love easy and what makes love hard.

Playwright Lydia R. Diamond recently received an award at the 31st Annual L.A. Weekly Theater Awards for her play Stick Fly, which was presented by the Matrix Theatre Company in Los Angeles last year. Several of Diamond's plays were commissioned by the Steppenwolf Theatre, including her adaptation of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. She is the resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists and currently teaches playwriting at Boston University.

Ajarae Coleman (Carapace Isle at the Raven) stars as Ruth, the young artist and teacher. She is joined by Nina Daniels (On The Threshold at The Public Theater) as the cello-playing Jordan, Arturo Aranda (Luisa Fernanda at the Million Dollar Theater) as Ruth's best friend Ernesto, and Horace V. Rogers (The Color Purple at the Pantages Theatre) as Ruth's husband Brian. Steven Koller (Angels in America at the InterNational Theatre in Vienna, Austria) plays the frighteningly perfect Bill and Abraham Smith (Power of Sail, Trinity Repertory) completes the ensemble as warm and intelligent Noah.

Benjamin Haber Kamine returns to direct this production after his successful run of Don Nigro's Seascape with Sharks and Dancer, which played at Studio/Stage in Hollywood earlier this year. The creative team includes scenic designer Aviva Fersht, lighting designer Austen Hoogen, and costume designer Talia Tsouros-Cadabona. Production Stage Manager is Mallory Lopez and producer is Bianca Chen.

Proceeds of this production will benefit My Friend's Place, a non-profit organization located in Hollywood that assists and inspires homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives.

ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND PRICING

THE GIFT HORSE will open on Friday, April 23 and run through Sunday, May 24th at the Working Stage Theatre, 1516 N. Gardner Street in Hollywood. The show is scheduled to run through May 24th. Performances are Friday & Saturday nights at 8pm and Sunday & Monday nights at 7pm. Tickets are available online at www.gifthorsetheplay.com/tickets or by phone, 1-800-838-3006.

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