Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews Bring THE WORD BEGINS to LA, 6/14-19

Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews, the critically acclaimed and pioneering Spoken Word duo, bring The Word Begins to the multi-award winning Rogue Machine for the production's West Coast Premiere beginning on June 24. Performances of The Word Begins June 14-19, 2011, will be seen as part of RADAR L.A., an international festival of contemporary theater presented by REDCAT in collaboration with Center Theatre Group and The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival. Visit www.radarla.org for more information.

Nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards, The Word Begins follows the hilarious and provocative journey of two men discovering the power of words to define love, faith, race and humanity in America. Mashing up theater, spoken word, comedy and Hip-Hop, Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews deliver a high-energy performance in this fresh new satire that examines the current cultural landscape.

Rogue Machine's recently extended run of Small Engine Repair(CRITIC'S CHOICE-LA Times; GO- LA Weekly, CRITIC'S PICK-Backstage, Ovation RECOMMENDED), ran simultaneously with their award nominated production of The Sunset Limited (CRITIC'S CHOICE-LA Times; GO- LA Weekly, CRITIC'S PICK-Backstage, Ovation RECOMMENDED), playing to sold out houses for six months. This momentum carries over into The Word Begins, an exemplary, innovative production that joins a unique set of companies dedicated to developing and producing contemporary American theater.

Mashing up spoken word, comedy and Hip-Hop, Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews deliver hyper-kinetic performances in this fresh new satire that examines the current American cultural landscape as it appears to a young white man and a young black man. Nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards, The Word Begins follows the journey of two men as they explore race, faith and morality in America-from the inner cities to the heartland. Throughout their compelling journey, Sekou and Steve move through a chaotic landscape as they attempt to come to terms with the realities of this American moment.

THE WORD BEGINS opens at Rogue Machine on June 24th at 8pm and runs Thursdays - Mondays at 8pm through July 24, 2011 (July 2nd Special Independence Weekend Event will begin at 11pm). ROGUE MACHINE is located at 5041 W. Pico Blvd., LA, CA 90019. Tickets are $20-$35.Reservations:855-585-5185 or at www.roguemachinetheatre.com.

The Word Begins was originally produced at The Signature Theatre, Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director and was developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference, Robert Egan, Artistic Director.

 

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