The Theatre At Boston Court Presents THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY WAY, Opens 5/8

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents "The Twentieth-Century Way," a world premiere play by Los Angeles playwright Tom Jacobson, directed by The Theatre @ Boston Court Co-Artistic Director Michael Michetti. The play opens May 8 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

Based on a little-known incident in LA history, this theatrical thrill ride explores the collision of reality and fantasy as two actors juggle various roles to entrap homosexuals for "social vagrancy" in the public restrooms of 1914 Long Beach.

"The Twentieth-Century Way" features Robert Mammana (Broadway and National tour of "Les Miserables," and "Gulls" at Boston Court) and Will Bradley (recently in Pasadena Playhouse's production of "Camelot.")

About "The Twentieth-Century Way" Michetti says, "Tom has written a play with historical and local relevance which explores a fascinating, obscure piece of Southern California history. But the play is structured almost like a thriller, and it's a really dangerous, sexy and exciting roller coaster ride. It's also a demanding tour de force for two talented actors, and in that regard I couldn't ask for better than Robert and Will."

Production staff for "The Twentieth Century Way" includes Michetti, Nick Santiago, scenic and props designer, Garry Lennon, costume designer, Elizabeth Harper, lighting designer, Kari Rae Seekins, sound designer, Sabina Ptasznik, assistant director, Michael Donovan, casting director, Amber Koehler, production stage manager, and Tracy Winters, dialect coach.

Jacobson has had more than 60 productions of his plays in Los Angeles and around the country, including "Sperm" at Circle X Theatre Company, "The Orange Grove" at Playwrights Arena, and the award-winning "Bunbury," "Tainted Blood" and "Ouroboros" at The Road Theatre Company ("Bunbury", "Tainted Blood", "Ouroboros" have just been published by Broadway Play Publishing). He is the former co-literary manager of The Theatre @ Boston Court, a founding member of Playwrights Ink, and a board member of Cornerstone Theater Company. He teaches playwriting and related courses for UCLA Extension. His most recent production was "The Friendly Hour" at The Road (winner of an LA Weekly Award for best ensemble). Upcoming productions include the world premiere of "West Hollywood Musical" (Working Title) at Cornerstone, "The Chinese Massacre (Annotated)" at Circle X, and "House of the Rising Son" at Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA.

Michetti's Theatre @ Boston Court credits include Deborah Stein's "God Save Gertrude", Jason Grote's "1001", Carlos Murillo's "dark play or stories for boys", Eric Whitacre's "Paradise Lost: Shadows & Wings", his own adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "A Picture of Dorian Gray", Sinan
Ünel's "Pera Palas", Charles L. Mee's "Summertime", and "Romeo & Juliet: Antebellum New Orleans, 1836". Elsewhere: "Hamlet", "As You Like It" and "Don Juan" (A Noise Within); "Carousel", "Man of La
Mancha" and "Li'l Abner" (Reprise); Tom Jacobson's "Ouroboros" and "Tainted Blood" (Road Theatre); "Anyone Can Whistle" (Matrix Theatre); "A Life in the Theatre" starring HAl Holbrook (Pasadena Playhouse); "Edward II" (Circle X). He is the recipient of two Ovation Awards and four LADCC Awards.

"The Twentieth Century Way" previews for six performances beginning April 29, opening May 8 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 6. There is no performance Sunday, May 30. Performance added Wednesday, May 26. Preview tickets are
priced at $17 and regular performances at $32. Senior, student and group discounts are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at bostoncourt.org or by calling (626) 683-6883. Boston Court Performing Arts Center is located one block north of Colorado at the corner of
Mentor Ave. and Boston Ct. This play contains sexual situations and nudity.

"The Twentieth Century Way" is supported in part by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Founding Director Z. Clark Branson, and the generous contributions of The Theatre @ Boston Court supporters and contributors.

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