West Coast Ensemble Presents YENTA Through 3/22
By: Gabrielle Sierra Feb. 25, 2009
West Coast Ensemble presents YENTA: Straight from the Mouth, written and performed by Annie Korzen and Directed by Judy Chaikin. YENTA: Straight from the Mouth opened on Saturday, February 21 at 3:00pm and continue through Sunday, March 22 at the new home of West Coast Ensemble - the El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.
Annie Korzen (SEINFELD's Doris Klompus) thinks the world would be a better place if everyone would just do what she says. Much to her amazement, the world doesn't seem to agree. An engaging evening of comedy. music and constructive criticism from the creator of the world-wide hit, YENTA UNPLUGGED. Mostly funny, sometimes serious, sometimes naughty: all of it scientifically calibrated to make you a better person!
ANNIE KORZEN (Playwright) began her career as an actress-writer in New York's Off-Broadway scene. She then worked in films (Tootsie, Stardust Memories, etc.). Annie was the recurring Doris Klompus on Seinfeld. She also did E.R., Judging Amy, Hannah Montana etc., and recently played John Turturro's mother in "Transformers 2." Annie delivers humorous commentaries on NPR's "Morning Edition." Her essays have been in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Jewish Journal of Los Angeles and numerous other publications. Annie co-wrote the feature film "Nobody's Perfect." She was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, having suggested the topic: "Ethnic Men Who Reject Their Own Women."
Annie's first show, YENTA UNPLUGGED was first produced by West Coast Ensemble, and then went on to play New York to Sydney to Copenhagen and many points in between. Annie is married to Danish film producer Benni Korzen (BABETTE'S FEAST, FOREVER PLAID, etc.) Annie and her son, Jonathan, are both graduates of Bard College.
JUDY CHAIKIN (Director) In a career that has seen many twists and turns, Judy Chaikin has gone from being an actress/dancer/stand-up comedienne, to a director/writer/producer. After enjoying a brief, successful career in front of the camera, Judy found that she was more interested in the exciting challenges behind the camera and set her sights on a directing career. Immediately she was offered the opportunity to direct "Womanspeak", a stage production starring Jane Fonda and Judy knew she had made the right decision. Since then she has worked continuously in the film and television industry, winning many awards including two Cine Golden Eagles, a Billboard Best New Music Video Director Award, an Emmy Nomination for her PBS Documentary "Legacy of the Hollywood Blacklist," which starred Burt Lancaster, and a first place at the American Educational Film and Television Awards for a short dramatic film "Ain't I A Woman?" which Judy wrote and directed, featuring stage star Julie Harris. In 1980, after second unit directing the feature film "I Never Promised You A Rosegarden," Judy was selected as a member of the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. With a background in both comedy and drama, Judy moved between both worlds, producing and directing documentaries and educational films by day, and by night directing the improvisational comedy troupe "THE GROUNDLINGS," where she worked with such notable talents as Lisa Kudrow, Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman and Julia Sweeney. In October of 1997, Judy executive produced and directed "Hollywood Remembers The Blacklist" a multi-media presentation at the Motion Picture Academy's Goldwyn Theater, starring Kevin Spacey, Billy Crystal, Alfre Woodard, John Lithgow, James Cromwell, David Hyde Pearce, Kathy Baker and Tim Daly. In 2001 Judy directed the one-woman show EXCUSE ME, I'M TALKING starring Annie Korzen, which opened on Broadway at the New Duke Theater and has gone on to a world tour. In 2002-03 Judy's short film "Cotillion '65" screened in twenty-four film festivals worldwide, winning Best Comedy, Best Short and Audience Choice awards. Judy is a member of the Directors Guild of America, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and sits on the Board of the Alliance of Women Directors.
Founded in 1981 by Les Hanson, West Coast Ensemble Theatre has been a part of the Los Angeles theatre community for 27 years. A membership theatre ensemble, WCE is dedicated to presenting high quality theatrical productions which address the social, cultural and artistic needs of the Los Angeles community while providing an artistic home for its membership. Recent award-winning productions include Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, Tim Acito's ZANNA, DON'T!, Jim Geoghan's TWO GENTLEMEN OF CORONA, and Adam Guettel and Tina Landau's FLOYD COLLINS.
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