North Coast Rep Announces its 30th Anniversary Season

By: Mar. 08, 2011
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North Coast Repertory Theatre is thrilled to present its 30th Anniversary Season. From its modest beginning in 1982, the North Coast Repertory Theatre, a non-profit organization, has evolved under the Artistic Direction of David Ellenstein into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations, recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to excellence. NCR's 30th Anniversary Season promises to be a season filled with laughter, romance, mystery and passion.

From the uproarious and hysterical fun of LEND ME A TENOR to the humor filled and poignant HEROES; from the delicious astringent wit of THE LION IN THE WINTER to the heart and drama of VISITING MR. GREEN. From the scintillating and tart humor of THIS to the thrillingly sexy and mysterious THE DUMB WAITER and THE LOVER;
conclude with the charming and delightful musical of DAMES AT SEA and we have one of the most thrilling and evocative seasons yet.

"I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture."- Sir Laurence Olivier

North Coast Repertory Theatre remains committed for 30 years to making a difference in people's lives. To effect the world in a positive way with art. The artist points up the highs and lows of life; its beauty, tragedy, joy, and frustration. Our duty is to the greater audience and humanity - to inspire people to view their own lives and the world around them with a new and more insightful perspective.

Farce and Tour de Force
LEND ME A TENOR
by Ken Ludwig
directed by Matthew Wiener
Previews September 7 - 9, 2011
September 10 - October 2, 2011

LEND ME A TENOR revolves around renowned tenor Tito Merelli, known to his fans as "Il Stupendo", who is scheduled to sing the lead in OTELLO at a gala fundraiser for the Cleveland Opera Company in 1934. Unfortunately even before the star leaves his hotel room everything begins to unravel. What ensue are a chain-reaction of mistaken identity; plot twists, double entendres and the constant slamming of many doors. A sensation on Broadway and in London's West End, LEND ME A TENOR is an homage to the madcap screwball comedies of the 1930's, guaranteed to leave audiences howling hysterically with laughter and walking out the door with a warm smile. Winner of 3 Tony Awards and 4 Drama Desk Awards

"Screamingly funny!" - CBS RADIO
"Non stop laughter." - VARIETY
"Uproarious! Hysterical!" - USA TODAY
"A rib tickling comedy." - NEW YORK POST

Olivier Award-Winning Comedy
HEROES
by Gerald Sibleyras
translated by Tom Stoppard
directed by David Ellenstein
Previews October 19 - 21, 2011
October 22 - November 13, 2011

Winner of the Laurence Olivier Best New Comedy award, in Tom Stoppard's humor filled and poignant translation of Gérald Sibleyras' HEROES, is a heartwarming tale of camaraderie and a moving portrait of the frustrations inherent in growing older. Three World War I veterans pass their monotony filled days in a military hospital by engaging in verbal battles of long-forgotten military campaigns, grumblings about the staff, and reflections on their lives. Each of the men - Henri, Gustave and Philippe - thinks the other two are crazy, and each may be right. Their cantankerous camaraderie becomes strained when Gustave conjures up an escape plan. Looking over the cemetery to the poplars beyond, they dream of freedom. Will today be the day they finally make it to Indochina or perhaps only as far as the top of the hill? Our amazing trio of actors is sure to create a night of theatre not to be forgotten. Featuring John Schuck and Jonathan McMurtry plus a third powerhouse actor TBA.

"Theatrical hit, a boulevard comedy bull's-eye...achieves a seductive fusion of the comic, sad and absurd." - THE EVENING STANDARD

What family doesn't have its ups and downs?
- Eleanor of Aquitaine, via James Goldman
THE LION IN WINTER
by James Goldman
directed by Andrew Barnicle

Previews January 4 - 6, 2012
January 7 - 29, 2012
In honor of our 30th anniversary season, North Coast Rep proudly draws upon a title from its inaugural year to bring to life once again on our stage. Insecure siblings fighting for their parents' attention; bickering spouses who can't stand to be together or apart; adultery and sexual experimentation; even the struggle to balance work and family: These are themes as much at home in our time as they were in the twelfth century. In James Goldman's classic play The Lion in Winter, domestic turmoil rises to an art form.Combining keen historical and psychological insight with delicious, mordant wit, the stage play has become the play has become an American classic.

"marvelously articulate language, with humor that bristles and burns"
- LOS ANGELES TIMES
"A work of intelligence, astringent wit, and much theatrical skill."- NEW YORK TIMES

A traffic accident causes two worlds to collide...
VISITING MISTER GREEN
by Jeff Baron
directed by Christopher Williams
Previews February 15 - 17, 2012
February 18 - March 11, 2012

Filled with humor, heart and drama, Jeff Baron has created a play that examines stereotypes, family, loneliness and friendship. Two unlikely people are thrown together by accidental circumstances, and the results are unexpected and ultimately cathartic for each. When retired dry-cleaner Mr. Green is nearly struck by a car, the driver Ross Gardiner is sentenced to community service: helping Mr. Green with his groceries and other household chores once a week for six months. Recently widowed, Mr. Green clings too tightly to the past and his devoutly held Jewish faith. Ross is also trapped by old-fashioned stereotypes as he struggles to come to terms with who he is. For both men, who they are and what they believe has caused serious rifts with their families. This comedy about two very different men who do not want to be in the same room together develops into a gripping and poignant drama. Winner of numerous awards throughout the world for best play, and produced over 300 times in 37 countries, we are proud to bring this intimate and compelling play to life.

A cannily crafted melodrama about friendship, family, open mindedness and forgiveness...a feel-good winner" -NEW YORK NEWSDAY

What's 'This' all about?
THIS
by Melissa James Gibson
directed by Kirsten Brandt
Previews April 4 - 6, 2012
April 7 - 29, 2012

Written with a scintillating verbal humor, honesty and a keen compassion that upends conventions and avoids the predictable at every turn, Canadian playwright Melissa James Gibson's THIS is a tart, melancholy comedy about a group of close friends entering the choppy waters of middle age. "This" is the stuff of real life: relationships, sex, friendships, marriage and bereavement. Join us for a powerhouse production of Gibson's latest rueful comic meditation on love, adulthood and adultery.

"the best new play to open off Broadway this fall" - NEW YORK TIMES

Two by Pinter...
THE LOVER and THE DUMB WAITER
by Harold Pinter
directed by David Ellenstein
Previews May 23 - 25, 2012
May 26 - June 17, 2012

Two of the early one acts by the Master playwright that helped to broaden the course of theatrical expression, these two taut comedic dramas still pack the same punch as when first written. Thrillingly sexy with an air of mystery, THE LOVER will keep you on the edge of your seat as the worlds of fantasy and reality collide. With THE DUMB WAITER's great humor, absurdity and wit this "comedy of menace" twists to its unexpected conclusion. A rare and welcome treat for the theatre lover.

"Riveting... quite simply, unmissable theatre." - LONDON THEATRE.CO.UK
"Mr. Pinters play is a brilliantly seasoned use of theatricality." - NEW YORK TIMES

Good times are here to stay!
DAMES AT SEA
book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller
music by Jim Wise.
directed by Rick Simas
Previews July 4 - 6, 2012
July 7 - 29, 2012

Start tapping your toes as the delightful and hilarious musical comedy DAMES AT SEA
docks on the intimate stage of North Coast Repertory Theatre. This charming musical wowed the critics when it opened, marking the debut of Bernadette Peters, who starred as Ruby. A musical for all ages, young and old, DAMES AT SEA will charm and delight with comedy songs, love songs and everything in between. This musical is an all-singing, all-dancing tap extravaganza. An energetic All-American girl arrives in the Big Apple with nothing but a pair of tap shoes in her suitcase. Music! Curtain! Lights! It's time for magic!

"Dames At Sea is a real winner, a little gem of a musical." - NEW YORK TIMES

A King, a son and a knight to remember...
Mira Costa College/North Coast Repertory Theatre Co-production.
HENRY IV, PART 1
Previews March 1, 2012
March 2 - 18, 2012
by William Shakespeare
directed by David Ellenstein
To be performed at the Mira Costa College Theatre.
(This show is not part of the regular season subscription.)

This was the Bard's most popular play during his lifetime. Thrilling, funny and majestic, Shakespeare's HENRY IV, PART 1 is an epic coming of age drama which chronicles the complex relationships between fathers and sons, rivals, and friends of our youth. Raucous comedy and much swordplay punctuate this moving drama of a prodigal son who must learn to become a man and a king. Filled with some of Shakespeare's most vibrant characters including Prince Hal (later King Henry V), Harry Percy (Hotspur) and Shakespeare's most beloved comic character, the drunken, obese knight, Sir John Falstaff, HENRY IV, PART 1 is a theatre lovers dream come true.

ABOUT THE NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE: NORTH Coast Repertory Theatre is a professional equity theatre founded in 1982. Celebrating 30 YEARS, North Coast Rep has received critical acclaim from media and audiences alike. With the fifth largest operating budget of non profit theatres and employing the third most Actors' Equity Association members (the union of professional actors and stage managers) in San Diego, North Coast Rep continues to produce high quality, award winning theatre and has evolved into one of the area's leading performing arts organizations. Located in Solana Beach, California, NCR not only draws its audience from the North County region but 50% of its audience base resides in metro San Diego and throughout Southern California. Recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to quality, this season will be performed on the Blakistone Stage, newly dedicated to North Coast Rep founders Olive Blakistone and her recently departed husband Tom, who passed away in March of 2009. David Ellenstein is now the Artistic Director and Leader of North Coast Repertory Theatre since 2003.

David Ellenstein (Artistic Director) Nationally recognized director and actor; David served as Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre before joining North Coast Rep in 2003. Over 200 career productions include directing 22 shows at North Coast Rep, including THE DRAWER BOY, BECKY'S NEW CAR, GHOSTS, TALLEY'S FOLLY, THE DRESSER, OVER THE TAVERN, HALPERN & JOHNSON, THE CHOSEN, and ROMEO AND JULIET. Elsewhere; SONIA FLEW starring Lucie Arnaz, HALPERN AND JOHNSON starring Hal Linden and Brian Murray, and THE CHOSEN starring Theo Bikel and John Lloyd Young at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. Other venues include the Paper Mill Playhouse, Alabama, California, Nevada, Great Lakes, Southwest, and Kingsmen Shakespeare Festivals, Laguna Playhouse, Meadow Brook Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Los Angeles Theatre Center, Portland Repertory Theatre, and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre Company.



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