San Diego REP to Stage Dark Comedy HAND TO GOD This Fall

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) has announced details for the third production of its 42nd season, "Hand to God." This darkly hilarious new comedy, from playwright Robert Askins, will be helmed by REP Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse.

This smash Broadway hit begins on Thursday, October 19, 2017 and plays through Sunday, November 12, 2017 with an opening night on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 7 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.

"I jumped at the opportunity to direct this very smart and very funny new American play that stands alone as a special work of theatre," says Woodhouse. "What could be more fun and American than a wild and irreverent comedy that dramatizes a battle between good and evil in the basement of an American church?"

Askins' new play, currently the most produced in America, will star Caleb Foote as the shy and awkward "Jason," whose seemingly lifeless hand puppet, "Tyrone," begins to take on a life of its own. Foote also voices and puppeteers "Tyrone." A new face for REP audiences, he was recently seen in the LA revival of "Zoot Suit" at the Mark Taper Forum.

Foote is joined by San Diego REP veterans DeAnna Driscoll ("Quality of Life" at Intrepid, "Mud Blue Sky" at MOXIE) as "Margery" and Jason Heil ("Violet," "Clybourne Park" at San Diego REP) as "Pastor Greg," as well as fellow REP newcomers Garrett Marshall ("Frozen" at The Hyperion, "1776" at Cabrillo Music Theater) as "Timothy" and Christina Flynn ("The Illusion" at North Coast REP, "Stage Kiss" at New Village Arts) as "Jessica."

Something devilish is lurking in a church basement puppet show in Cypress, Texas. And his name is...Tyrone. He may look like an innocent sock puppet, but when he infiltrates the angst-ridden church youth group and takes possession of Jason's arm, all hell breaks loose. Spectacularly foul-mouthed and wickedly scandalous, Tyrone shocks the congregation with his outrageous insinuations, exposing their deepest secrets-and teaching us all about love, grief and what it means to be human. A smash success on Broadway and in London, this darkly delightful and wildly funny comedy is the most produced play in America!

The creative team includes Robin Roberts (Scenic Design), Trevor Norton (Lighting Design), Charlotte Devaux (Costume Design), Matthew Lescault-Wood (Sound Design), Dawn Moore (Dramaturgy), Rachel Mink (Assistant Direction) and Heather Brose (Production Stage Management).

Robert Askins (Playwright) was born in Cypress Texas in 1980. He moved to New York in 2005. Rob has received two EST/Sloan grants, and an Arch and Bruce Davis Award for Playwriting. He has been commissioned by Divercity Theatre and Baylor University. Rob's play "Princes of Waco" was produced and developed by Youngblood. His play "Matthew and the Pastor's Wife" was a part of Marathon 2010 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre. Rob's play "Doll Parts" was read with the Write Club sponsored by Arlene Dahl. This Summer he was a part of the 52nd Streets "Heads or Tail: The Chancey Plays" and he can be found on the second Sunday of every month running around a fancy Greek restaurant for his site-specific brunch serial "All the Little Fishes" about the trials and tribulations of working fine dining in Manhattan with Greeks. Rob is an I-73 and Youngblood Alum.

Sam Woodhouse (Director) co-founded San Diego REP with D.W. Jacobs in 1976, and has since worked as a director, producer or actor on more than 280 productions. As an actor, he has performed on The REP stages in "The Seafarer," in the title role of "King Lear," "Proof," "Hamlet," and with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra in the title role of Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat." His recent directorial work with The REP includes: "EVITA," "Into the Beautiful North," "Manifest Destinitis," "Rapture, Blister, Burn," "The Oldest Boy," "Violet," "Oedipus El Rey," "Honky," "El Henry" (with La Jolla Playhouse), "Detroit," "Venus in Fur," "In the Heights," "Federal Jazz Project," "Clybourne Park," "The Who's TOMMY," "In the Next Room or the vibrator play," "Threepenny Opera" and "Water & Power." In 2011, he directed "American Night: The Ballad of Juan José" for the Denver Center Theatre Company. In 2003, he was awarded the Patté Shiley Award for Lifetime Achievement by KPBS and the prestigious Alonzo Award by the Downtown San Diego Partnership. In 2006, he and Jacobs were honored with the Craig Noel Award by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle for 30 years of artistic dedication to downtown and diversity.

IF YOU GO:

"Hand to God"

By Robert Askins

Directed by Sam Woodhouse

Previews: Thursday, October 19 - Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Opening Night: Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Closing Night: Sunday, November 12, 2017

At Lyceum Stage, San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101-6144

Parking is available in the Horton Plaza parking garage for $8 with validation. Enter the garage from 4th Ave just South of the Balboa Theatre. Follow entrance lanes, then turn right & continue to the 3rd level to park. Horton Plaza Parking Tickets (issued from machines at entry) may be validated in the Lyceum Theatres Lobby during your show. Validation will allow patrons to pay flat $8 rate.

Please note: if you do not validate your ticket at the theatre, Westfield Horton Plaza Parking is free for the first hour only. After this time, the current rate charged at exit is $2.00 for every 15 minutes (daily maximum charge = $48.00). Westfield Horton Plaza Parking Garage rates are subject to change at any time. For any additional ABM Parking information, contact ABM Parking at 619.233.1491

Tickets range from $42 to $68 and can be purchased in-person at the San Diego REP Box Office, by calling 619.544.1000 or online at sdrep.org. Active military, teacher and senior discounts are available. Student tickets are available for all performances for just $20 each. Prices and dates subject to change.

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. Founded in 1976, San Diego Repertory Theatre is downtown San Diego's resident theatre, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values and celebrates the multiple voices of our region. The company produces and hosts over 550 events and performances year-round on its three stages at the Lyceum Theatre. Since moving to the Lyceum, The REP has produced 45 main stage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, BackStage West, Dramalogue and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented The REP with the Craig Noel Award "For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity." San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. To learn more about San Diego Repertory Theatre, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit www.sdrep.org. Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP).