Ross Valley Players Presents PREMIERE! 9/11-10/11

The Ross Valley Players' kicks off it's 80th Season with "Premiere!" - the last play written by award-winning playwright Dale Wasserman. Wasserman was the Tony Award-winning author of the book for "Man of La Mancha" and the stage version of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

"Premiere!," is a funny, suspenseful and witty comedy about a playwright who "discovers" a never-before-seen play by William Shakespeare. The production opens on Sept. 11 and continues with performances at the Ross Valley Players' Barn Theatre through Oct. 11.

"The only other productions of 'PREMIERE!' were as a developmental staged reading at the York Theatre in NYC in 2007 and full production at Theatre Works in Peoria, Arizona in January of 2009. Dale Wasserman lived near Peoria and had been working on the show as the production was being put up, but he died in December of 2008," said Robert Wilson of Kentfield, Ross Valley Players' director of "Premiere!"

The script performed at the Theatre Works in Peoria and by the Ross Valley Players this fall represents Wasserman's final draft.

Wilson was made aware of the comedy in the Spring of 2009 by Ross Valley Players' patron Abby Wasserman of Mill Valley.

An author and journalist, Abby Wasserman is the niece of Dale Wasserman. Her brother, the late John Wasserman, was the entertainment critic and columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

"I thought of the Ross Valley Players almost immediately," said Wasserman. "There's a wonderful quality of professionalism at the Ross Valley Players. Dale's play 'Premiere!' is rather old-fashioned play. It's an intimate, drawing room play which I thought was perfectly suited to the Ross Valley Players' theater."

" 'Premiere!' is marvelously lighter fair for my uncle," said Wasserman. "It's about a very successful comedy playwright who yearns to be a writer of serious plays. The story features a husband and wife that really love each other and has playfulness about it."

"This play is extremely personal. Dale's thoughts and feelings about the theater and the theater community are woven throughout this play. It's fun for me to recognize his voice in various parts of the play," said Wasserman. "Throughout the play he comments and makes fun of academics, authenticity, fakery and producers."

Abby Wasserman attended the first Ross Valley Players' cast rehearsal and talked to the cast and crew about her uncle and the history of the play. She will also be attending the press party and opening night performance on Sept. 11 and plans to return to see other performances with her aunt and Dale's wife, Martha Wasserman and two Wasserman cousins.

For tickets or for more information call 415-456-9555 or visit the web site at www.rossvalleyplayers.com

WHEN: Sept. 11 to Oct. 11, 2009
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays (Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8)
2 p.m. Sundays (Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11)
"Pay What You Will Preview" 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10

Buzz at the Barn: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Buzz at the Barn is pre-performance reception event, featuring complimentary beverages and appetizers. Buzz at the Barn reception events are included in the price of performance admission. Reservations recommended.

Ross Valley Players' Barn Theatre, Marin Art & Garden Center,
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Lagunitas, Ross, CA.

TICKETS: Order online; by telephone; at the door.

COST: $15 to $25
General admission: $25; Senior citizens (62+): $20; Youth: (18 and under):$20; Thursday shows are $15 for everyone (no additional discounts apply) "Pay What You Will Preview" 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10

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