Ross Valley Players to Present JOURNEY'S END, 1/16-2/16

By: Jan. 14, 2014
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ROSS VALLEY PLAYERS will present the West Coast Premiere of the World War I drama, Journey's End, by R.C. Sherriff. Set in the trenches of World War I, Journey's End gives a look into the experiences of the officers of a British Army infantry company as they prepare for an enemy attack. Nominated for 12 Tony Award for the 2007 Broadway revival and winner for Best Revival of a Play, Journey's End is directed by renowned Marin County director, teacher and actor, James Dunn. Journey's End begins with a preview on Thursday, January 16 and runs through Sunday, February 16. Opening night is Friday, January 17 at 8PM. www.rossvalleyplayers.com.

The year is 1918, Saint-Quentin, France, towards the end of the First World War. Deep in a dugout of the British trenches, soldiers on the front line await the grueling days, hours, and minutes before a possible enemy attack. Eighteen-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Raleigh (Francis Serpa) is the new arrival in the company commanded by his former school friend and hero, Captain Stanhope (David Yen). Raleigh soon realizes that Stanhope, who is dating his sister back home, is no longer the boy he once knew and has become a depressed man of war who numbs his pain by drinking heavily. Lieutenant Osborne (Tom Hudgens), who had been a schoolmaster before the war, and has become an "uncle" to the soldiers, tries to help Stanhope through some of his lowest (and drunkest) moments of the war but it does little to help his confidence, and he begins to believe he has lost the respect of his men. Journey's End tells the story of how brave men cope with their situation with guarded humor, uncommon courage and dignity, and also captures the seldom seen side of war: the anxiety of waiting. Journey's End is directed by James Dunn, and produced by Robin Jackson.

Full cast includes: David Yen (Captain Stanhope), Francis Serpa (Second Lieutenant Raleigh), Tom Hudgens (Lieutenant Osborne), Sean Gunnell (Private Mason), Stephen Dietz (Second Lieutenant Trotter), Ross Berger (Lance Corporal Broughton / German Soldier), Philip Goleman (Second Lieutenant Hibbert), Steve Price (Captain Hardy/The Colonel), and Jeff Taylor (Sergeant Major).

Performances are Thursday, January 16, 2014 (Preview Night) through Sunday, February 16, with Opening Night on Friday, January 17 at 8PM. Regular Thursday performances are at 7:30PM; Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM; Sunday matinees at 2PM. (Please note there is no matinee on Sunday, January 19.) All performances take place at the Barn Theatre, home of the Ross Valley Players - 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross, CA 94957. Ticket prices are $22 for seniors 62+; $13 for children (under 18) and student with valid ID; $26 general admission. Preview night ticket prices are $10 for children and students; $15 general admission. Thursday night tickets prices are $13 for children and students with a high school or college ID, $20 for adults (does not include Thursday preview night.)

Audience members are invited to participate in "Talkback" with the director and actors after matinee performance on Sundays, February 2 and 9. Buzz at the Barn, a pre-show cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and wine, will take place on Saturday, January 18 at 7PM.

To order tickets, call 415-456-9555, ext. 1 or visit www.rossvalleyplayers.com.

Photo by Robin Jackson

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