On Friday, November 5, Genesis West of Santa Barbara will present the modern American masterpiece, 'Curse of the Starving Class' by Sam Shepard with a newly revised edition by the playwright. A major work by one of Contemporary Theatre's most respected and celebrated writers; Time Magazine said, "It may be his best." Winner of the Obie Award for best play. The Village Voice called it, "Epic, unpredictable and deliriously ironic". Genesis West's production of this brilliant dark satire will be the Santa Barbara premier. The production will run through November 20, 2010 with performances Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm at Center Stage Theater.
Sam Shepard's 'Curse of the Starving Class' is at once a hilarious, profound, frighteningly true and delightfully surreal tale that follows a malnourished and rather bizarre family searching for freedom, security, and their piece of the American pie. As their delusions of a better life fall apart around them, so does their farmhouse and the myth of America it embodies. Time Magazine said, "Shepard has fashioned a play of eloquent intensity, whirlwind farce and resonantly poignant insight." And the Los Angeles Times described it as "Compelling, explosive theatre."
American playwright
Sam Shepard has written over 45 plays, 11 of which have won Obie Awards, and has appeared as an actor in numerous films. In 1979 he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for 'Buried Child,' and in 1984 he gained an Oscar nomination for his performance in 'The Right Stuff.' His screenplay for 'Paris, Texas' won the Golden Palm Award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. Other plays by
Sam Shepard include 'The God of Hell,' 'True West,' 'Fool for Love' and 'A Lie of the Mind.' In 'Curse of the Starving Class,' Shepard again explores the darker depths of the middle-American rural sensibilities and Western myths.
The play centers around the Tate family with Tom Hinshaw as the alcoholic dreamer of a father, Meredith McMinn as the burnt out mother, Amanda Berning as the precocious daughter and Merlin Huff as the idealistic son. With special appearances by Brian Harwell as a sociopath lawyer, Jeff Mills as a bar owner with plans of his own for
The Farm, Matt Tavianini and Ted Harmand as gangsters and Tim Whitcomb as a police sergeant. Production team includes
Maurice Lord director, set and lighting design by Theodore Michael Dolas and sound design by Parry Gripp.
'Curse of the Starving Class' was first performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1978, was followed by a successful production in London and an Off Broadway revival in 1985.
Sam Shepard recently revised the text marking its 30th Anniversary. The revised version was produced at A.C.T in San Francisco.
'Curse of the Starving Class' contains adult content, language and nudity.
Founded in 1998 Genesis West is a Santa Barbara theatre company devoted to the work of contemporary playwrights. Last year the company presented 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' by
Martin McDonagh.
Tickets can be purchased through the Center Stage box office at (805) 963-0408. Tickets are $24.00 student and $29.00 general. Performance dates are November 5 to 20, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm. The theater is located at 715 Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara or on line at
www.centerstagetheater.org.
