Contacts: Larry Aldrich/Sandy Smith Michael Seel/Cheryl Rizzo
Aldrich & Associates Boston Court
larry@aldrichpr.com michaels@bostoncourt.com
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THE THEATRE @ BOSTON COURT ANNOUNCES 2007 SEASON, INCLUDING 3 WORLD PREMIERES
PASADENA, Calif., November 9, 2006 -- During a recent reception for season subscribers at Boston Court, The Theatre @ Boston Court announced its 2007 season: the February 24th world premiere adaptation of Stephen Mitchell's new version of "Gilgamesh," adapted for the stage by Stephen Sachs; the May 12th world premiere of Mickey Birnbaum's "Bleed Rail;" the July 28th world premiere of Eric Whitacre's musical "Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings;" and the October 13th west coast premiere of Carlos Murillo's "Dark Play or Stories for Boys."
"Gilgamesh," adapted and directed by Sachs, relates the mythical journey of the warrior hero-king and his friend Enkidu, a naked wild man who has been civilized through the erotic arts of a sexual priestess. The most ancient text in the world, "Gilgamesh" remains a powerful reminder of the timeless relevance of love, courage, grief, and the search for meaning in life.
"Bleed Rail," directed by Jessica Kubzansky, co-artistic director of The Theatre @ Boston Court, is a poignant, hilarious lament for a youthful generation for whom the American dream has become an unending nightmare. One man's desperate attempts to keep his slaughterhouse job, his girl, and his sanity are at the heart of this corrosive, darkly comic look at the bottom of the economic ladder, where meat is more valuable than people.
Co-artistic Director Michael Michetti directs "Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings," the story of one angel who followed her heart, desperately trying to return home against impossible odds. Internationally renowned composer Whitacre explores the plight of young angels awaiting rescue in a world of violence. Blending western music theater traditions with Japanese anime, Asian drumming and martial arts, the music combines lush, operatic singing with trance, techno, ambient, rock and cinematic sounds. Music and book are by Whitacre, lyrics are by Whitacre and David Noro–a.
Michetti also directs the fourth play of the season, "Dark Play or Stories for Boys," a tale of deception, fluid personality, and sexual license in the chat rooms of the World Wide Web. A young boy's fictitious Internet identity starts out as a harmless fiction, but once his virtual relationship steps into the realm of real space, this tale of obsession, love, and betrayal spirals out of control with catastrophic consequences. "Dark Play" premieres at the Humana Festival and then comes directly to Boston Court.
Michetti says, "An important part of our mission is to develop and produce new works, so we're thrilled to be presenting such wonderful and diverse premieres by these exciting and widely respected artists."
Kubzansky adds, "It is especially rewarding to know that three of the four plays in our season were developed as part of our second annual reading series, Sixpack, this past spring, further demonstrating our dedication to playwrights and new play development and production."
Each play previews for six performances prior to its opening date and runs for six weeks, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. (new matinee time). Tickets for individual plays in the 2007 season are $30 - $34 and can be purchased online at www.bostoncourt.org. Four-play subscriptions are available for $99/$79/$49 and there are discounts for seniors and students.
The Theatre @ Boston Court is the non-profit company that programs the state-of-the-art 99-seat main stage theatre in the Boston Court performing arts complex at 70 North Mentor Ave. (at Boston Court). Z. Clark Branson is the developer of the complex and founding director of The Theatre @ Boston Court. Eileen T'Kaye is executive director, Michael Seel is producing director, and Cheryl Rizzo is managing director.
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