"1001" EXPLORES LOVE, SEX AND RELIGION AND WAR
PASADENA, Calif., April 18, 2008 – The Theatre @ Boston Court presents a modern twist on the ancient "Tales of the Thousand and One Nights" in the west coast premiere of Jason Grote's "1001," opening May 10 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue. The play, the second in The Theatre @ Boston Court's fifth season, is directed by Michael Michetti, co-artistic director of the theatre company.
Wandering through a deserted New York City subway tunnel in a hallucinogenic daze, urbanite Alan emerges from the dark to encounter a one-eyed Middle-Eastern merchant in ancient Baghdad. So goes this hilarious and heartbreaking retelling of the classic collection of tales, spinning stories of love, sex, religion and war – some things never go out of style.
"1001" features Monika Jolly and John Sloan and supporting cast members Perry Lambert, Meena Serendib, Amol Shah and Sam Younis. Creative team includes: Michetti, scenic design; E.B. Brooks, costume design; Jeremy Pivnick, lighting design; John Ballinger, sound design and original music; Lena Garcia, prop design; John Pennington, choreography; Tracy Winters, dialect coach; Dan Selon, assistant director; Michael Donovan, CSA, casting; Christopher Komuro, key art; and Rebecca Cohn, production stage manager.
This is Jolly's second collaboration with Michetti, having performed in his award winning production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" set in British colonized India. Theatre credits include Off Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theater, and with New York's critically acclaimed Target Margin Theatre. She has performed at A.C.T in San Francisco, The Stella Adler Theatre, worked with Sheldon Epps at The Falcon Theatre and in "Kate Crackernuts," directed by Jessica Kubzansky, at The 24th Street Theatre in Los Angeles. Kubzanksy is the co-artistic director of The Theatre @ Boston Court.
Sloan most recently appeared on stage in the world premiere of "System Wonderland" at South Coast Repertory and previously performed as a member of the Antaeus Company production of "Mother Courage and Her Children." New York theatre credits include the Mint Theatre Company, La MaMa E.T.C., and the Soho Playhouse. Regional credits include the Denver Center Theatre Company, Intiman Theatre and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Michetti has directed The Theatre @ Boston Court's productions of "dark play or stories for boys" (L.A. Drama Critics Circle award for direction), "Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings" (Ovation Nominations for Musical, Director of a Musical), "A Picture of Dorian Gray" (LADCC Award for Direction), "Pera Palas" (LADCC Awards for Production, Direction), "Summertime," and its inaugural production of "Romeo and Juliet: Antebellum New Orleans, 1836." Most recently, he directed the recent Reprise! production of the musical "Li'l Abner" starring Cathy Rigby and Fred Willard.
"1001 " previews for six performances beginning May 1, opens May 10 and runs Thursdays through Sundays through June 8. Preview tickets are priced at $17 and regular performances at $32. Senior and student discounts are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at bostoncourt.org or by calling (626) 683-6883. Boston Court Performing Arts Center is located one block north of Colorado at the corner of Mentor Ave. and Boston Ct.
"1001" includes adult language and adult situations.
"1001" is supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Founding Director Z. Clark Branson, and the generous contributions of The Theatre @ Boston Court patrons.
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For reservations to Press Night, Saturday, May 10, 8 pm, contact: sandy@aldrichpr.com
CALENDAR
The Theatre @ Boston Court presents a modern twist on the ancient "Tales of the Thousand and One Nights" in the west coast premiere of Jason Grote's "1001." Previews May 1 – 4 and 8 - 9, opens May 10 at 8 p.m. and runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 8 at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor, Pasadena. Tickets: $17 previews, $32 regular, available online at bostoncourt.org or the box office at 626-683-6883.
Contacts:
Larry Aldrich/Sandy Smith
Aldrich & Associates
Tel: (562) 436-5156
Or
Michael Seel
Boston Court Performing Arts Center
Tel: (626) 683-6883