ALDRICH & ASSOCIATES NEWS         

65 Pine Ave., # 320, Long Beach, California 90802 (562) 436-5156 Sandy Smith: sandy@aldrichpr.com

 

 

SOUTHERN CALFORNIA PREMIERE OF DAVID MAMET'S "SQUIRRELS" OPENS MARCH 23 AT THE MILES PLAYHOUSE

 

SANTA MONICA, CA. Dec. 5, 2006 – David Mamet’s "Squirrels," directed and produced by Travis Hammer, premieres in Southern California Friday, March 23 at the landmark Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Boulevard and runs Thursdays through Sundays until April 29.

 

This Mamet play, written between "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" and "American Buffalo," explores the path of creativity through the eyes of two writers: an older writer, blocked and lonely; and a younger writer hired by the older one to help get the juices flowing. An at-once lovable and vicious cleaning woman interrupts them regularly to deliver her own pearls of wisdom.

 

"The play addresses the writer’s process," says Hammer, whose directing credits include Beckett's "Waiting For Godot," with which "Squirrels" has much in common. "It bravely explores the structure and process needed to put word to paper - something for which Mamet is justifiably famous - the creative science, the horror of lost talent, the pain of loneliness, and finally, the process of passing tradition down from one generation to the next."

 

Hammer, founding director of Criterion Theatre, a literary associate at the Evidence Room and part time lecturer in The School of Theatre at the University of Southern California, has worked in Southern California, London, Prague and Edinburgh and was a co-director of the 2005 Edge of the World Festival.

 

"Squirrels" will be cast in January and is associate-produced by Peter Monro and Robert Moskowitz on behalf of the Blue House Theatre Company and Criterion Theatre.

 

"Squirrels" has one preview performance on Thursday, March 22, 8 p.m., opens Friday, March 23, 8 p.m., and the show runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Thursdays, $20 for Fridays and Sunday matinees and $25 for Saturdays. Tickets may be purchased starting January 22 by calling (866) 219-4944 or online at www.SquirrelsbyMamet.com.

 

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For reservations to press night, Friday, March 30, contact: sandy@aldrichpr.com