ALDRICH & ASSOCIATES NEWS         

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

 

 

 

DAVID MAMET'S "SQUIRRELS," OPENING MARCH 23, CASTS

VICKI LEWIS, DON OSCAR SMITH, AND BEN MESSMER

 

 

SANTA MONICA, CA. February 21, 2007 -- David Mamet's "Squirrels," which opens March 23, will star "NewsRadio's" Vicki Lewis, "The Cherry Orchard's" (Ahmanson Theatre) Don Oscar Smith, and "Gamers'" Ben Messmer. Directed by Travis Hammer and produced by Criterion Theatre and The Blue House Theatre Company, "Squirrels" opens 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 (Smith), blocked and lonely; and a younger writer (Messmer) hired by the older one to help get the juices flowing. An at-once lovable and vicious cleaning woman (Lewis) interrupts them regularly to deliver her own pearls of wisdom.

 

Vicki Lewis -- Lewis, besides starring in the NBC comedy series, has played numerous roles on Broadway in "Chicago," "Damn Yankees," and "The Crucible," and has played in several films, including "Pushing Tin," "Breakfast of Champions," "Godzilla" and "Finding Nemo."

 

 

 

Don Oscar Smith -- Smith’s theatrical background includes productions in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.  His TV appearances include “The Unit," “The Bernie Mac Show,” “ER,” “Carnivale,” “Port Charles,” and “Days of Our Lives.” In film, Don has performed in “The Hunt for Red October,” “Ragtime” and “Nighthawks.”

 

 

 

Ben Messmer -- Messmer's stage acting credits include numerous roles at A Noise Within productions, CTG's New Works Festival, and the Evidence Room's "Hard Times." In addition to the movie "Gamers," Messmer has also acted in an untitled Bros. Dowdie film (yet to be released) and "The Middle of Nowhere," and TV's "In Justice."

 

 

 

The creative team for "Squirrels" includes Jonathan LaCour (scenic design), Cynthia Herteg (costume design), Jeremy Pivnick (lighting design), John Zalewski (sound design), Dane Martines (graphic design), and Paul Dinh-McCrillis, C.S.A. (casting).

 

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" is associate-produced by Peter Monro and Robert Moskowitz on behalf of the Blue House Theatre Company and Criterion Theatre. The Blue House Theatre Company was recently nominated for Best Production of the Year and Best Direction awards by L.A Weekly for "Marat/Sade."

 

"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 $25 for Thursdays, $32.50 for Fridays and Sunday matinees and $37.50 for Saturdays. There are discounts for Santa Monica residents, seniors, students, and groups. Tickets may be purchased by calling (866) 811-4111 or online at www.SquirrelsbyMamet.com.

 

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