WORLD PREMIERE OF LAURA SCHELLHARDT'S "COURTING VAMPIRES" OPENS MAY 9 AT BOSTON COURT
PASADENA, Calif., April 2, 2009 – The Theatre @ Boston Court presents "Courting Vampires," a World Premiere by Laura Schellhardt, directed by Jessica Kubzansky, opening May 9 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.
In this deeply moving allegory that straddles graveyard and courtroom, Nina, a vitally alive, headstrong young woman falls victim to a fatal blood disease, and her protective older sister, Rill, vows revenge on the vampire who infected her. With righteousness and impassioned love Rill puts him on trial for his life. But does anything – even justice – avenge death?
"Courting Vampires" features Bo Foxworth, Maya Lawson and Carey Peters. Foxworth, a member of Antaeus Theatre Company, has numerous regional and Broadway stage credits, including his Ovation-nominated role in another Kubzansky directed play, "Measure for Measure" at A Noise Within. Lawson makes her Boston Court debut following a stage career in Seattle and Northern California, including another of Schellhardt's plays, "The K of D," a one-woman show at The Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Peters has had a very successful stage career in the Midwest, including playing some of Chicago's leading theatres like Steppenwolf, Court, American Theatre Company and Northlight.
Production staff for "Courting Vampires" includes Kurt Boetcher, scenic designer, E.B. Brooks, costume designer, Tim Swiss, lighting designer, Bruno Louchouarn, original music and sound designer, Jonathon Stearns, projection designer, Nick Santiago, prop designer, Lisa Szolovits, assistant director, Raul Clayton Staggs, casting director, and Hope Villanueva, production stage manager.
Schellhardt's plays have been produced in major cities around the country. Original works include "Air Guitar High," "Auctioning the Ainsleys," "The Apothecary's Daughter," "The K of D," "Shapeshifter," "Inheritance," and "Je ne Sais Quoi." She is also the author of Screenwriting for Dummies. She is a recipient of the TCG National Playwriting Residency, the Jerome Fellowship, the New Play Award from ACT in Seattle, and a Dramatist Guild Playwriting Fellowship. This spring, "Shapeshifter" will receive its world premiere at Trinity Repertory Company (Providence).
Kubzansky is an award-winning director who has worked around the country at venues such as South Coast Rep, the Geffen Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, The Publick Theatre (Boston), and others. She has directed a great many world premieres and she received the 2004 LA Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre.
"Courting Vampires" previews for six performances beginning April 30, opens May 9 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 7. 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.
"Courting Vampires" is supported in part 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 9, 8 pm, contact: sandy@aldrichpr.com