WIT opens February 19, 2010 and performs through March 28, 2010. Ms. Marianne Savell is set to direct.
A woman confronting her own mortality embarks on a bold journey to save her life. Winner of the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for “Best New Play,†WIT is a moving, funny and wise drama centering on life, death and the value of human compassion. An exhilarating and harrowing 90-minute revelation, it is a dazzling and life-affirming play that you will remember long after the curtain has come down.
About the Director
Ms. Marianne Savell, former Producing Director of Actors Co-op, is set to direct WIT. Ms. Savell just completed directing THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW for B Street Theatre in Sacramento, CA. She directed last season’s critically-acclaimed production of THE CRUCIBLE for Actors Co-op. An accomplished triple-threat director/actor/teacher, Ms. Savell received her MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was a Guest Artist at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She is an alumnus and participant of Directors Lab West and an associate artist with Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle. Her directing credits include the critically acclaimed Jeff-nominated SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME (Victory Gardens, Chicago), the world premiere and LA Weekly award-winner GULF VIEW DRIVE, and the critically acclaimed and multi-award nominated AS IT IS IN HEAVEN among others.
About the Author
Margaret Edson was born in Washington, D.C. in 1961. She graduated with a B.A. in Renaissance History from Smith College and received a Master’s in English Literature from Georgetown University. Edson used her work experience as a clerk in the cancer inpatient unit of a major research hospital in Washington, D.C. as part of the background in writing WIT. The play was first produced in 1995 at South Coast Repertory and produced in New York in late 1998. At the time, Edson was a kindergarten teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. She won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for “Best New Play†for WIT. Edson currently teaches kindergarten at John Hope Elementary in Atlanta, where she is chair of the kindergarten team.
Creative Team
The award-winning creative team for WIT includes Set Designer Gary Lee Reed, Costume Designer Paula Higgins, Lighting Designer James L. Moody and Composer Joseph King Barkley. WIT is produced by David Scales.
About the Cast
The talented ensemble of WIT includes Lori Berg, Beth Castle, Phil Crowley, Alison Freeman, Nan McNamara, Tawny Mertes, Daniel J. Roberts, Kathryn Scott, Preston Vanderslice.
About Actors Co-op
In its 18th season of transforming theatre, Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Actors Co-op began on January 8th, 1987, with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership exceeds 40 professionals. Since the Crossley Theatre opened its doors in April of 1989 and its second theatre, the Crossley Terrace Theatre opened February of 1995, Actors Co-op has produced over 60 main stage productions, over 26 second stage productions, staged readings of original works, and has received 125 Drama-Logue Awards, 27 LA Weekly Award nominations (four wins), 25 Theatre LA Ovation Award nominations, five Garland Awards and five Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. In addition, Actors Co-op was honored with the 1996 Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Achievement” in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle as well as the 1996 Charlie Award for “Excellence in the Arts†by the Hollywood Arts Council.
Actors Co-op’s 18th season opened with BIG RIVER directed by Richard Israel, followed by SHERLOCK’S LAST CASE directed by Jeremy Lewit. The romantic comedy, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY directed by Douglas Clayton will complete the season.
Schedule
Opening Night for WIT is Friday, February 19, 2010 at 8 PM. A reception with the actors and creative team immediately follows the opening night performance. Preview Performance is Thursday, February 18 at 8 PM. Regular performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM. Saturday matinees are scheduled for February 27 and March 6 at 2:30 PM.
Pre-show Lecture – MUSE
Actors Co-op presents MUSE, a pre-performance lecture series on spirituality and the arts. The lecture/discussion for WIT takes place on Saturday, February 27 at 1:00 PM and will be led by Dr. Peter Senkbeil. The event includes a box lunch and admittance to the 2:30 PM matinee performance of WIT. Tickets are $30 and include lecture and performance. Lunch is available for an additional $8. Dr. Peter Senkbeil is a Vice President, Associate Provost and Professor of Theatre at Concordia University Irvine, where he has taught and directed since 1992. He holds a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Concordia University–Chicago, and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Theatre and Drama from Northwestern University. He has directed over 30 theatre productions and is a founding member of Christians in Theatre Arts and served four terms on its board of directors. In 2004, he received an Excellence in Education Award from the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival. He previously worked as the artistic director of Trinity House Theatre in Livonia, Michigan. He currently serves as a member of the editorial board for the scholarly journal Ecumenica (formerly Baylor Journal of Theatre and Performance).
Location
Actors Co-op’s Crossley Terrace Theatre is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of Hollywood Presbyterian Church, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, just off the Gower Street exit of the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Free, well-lit parking is available on Carlos Street (1/2 block east of Gower).
Ticket Information
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (60 and older) and $20 for students. Preview tickets are available for $20. Group rates are available for parties of six or more. For reservations, call (323) 462-8460, ext. 300.
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