'EXILE' continues on at REDCAT

The run of 'The Exile of Petie DeLarge' at Son of Semele Theater was tremendously successful, and I am so grateful to all the friends and intrepid theater-goers who came out to support.

What's that you say?  You were out of LA, or hiding out in June and you missed the excitement of 'Exile' bursting out of the 36-seat Son of Semele Theater?  Well, lucky you, you get a second chance! Because REDCAT (the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater) in downtown LA is kicking of its annual New Original Works (NOW) Festival with our show, July 22-24.

Link to article from LA Times' Culture Monster on REDCAT/NOW 2010

And if you did catch the show at SOSE, come see it again at REDCAT.  As 'Exile' is a work-in-progress, we learned a lot from the 6 performances in June, and have gone back into our rehearsal process.  The result is some big changes, as we adjust to a larger space and get deeper into text and character, improve the mask work and integration of music.  We hope you like the growth of the piece as much as we do!

Now for some cool pictures from SOSE:

(in photo: Erica Bitton, Liam Springthorpe, Alexandra Kustin, Julian Evens)

(in photo, from left: Jiehae Park, Julian Evens, Liam Springthorpe)

(in photo: Julian Evens, Anne Yatco)

(in photo: Alexandra Kustin)

(in photo, from left: Jiehae Park, Julian Evens, Erica Bitton, Liam Springthorpe)

(in photo: Alexandra Kustin, Erica Bitton)

(in photo: Erica Bitton, Jiehae Park)

(in photo: Liam Springthorpe, Erica Bitton, Jiehae Park)

Rock. N. Roll.  C. U. There.

-- Liz E

'EXILE' featured in LA Stage Alliance blog

Maureen Huskey and I sat down with reporter Ashley Steed from the LA Stage Alliance's blog to talk about 'The Exile of Petie DeLarge'.

Here's an excerpt:

" There comes a time when we must grow up and become an adult. But what does that even mean?

Recent CalArts Master’s grad and founder of the production company A Collection of Shiny Objects, Elizabeth English, realized she had been fed a lot of b.s. about life and what it means to be an adult. This was the impetus for searching for a new script and a new way of storytelling.

“I wanted to produce a project of some of the things I’ve been thinking about. Artistically, personally and politically.”

About a year ago English met up with an old college friend, playwright Jennifer Barclay. “Jen said to me, ‘I wrote this play and it’s kind of a cross between A Clockwork Orange, Peter Pan and Lord of the Flies. And Peter Pan is a girl and I think it’s a musical,’” she laughs. “And I said, ‘Well that sounds interesting, I think that might be my play.’” "

Read the full article at LA Stage Alliance blog

Less Than Two Weeks!

That's right.

There are less than 2 weeks left till both THE EXILE OF PETIE DELARGE opens at Son of Semele Theater and HYPERBOLE: origins opens as a part of the Hollywood Fringe at Art/Works.

I admit it, I feel like a proud parent. I've been to rehearsals for both shows and they look fan-freakin'-tastic.

"EXILE" has sex, drugs, rock, crazy masks... and french fries.  It features the acting talents of Erica Bitton, Julian Evens, Alexandra Kustin, Jiehae Park, Liam Springthorpe & Anne Yatco, and design by Kit Stolen, E.M. Gimenez & Bryan Yu.

"EXILE" opens Friday, June 18th at 8 pm, and runs Saturday, June 19th at 2 pm & 8 pm, Friday, June 25th at 8 pm, and Saturday, June 26th at 2 pm & 8 pm.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Son of Semele Theater is located at 3301 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004.

"HYPERBOLE" is the latest creation of award-winning Rogue Artists Ensemble, and they've opened up their process to me as Co-Producer.  "HYPERBOLE" explores a bunch of different origin stories, things that are personal to things that are mythological, with masks, puppets, video and other quirky tech gadgets.  And there are sperm puppets, you've got to see them.

"HYPERBOLE" will be running for TWO PREVIEWS ONLY Sunday, June 20th at 4 pm & 8 pm as a part of the first annual Hollywood Fringe.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Art/Works is located at 6567-6585 Santa Monica Boulevard Hollywood, CA 90038.

See you at the shows!  -- Liz E

Announcing Performance Dates for The Exile of Petie DeLarge

Mark your calendars!  The Exile of Petie DeLarge is going into its workshop phase this month!

I couldn't be more pleased on the cast and creative team I've assembled (keep your eyes on this blog for a formal announcement of the cast list soon).

A Collection of Shiny Objects, otherwise known as my little upstart company of one, has entered into partnership with Son of Semele Ensemble through their developmental "SOSEhost" initiative.  We will be presenting workshop presentations of this all new play-with-music June 18, 19, 25 & 26 at SOSE's Silvelake theater at 3301 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles 90004.

Inspired by the iconic novels A Clockwork Orange, The Lord of the Flies and Peter Pan, tells a story of youthful rebellion, lost innocence and dark moral questions.  It features live sound and recorded music, mask and movement work, puppeted objects... and french fries. 

You don't want to miss this show.  I don't want you to miss out on this show.  Son of Semele is a small theater, and we're only doing 6 performances.  Get your tickets here now.

I also continue to be accepting donations to get this project completed.  The goal is in sight, but I am still greatful for all and any support.  If you'd like your name in the program and my serious gratitude please click the button below.

Photo Highlights - Silver Years of Dust at Highways

Magic Framework - Choreography by Stacy Dawson Stearns

(Pictured: Jessica Emmanuel, Stacy Dawson Stearns)





Off The Wall - Choreography by Tymberly Canale

(Pictured: Chris Giarmo)





Snow (a study) - Choreography by Tymberly Canale

(Pictured: Neil Harris, Tymberly Canale)





All photos courtesy of Megan Westerby.

Photographing the Bradbury

My Graphic Designer/Friend/Current Housemate, Anachrolush (aka Zoe), blogs about our photo trip
to the Bradbury Building last weekend.

Research work for the graphic design for 'The Exile of Petie DeLarge'.

More at the link: Bradburying

Silver Years of Dust

Among my many interests in producing I have started to get involved with dance/physical theater, too.

I had the good fortune of meeting Stacy Dawson Stearns and Tymberly Canale while helping out with a residency with NY-based Big Dance Theater at the Getty Villa in Malibu this past February.   Tymberly is a current company member and Stacy is an alum.

Next week we will be putting up 2 performances of some new pieces by Stacy "Magic Framework", and Tymberly "Snow (A Study)" and "Off the Wall" under the title Silver Years of Dust at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica.

What they say about the pieces:

Bessie-Award winning Stacy Dawson Stearns premieres her newest piece Magic Framework, a collaboration with Jessical Emmanuel, Tim Cummings and composer Jonathon Stearns of the Oh Soon Orchestra. Making the invisible visible in a voluptuous cycle of dark properties mingling, we invite you to the Framework. You like to see this.

New York superstar Tymberly Canale brings Snow: A Study, along with the world-premiere of Off the Wall. Bringing her dancers from Tel Aviv and NYC, Canale brings a gift of dance performance to the City of Angels in a rare West Coast appearance. Not to be missed!


There will be a discussion with the performers, moderated by Norman Frisch of the Getty Villa after the Friday, April 9th performance.

First Reading of EXILE

Last Sunday afternoon we gathered together some actors at director Maureen Huskey's home in Los Feliz and heard the script of The Exile of Petie DeLarge for the very first time.  Our composer, Colin, and designers Kit Stolen and Martin Gimenez were also there and we started to play.

It was a very promising first reading and we are excited to continue the workshop in May.

Pictured above (from left): Jennifer Barclay (playwright) & actors: Julian Evens, Ann Yatco, Liam Springthorpe & Erica Bitton

  

Pictured below (from left): Kathleen Heverin, Julian Evens, Liam Springthorpe, Erica Bitton, Ann Yatco, Alexandra Kustin

Hollywood Fringe Town Hall

Good meeting last night, though possibly a fire code violation - oops!  Theater in LA, who knew?

Hollywood Fringe Town Hall Attracts People From All Over LA | Bitter Lemons