The seven-performance run is part of CTG's new DouglasPlus program, which includes an eclectic mix of theatre choices, ranging from "fully-staged or minimally-staged events to workshops and readings," on the traditional Douglas stage or — as with The Projectionist — off. The lobby can fit about 50 theatregoers at a time for the show. Opening night is March 27. Short though the run is, the project is expected to be reviewed by critics.
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According to CTG, "The Projectionist is a wry comedy about an unlikely hero, Randy, living and working in a seedy, second-run movie house on the edge of Hollywood and Vine. Randy develops a relationship of sorts with the punk vixen he hires to sell popcorn, but his attention is diverted when Sal, the owner, shows up with a loaded pistol and a plan for opening the office safe. Soon, the action in the lobby becomes more violent than that on the screen."
The Douglas was originally the Culver Theater, a movie house built in 1947.
Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, the cast includes (in alphabetical order) Maynor Alvarado, Lauren Campedelli, Hugh Dane, Barry del Sherman, Tara Chocol Joyce, Christian Leffler, Hamish Linklater, Don Oscar Smith and Brittany Slattery. The creative team includes set designer Chris Covics, costume designer Ann Closs-Farley, lighting designer Anne Militello and sound designer John Ballinger. Erica R. Christensen is the production stage manager.
Sargent has been writing, directing and performing in his own work in Los Angeles and New York for over 20 years. As a teenaged playwright, Sargent studied with John Steppling. He went to UCLA, and beginning with Big Boy in 1988, Sargent had a string of hits at the Cast Theatre through the '90s including I Hate!, My Crime, Tarantula and The Brat! Sargent's Knock-outs! and Deep Inside Michael Sargent played marathon runs in the backspace at the original Theater/Theatre at Hollywood and Cahuenga. Sargent premiered Sweet Hostage, Hollywood Burning and 18 episodes of his late night weekly serial American Nympho at Bart DeLorenzo's Evidence Room. He wrote and directed the smash hit Steeltown at the Actors' Gang. Sargent is a member of Unknown Theater in Hollywood where his play Grand Motel is currently onstage (through March 28). Last year, Sargent starred in the world premiere of his own Torn Between 2 Bitches at Unknown.
The performance schedule for The Projectionist is March 26-28 at 8 PM; April 2 & 3 at 8 PM; April 4 at 7 PM & 9:30 PM.
Tickets are $20 (general admission) and available by calling CTG Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre, on-line at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, and in person two hours prior to curtain at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.
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DouglasPlus in 2009 also includes the works of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas (Before I Forget), Corbin Popp and Ian Carney's cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance (Darwin), solo performer Mike Daisey (How Theater Failed America and The Last Cargo Cult) and Hip-Hop theatre artist Matt Sax (Venice).
