The Next Arena will presents Stephen S. Simek's new translation of Havel's play under the direction of Alex Lippard. The production will officially open Feb. 13 and continue through March 28 at the Lounge Theatre.
Stiller, known for her television role on "The King of Queens," will be featured in a cast that also includes Steve Hamill, Kristina Hayes, Eric Normington, Bobby Reed, Scott Rognlien and Sarah Wolter.
Press notes for Havel's work state, "Dr. Edward Hummel, a sociologist, is home nursing a cold when he is visited by a team of government researchers. Led by Dr. Betty Balthazar, they attempt to analyze Hummel's personality using an Artificial Intelligence machine named Pazuk. Throughout the experiment, the sex-crazed Hummel strings along his wife, mistress and young student in a series of sexual indiscretions, creating a comic whirlwind of jealous women and slamming doors. When the Pazuk machine breaks down, Hummel cracks under pressure, the emotions he has been repressing behind his intellectual, academic façade spilling out in a hilarious and chilling climax."
The Increased Difficulty of Concentration has costume design by Shon Le Blanc, lighting design by Matt Richter, set design by Frederica Nascimento and sound design by Sloe Slawinski.
Tickets, priced $20, are available by phoning (323) 960-7788 or by visiting Plays411.com. The Lounge Theatre is located at 6201 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood, CA.
