The Body of Bourne, John Belluso's examination of the life of essayist, poet and orator Randolph Bourne, opens its world premiere engagement at Los Angeles' Mark Taper Forum June 7. Performances began May 26 for a run through July 15.
The Body of Bourne traces the brief, but brillant life of a disfigured man who turned to learning instead of bitterness, overcoming his hunched back, short stature and twisted features to fire the counterculture with his writings. Although he died at 32 during a great flu epidemic in 1918, he managed to compose three books, more than a hundred essays and was immortalized in John Dos Passos' "U.S.A." trilogy for not living to see the truth of his anti-World War I statements.
Belluso's other plays include Gretty Good Time, Body Songs, The Rules of Charity and Henry Flamethrowa, Trinity Rep. He is the co director of Other Voices, the Mark Taper Forum's play program geared towards artists with disabilities.
Frequent La Jolla Playhouse helmer and resident director at the Mark Taper Forum Lisa Peterson (Wonderland, Triumph of Love) directs Stephen Caffrey, Nicolas Coster, Mitchell Edmonds, Heather Ehlers, Lisa Lovett-Mann, Michele Marsh, Clark Middleton, Jenny O'Hara, Jill Remez, Ann Stocking, Michael Eric Strickland, Jodi Thelen and Christopher Thornton.
Designing The Body of Bourne are Rachel Hauck (sets), Candice Cain (costumes), Geoff Korf (lighting) and Darron L. West (sound). James T. McDermott is the production stage manager. Tickets are available by calling (213) 628-2772. Taper Forum is located at 135 N. Grand Ave. and on the web at http://www.taperahmanson.com.
— By Christine Ehren
