By Ernio Hernandez
28 Sep 2007

From Top: Gregory Itzin, Michael Daniel Cassady and Melody Butiu in Shipwrecked!
photo by Henry DiRocco

The world premiere of Donald Margulies' Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself) — starring Gregory Itzin of television's "24" — officially opens Sept. 28 at South Coast Repertory.

Bart DeLorenzo directs the work, which began previews Sept. 23 at SCR's Julianne Argyros Stage. Performances will continue through Oct. 14.

Itzin takes on the title character, who "narrates his story as he embarks on a 30-year adventure so inspiring of awe – according to Louis – it will make your pupils dilate and your pulse race," reads show notes. "A dog, a giant octopus, a pickpocket, a crusty old sea captain and a librarian are just a few of the characters in Margulies' creation... inspired by the true story of an unlikely hero who spellbound Victorian England – and the world – with his incredible tale."

The cast for the world-premiere run also features Melody Butiu (The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow) and Michael Daniel Cassady (PPF reading of Shipwrecked!, Catalpa) in a number of roles.

SCR commissioned Shipwrecked! and first presented it as a staged reading at the 10th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) with DeLorenzo directing Itzin opposite Charlayne Woodard.

Itzin has also appeared at SCR in the NewSCRipts reading of Lincolnesque, productions of Cyrano de Bergerac, Romeo and Juliet and Beyond Therapy as well as the Hispanic Playwrights Project reading of Bang Bang Blues — he reprised his turn in the latter at New York's Public Theater. The actor, who portrayed President Charles Logan on "24," has also been seen in "Star Trek" and The Kentucky Cycle.

Margulies continues his collaboration with SCR following the premieres of his Brooklyn Boy and Sight Unseen. Other works include the 2000 Pulitzer Prize winner Dinner with Friends as well as Two Days, God of Vengeance, The Model Apartment, The Loman Family Picnic, Found a Peanut, Luna Park and What's Wrong With This Picture?

The design team includes Keith Mitchell (set), Candice Cain (costume), Rand Ryan (lighting), Steven Cahill (composer/sound) and Christine Marie (puppet). John Glore serves as dramaturg, and Erin Nelson is stage manager.

Tickets to Shipwrecked! and subscriptions to the new season at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, CA, are available by calling (714) 708-5555. For more information visit scr.org.

Melody Butiu, Michael Daniel Cassady and Gregory Itzin star in Donald Margulies' Shipwrecked!
photo by Henry DiRocco