Friedman, Fodor, Goldberg, Gibson, Brokaw, Whoriskey Among Artists in DouglasPlus Season in L.A.

By Kenneth Jones
08 Oct 2009

Programming for the 2009-10 season of DouglasPlus, the Center Theatre Group's new program that "fosters new work, new theatrical forms and new audiences" at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles, was announced on Oct. 8.

Between October 2009 and February 2010, the program's participating artists will include playwrights Kate Fodor and Jessica Goldberg; modern vaudevillians Geoff Sobelle and Trey Lyford with magician Steve Cuiffo; writer-lyricist Melissa James Gibson and composer Michael Friedman; and multi-disciplinary artist Lars Jan.

The first season's popular youth theatre piece featuring an "electro-luminescent wire dinosaur," Darwin, will also return.

Expect "an eclectic mix of theatre choices that utilize both traditional and non-traditional performance spaces," according to CTG.

Here are the highlights of the 2009-10 season of DouglasPlus:

  • Rx by Kate Fodor (Hannah and Martin and 100 Saints You Should Know) will open DouglasPlus with reading presentations on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 at 8 PM.

    "A new play commissioned by Center Theatre Group, and directed by Matt Shakman, Rx is an office comedy in which the struggles of a magazine editor to beat workplace depression lead her to a clinical drug trial and perhaps a true prescription for happiness."

  • Staged workshop presentations of Next Stop Amazingland by Geoff Sobelle and Trey Lyford (the creators of all wear bowlers) and magician Steve Cuiffo will be held Nov. 4, 6 and 8 at 8 PM.

    "Commissioned by CTG, Next Stop Amazingland is the story of three semi-pro magicians on the journey of a lifetime bringing wonder to the masses. Both satirizing and embracing the dazzling world of magic, the play looks at the personal truths and deceptions behind all the smoke and mirrors."

  • A special one-night-only cabaret, The Lunacy Commission, by Lars Jan, will take place Nov. 7 from 9 PM-1 AM in the Douglas lobby and rehearsal room.

    "Created by Lars Jan, The Lunacy Commission is a cross-disciplinary performance party revolving around the evaluation and treatment of mental imbalance, from lobotomies to Lexapro. The evening will feature short-form performance, live music and visual art created by some of Los Angeles' most committed (no pun intended) experimental performing artists. The Lunacy Commission is a project of the art lab Early Morning Opera, for which Jan is the founder and director. Jan's work is being developed with the assistance of CTG's Richard E. Sherwood Award which he received in 2007."

  • A reading presentation of Just War by Jessica Goldberg, directed by Kate Whoriskey, will be held Nov. 14 at 8 PM.

    "Commissioned by CTG, Just War is based on the true story of Darrell Griffin Sr. of Van Nuys, CA, and his son, Darrell Griffin Jr., who died in 2007 while on combat duty in Iraq. While serving, Darrell Jr. kept a journal that he and his dad were planning to turn into a book once Darrell Jr. returned to the states. Darrell Sr., seeking closure and solace, decided to finish the book. Just War depicts the powerful connection between father and son and pays homage to the American soldier."

  • Darwin, An Adventure for All Ages, will have family-friendly performances Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at 11 AM and 3 PM, and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 11 AM. Student matinees (CTG's Young Audiences Program) will be held Jan. 20–22 and Jan. 26–29.

    "Created by Corbin Popp and Ian Carney with a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance, Darwin is the heartwarming story of a dinosaur named Darwin, who is created piece by piece by a famous scientist with magic powers. When Darwin is complete, he is sent off on an adventure, meeting all types of other creatures, and learning what is really important in life. Special, free, puppet-making workshops will be held following each public performance of Darwin."

  • Staged workshop presentations of Post Office, with book and lyrics by Melissa James Gibson (Suitcase or, those that resemble flies from a distance, [sic] and This) and music by Michael Friedman (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and This Beautiful City), will be held Feb. 17, 18, 20 and 21 at 8 PM.

    "The infamous, mind-numbing lines at the post office belie the drama in the lives of customers and clerks alike in this new musical, directed by Mark Brokaw. Commissioned by CTG, Post Office looks at parenthood, love, legacy and responsibility in an unpredictable and winning way."

    The DouglasPlus events will have general admission seating, except for Post Office which will have reserved seating.

    Tickets to DouglasPlus are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the CTG box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.

    The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA.