For the first time since 1940, Los Angeles will see Noël Coward's collection of ten one-act plays, Tonight at 8:30, performed in its entirety.
Each evening of the Antaeus run will feature four plays on a rotating schedule. The two remaining titles will be presented as special events during the run.
In addition to the nine one-acts originally published by Coward, Star Chamber, pulled and banned by Coward after only one performance, will be performed as part of the collection.
The two evenings include: "If Love Were All," featuring Star Chamber, We Were Dancing, Astonished Heart and Hands Across The Sea; as well as "Come The Wild," including Red Peppers, Fumed Oak, Family Album and Still Life.
Originally produced on Broadway in 1936 starring Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, the audience would be able to select three of the plays for performance that evening, ensuring that no performance of Tonight at 8:30 was ever the same. Audiences can expect Coward's sophisticated comic touch as well as some works inspired by his middle-class Middlesex family origins. Many consider Coward's one-acts to be among the finest examples of English language short-plays.
The Antaeus Company has double-cast each production with members of its ensemble, including Rhonda Aldrich, John Apicella, Gigi Bermingham, Bill Brochtrup, Anne Gee Byrd, Emily Chase, Josh Clark, JD Cullum, Ramon DeOcampo, Dawn Didawick, Francia DiMase, Nike Doukas, Emily Eiden, Angela Goethals, Harry Groener, Jeanie Hackett, Shannon Holt, Tamara Krinsky, Dakin Matthews, Adam Meyer, Lynn Milgrim, Jeffrey Nordling, Angela Paton, Melinda Peterson, Christina Pickles, Ray Porter, Kirsten Potter, Lawrence Pressman, Philip Proctor, John Prosky, Raphael Sbarge, Ned Schmidtke, Devon Sorvari, Susan Sullivan, Kitty Swink, Peter Van Norden, Geoffrey Wade, Laura Wernette, Amelia White, Mirron Willis, and Alicia Wollerton.
Among the directors set for Tonight at 8:30 are Brendon Fox, Robert Goldsby, Willaim Ludel, Michael Murray, Stefan Novinski and Stephanie Shroyer.
The creative team includes scenic design by John Iacovelli, costume design by A. Jeffrey Schoenberg, lighting design by Leigh Allen, sound design by John Zalewski, choreography by Kay Cole and musical direction by Matt Goldsby. Tonight at 8:30 is produced by Laura Hill.
The schedule for the rotating productions of Tonight at 8:30 follows:
If Love Were All previews from Oct. 20-26, with official opening set for Oct. 27 and 28. Performances continue Nov. 1-4, 14-15, 18, 23-25, 28-29; and Dec. 2, 7-9, 13, 16, 20, 22-23.
Come The Wild previews Nov. 5-9 with official openings set for Nov. 10 and 11. Performances continue Nov. 16-18, 21, 24-25, & 30; and Dec. 1-2, 5-6, 9, 14-16,19, 21 & 23.
Audiences will have the opportunity to see all eight plays performed in sequence on Nov. 18, 24-25; and Dec. 2, 9, 16, & 23.
The Antaeus Company performs Tonight at 8:30 at its interim home, the Deaf West Theatre, located at 5112 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA.
Tickets for Tonight at 8:30 are available by calling (866) 811-4111. For further information visit www.antaeus.org.
