The critically-acclaimed new play Bakersfield Mist has extended for a third time at The Fountain Theatre, through December 18.
Hailed as "Critic's Choice" in the Los Angeles Times, the world premiere comedy, written and directed by Stephen Sachs and starring husband-and-wife actors Jenny O'Hara and Nick Ullett, has been playing to sold-out houses and earning standing ovations since it opened last June.
The imagined meeting of foul-mouthed, unemployed, trailer park-dwelling Maude Gutman, who believes the painting she bought in a thrift store for $3 is really an undiscovered masterpiece worth millions, and stuffy New York art expert Lionel Percy who arrives to evaluate the work, was inspired by a true story. The comedy/drama is a fiery and often hilarious debate over class, truth, value, and the meaning of art.
The Los Angeles production has received rave reviews containing superlatives such as "Exhilarating" (Los Angeles Times); "A triumph!" (Back Stage); "Delightful" (LA Weekly); "Exquisite" (BroadwayWorld); "Brilliant" (On Stage Los Angeles); "A delight" (StageandCinema.com); "Spectacular" (Santa Monica Daily Press); "Terrific" (Park La Brea News/Beverly Press); "A laugh riot" (Examiner.com); "Entertaining and provocative" (Buzzine); "Yum!" (CultureVulture.net); "Wow!" (StageSceneLA); "A knock out" (Reviewplays.com); and "A jewel of a play" (Frontiers). "Now I know why ‘Bakersfield Mist' has been selling out every night," editor Mike Napoli recently posted on PerformingArtsLive.com. To read all of the reviews in their entirety, visit www.FountainTheatre.com.
The Fountain Theatre production marks the world premiere of Sachs' play. A second production recently concluded a successful run at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre in Wellfleet, MA; a third is scheduled to open at the New Jersey Repertory Company in December; and a fourth opens at New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA, near Boston, in February. Plans for other future productions nationwide and in the UK are underway.
The Fountain Theatre production of Bakersfield Mist is supported in part by the National New Play Network's flagship program, the Continued Life of New Plays Fund, which is a cooperative venture designed to ensure that new plays see future productions beyond the initial world premiere.
Performances of Bakersfield Mist continue Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2 pm through December 18. All tickets are $30. On Thursdays and Fridays only, students with ID are $20 and seniors are $25. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5.00. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.
