Boston Court and Furious Theatre Announce Co-Production of THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, Opening 7/28

The Theatre @ Boston Court and Furious Theatre Company present "The Government Inspector," a World Premiere adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's "The Government Inspector" adapted by, and original songs by Oded Gross, directed by Stefan Novinksi. The play opens July 28 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

The corrupt, self-seeking officials of a small town in Tzarist Russia mistake a penniless clerk for a Government Inspector, and chaos, recrimination, and retribution ensue. This classic satire on human vanity and the corruption of elected officials is more relevant today than ever. Re-envisioned as a cutting, tragic farce with influences from Monty Python and Brazil, this painful, hilarious investigation of people's characters gone to seed makes for hysterical comedy with a good dose of soul.

"We're thrilled for this opportunity to return to Pasadena and to Boston Court for another co-production." Furious Co-Artistic Director Nick Cernoch said. "This collaboration gives both of our organizations a chance to do something unexpected while still keeping our missions to bring daring new works to the stage."

The Theatre @ Boston Court Co-Artistic Director Michael Michetti added "We are so delighted to once again partner with our fellow Pasadena artists Furious Theatre Company to bring this new and ridiculously timely Government Inspector to life. Oded Gross's brilliant new adaptation of Gogol's classic makes profoundly obvious how much the story of government and corruption has not aged, and Boston Court and Furious Theatre, in collaboration with director Stefan Novinski, are thrilled to be making a piece of work that provokes both high hilarity and painful groans of recognition of the truth of our times."

"The Government Inspector" features John Billingsley, Alan Brooks, Joe Fria, Megan Goodchild, Sara Hennessy, Shannon Holt, Adam Hunter, Dana Kelly, Jacob Sidney and Eileen T'Kaye.

Production staff for "The Government Inspector" includes Donna Marquet, scenic design; Steven Young, lighting design; John Ballinger, sound design, musical direction and arrangements; Tina Haatainen-Jones, costume design; Robyn Taylor, prop design; Raul Staggs, casting director; and Kevin Shewey, stage manager.

Gross was the Co-adapter of "The Imaginary Invalid" and "The Servant of Two Masters" for Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Other plays include "Tragedy" (book and music, Piccolo Spoleto Festival), "And God Said !@#?" (Montreal International Fringe Theatre Festival); "The Comedy of Romeo and Juliet" (HBO Workspace); "Why Am I Here?" (Whitmore-Lindley Theatre); "Frank Thomas Show" (Powerhouse Theatre). Screenwriting credits include "American Fido", "Spooky Buddies" (Key Pix Productions/Disney). TV credits include "TMZ" (Warner Bros. Television); "Confessions: Animal Hoarding Revisited" (Animal Planet); "Most Daring, Top 20 Most Shocking" (TRU TV); "Untold Stories of the ER" (TLC and Discovery Channel) and "Outdoor Outtakes" (OLN).

Novinski is a freelance director based in Dallas, TX. Credits include "Medea" (The Theatre @ Boston Court); "Sideways Stories" and "A Little Night Music" (South Coast Rep); "Nighthawks" (CTG at the Kirk Douglas Theatre); "J.O.B. the Hip-Hopera" in Los Angeles and at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (LA Weekly and LA Drama Critics Circle nominations for Best Direction and Best Musical); "The Map Maker's Sorrow" (Summer Play Festival, NYC); "Wreckage" by Caridad Svitch (New Dramatists); "Around The World in 80 Days" (The Colony Theatre); "Skin of Our Teeth" (Evidence Room, LA Weekly Award, Best Revival 2003); "The Time of Your Life" and "Cosmonaut's Last Message…" (Open Fist, LA Weekly Awards for Direction and Best Production 2003). He holds an MFA in Directing from the University of California, San Diego and is currently an Assistant Professor for Drama at The University of Dallas in Texas.

"The Government Inspector" previews for six performances beginning July 19, opens July 28 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through August 26. Preview tickets are priced at $17 and regular performances at $34. Senior, student and group discounts are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at bostoncourt.org or by calling (626) 683-6883. Boston Court Performing Arts Center is located one block north of Colorado Blvd. at the corner of Mentor Ave. and Boston Ct.

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