CTG's THE NIGHT WATCHER Begins Rehearsals

Rehearsals begin this week for "The Night Watcher," Charlayne Woodard's newest play, which will be produced at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre, November 17 through December 18, 2011. The opening is set for November 20. "The Night Watcher," written and performed by Woodard, will be directed by her frequent collaborator, Daniel Sullivan.

A best friend, advisor, confidant and sage to the many young people for whom she is an auntie or a godmother, Charlayne Woodard pays homage in "The Night Watcher" to the life-enhancing intimacy that can exist between children and the loving extended family of "other" adults who are not related. Told with penetrating grace and candor, Woodard beautifully weaves together stories of the ordinary and extraordinary ways she has mentored the children in her life.

"The Night Watcher" features scenic design by Thomas Lynch and Charlie Corcoran, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting design by Geoff Korf, original music and sound design by Obadiah Eaves and original projection design by Tal Yarden. The production stage manager is Mary K Klinger.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times said, "[Charlayne] roams the stage
. . . like a human searchlight, casting a permanent glow that reaches all the way to the back rows." Joe Dzemianowicz of the New York Daily News said that in Woodard's ". . . brightly polished and poignant new autobiographical play . . . the stories are joyful, amusing and sometimes harrowing . . . she brings adults and children to vibrant life."

"The Night Watcher" had its world premiere at the Seattle Repertory Theatre in October 2008 (and  was previously workshopped at the La Jolla Playhouse and Ojai Playwrights Festival). It was presented in New York by Primary Stages in September 2009.

Woodard's first play, "Pretty Fire" (L.A. Drama Critics Circle and NAACP Awards for Best Play and Best Playwright) was produced at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Seattle Rep and La Jolla Playhouse. She first appeared at the Mark Taper Forum in the 1997-1998 season in "Neat" which was also produced at the MTC (Outer Critics Circle Award nomination) and Seattle Rep. "In Real Life," commissioned by CTG and Seattle Rep went on to be nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for best solo performance, and was presented at the Taper in the 2000-2001 season. "Pretty Fire," "Neat" and "In Real Life" were all directed by Daniel Sullivan. CTG also commissioned "Flight" for CTG's youth theatre and theatre education program and presented the play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in the 2004-2005 season.

Tickets are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group 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 90232.