Elephant Theatre Company Announces Upcoming Season

Elephant Theatre Company, David Fofi and Lindsay Allbaugh, Co-Artistic Directors, has announced its 16th season, which will kick off on April 26 with the Los Angeles premiere of The North Plan by Jason Wells, followed by the world premiere of Revelation by Samuel Brett Williams, and concluding with two plays in repertory by Timothy McNeil, a new production of Anything and the world premiere of The Twilight of Schlomo.

In The North Plan, a ruthless splinter group seizes power in Washington, and a state bureaucrat steals the new regime's top secret Enemies List. He then ends up in a small Ozark police station with a diverse group of colorful locals. The North Plan is a sharp, dark, dystopian comedy set in the here and now. Directed by David Fofi, this Los Angeles premiere opens April 26 and runs through June 2 at the Elephant Space. Playwright Jason Wells is a winner of the ATCA M. Elizabeth Osborn Award, and has been a finalist for the American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg/New Play Award. His other plays include Men of Tortuga and Perfect Mendacity. The North Plan debuted at Steppenwolf's First Look in Chicago in 2010, and had its official world premiere at Portland Center Stage in Oregon.

Up next is the world premiere of Revelation by Samuel Brett Williams. Revelation tells the tale of Brandon, whose family always taught him to be prepared for the Rapture. When people begin disappearing and the Hudson River turns to blood, Brandon and his friend Rebecca head from New York to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in hope of finding the New Jerusalem. The play explores faith, love, and the American landscape in this pitch black comedy about the End of Days. Directed by Lindsay Allbaugh, Revelation opens July 19 and runs through August 25 at the Lillian Theatre. Samuel Brett Williams is a winner of the Helen Merrill Emerging Playwright Award. His other plays include The Revival, The Woodpecker, and Derby Day. Williams' plays have been developed and/or produced in such prestigious venues as the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference, New York Theatre Workshop, Naked Angels, The Kennedy Center, Yale University, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and more.

Closing out the 2013 season will be two plays in repertory by Timothy McNeil. A new production of Anything and the world premiere of The Twilight of Schlomo feature residents living in the same apartment building in Hollywood. In Anything, Early is a widower from Mississippi, and Frieda is the abused, transgendered, prostitute-thief-junkie next door. Their unlikely friendship is a tale of second chances, salvation, and a gentle reminder that love exists in infinite varieties. A not-so-classic love story about two truly unique human beings, Anything had its world premiere at the Elephant in 2008, receiving four Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award nominations, winning three, including Best Play. It was also nominated by GLAAD as best production of the year. In The Twilight of Schlomo, former stand-up comic Richard faces a deep mid-life crisis, wrestling with his own personal truths as his troubled past catches up with him. The play explores how our simplest choices sometimes have far-reaching effects for those around us, and how redemption might never be too far away. With these two productions, the Elephant continues its longstanding relationship with Timothy McNeil, a company member who has written over 20 plays. In addition to Anything, the company also produced his plays Supernova and Los Muertos, and other productions of his plays in Los Angeles include Margaret, Crane, Mississippi, and most recently, the acclaimed Machu Picchu, Texas. Anything and The Twilight of Schlomo will run in rep from November 1 through December 15 at the Lillian Theatre.

Tickets for the Elephant Theatre Company's 2013 Season are currently available by subscription only, and may be purchased online at www.ElephantTheatre.org, or via phone at (855) NO-FORGET [663-6743]. The Elephant Space is located at 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard and the Lillian Theatre is located at 1076 Lillian Way (off Santa Monica Boulevard, just west of Vine), both in Hollywood.

The Elephant Theatre Company now returns from their 2012 producing hiatus, during which time they successfully addressed many of their goals to secure the company's stability and ensure longevity. New to the organization are Producing Director Greg Borrud, and Managing Director Rick Bernstein. Two fundraising events were held; Poker Royale (which will now be held annually), and the annual Season Launch Gala, which set a new record by netting $16,000 for Elephant operating expenses. Artistically, two new programs were started. The Trunk Show is a monthly storytelling event that brings together Elephant company members with non-members, to share stories on a common theme. Elephants in the Room is a year-long playwriting workshop, which culminates with new, finished works.

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