L.A. Theatre Ensemble's 'Wounded' Returns April 13

With Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the national headlines on a daily basis, the critically-acclaimed Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble production of Wounded returns to The Powerhouse Theatre on April 13 following its sold-out, limited engagement last spring. 

Collaboratively conceived and written by the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble and directed by Tom Burmester, Wounded is based on true accounts of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Set in the Fisher House rehabilitation home at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC, the main point of re-entry for wounded soldiers, sailors, and Marines , Wounded follows four young veterans and their families on their quest to readjust to life back home and get on with lives newly transformed by physical and emotional injury.  With their time in the war behind them, these men and women discover that their real battle is about to begin.

"We had great reviews and strong word-of-mouth, but had to close the show prematurely because the theater was committed to another production," explains Powerhouse managing director Eric Sims.  "We're delighted that the entire original cast is available to bring back this exciting new work for the longer run it deserves."

Countless hours of research, interviews, improvisation, transcriptions, revelations, and conversations went into developing the Wounded script.  After months of negotiating a maze of military bureaucracy, the Ensemble managed to arrange a trip to Fisher House to interview returning veterans and their family members.  There, they were privileged to spend time with three outstanding individuals whose experiences and stories provided the inspiration for the fictional characters in the play: Navy Corpsman Joe Dan "Doc" Worley, who ran into open fire to save an injured Marine; Sgt. Jason Pepper, who lost his eyes to a roadside bomb; and Major Tammy Duckworth, a Blackhawk pilot who wants to fly again after losing both her legs and who was narrowly defeated in her bid for Congress last November.

Wounded, the first in Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble's "War Cycle;" had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, 2005, and premiered for an American audience last May at The Powerhouse Theatre with special preview performances at UCLA as part of the UCLA Live series.  The Los Angeles Times wrote, "The urgent timeliness of Wounded is unmistakable... Recommended!."  Agreed the LA Weekly, "GO!... quickly finds its target... the entire ensemble delivers strong performances."  The second play in the cycle, which explores the emotional consequences of deployment, is currently in development for production this summer. 

The six-week run, featuring original cast members Albert Meijer, Emeka Nnadi, Emily Rose, Morgan Early, Carly Reeves, Carrie Bradac, Spencer Nicholas, Lauren Eckstrom, and Eric Ancker, takes place April 13 through May 19.  Scenic and lighting design for Wounded are by Francois-Pierre Couture; fight choreography is by Spencer Nicholas; and dance choreography is by Rebecca Rainboldt.  Wounded is recommended for mature audiences.

Tom Burmester, founder and artistic director of the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble, has directed over 30 productions for the stage including Kindred by Daniel Keleher, Metamorphosis by Mary Zimmer, A Heavenly Blast by Rose Martula, Les Parents Terribles by Jean Cocteau, La Bete by David Hirson, and Oleanna by David Mamet.  Tom is also the writer/co-creator of the new comic book series "Remenants," which explores the possibility of a post-American future. 

The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to staging theater works of high artistic integrity while endeavoring to remain broadly accessible and genuinely entertaining. The ensemble holds fast in its commitment to strike a balance between providing a venue for emerging artists and veteran artists; between the works of new playwrights, and revisiting timely and important classics. 

The Powerhouse Theatre Company, which makes its home at the Powerhouse, a historical building originally erected in 1910 to house the Southern California Edison Electrical Plant for the city of Santa Monica, is committed to nurturing innovative new work, and has introduced Los Angeles audiences to critically-acclaimed world premieres such as the multiple award-winning The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World; the scathingly funny The Family Room by Aron Coleite; Golden Prospects: A Los Angeles Melodrama by Colin Campbell; and A Series of Comedic Lectures with John Lehr. 

Wounded runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm April 13 through May 19, with three Thursday performances on April 26, May 3 and 10, also at 8 pm.  Tickets are $15.00 (for members of the military and students with valid ID) and $25.00.  Wounded is recommended for mature audiences.  The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off Main Street between Rose and Marine.  Guests in wheelchairs should call in advance to make arrangements.  For reservations and information, the public should call (310) 396-3680 x3 or visit www.latensemble.org .