North Coast Repertory Theatre

Man with a Load of Mischief

Music by John Clifton and Ben Tarver
Book by Ben Tarver, Directed by Rick Simas
September 4 – September 29, 2013

The stage is set for romance and intrigue! A great Off-Broadway musical sensation of the late 1960’s, this charming tale set in a wayside country inn in the England of the early nineteenth century is filled with song, humor and love. A handsome Nobleman and his Lackey, a beautiful Lady and her Maid. But the Nobleman isn’t noble, the Lackey is no lackey, the Lady is no lady, and the Maid is no maiden.

“Perfectly charming. A solid hit” – The New York Times.
“Sprightly and ingratiating” – New York Daily News
“Remarkably appealing” – New York Post.

Broken Glass

By Arthur Miller
Director by TBD
Featuring David Ellenstein
Previews October 16 – 18, 2013
October 19 – November 10, 2013

Arthur Miller’s Olivier award-winning drama takes place in Brooklyn in 1938. The master dramatist weaves a gripping mystery of guilt, personal tragedy and love. The complex personal relationships along with a plot filled with arresting incidents leads us through an examination of the playwright’s moral vision which ultimately delivers us to the poignant and dramatic conclusion. A must see for the serious theatre lover.

“Extraordinarily moving… near flawless” – The Daily Telegraph
“Mesmerizing…grips like a thriller. A rich evening” – The Times
“Quite an evening… Highly recommended.” –  Evening Standard

Who am I this Time (San Diego Premiere)

By Aaron Posner adapted from short stories by Kurt Vonnegut
Directed by TBA
Previews January 8 -10, 2014
January 11 – February 2, 2014

Adapted from Kurt Vonnegut’s early stories, this work is full of charm, magic and heart. Down a well-worn path, hand-in-hand, take a walk…through leaves and over bridges, breathe in the soul’s seductive moments through three love stories set in mythological small-town America. Along the circuitous course of love we travel with our new friends hoping to catch a genuine glimpse of humankind’s most elusive sentiment. Real folks. Real love. Real fun.

“Easy to love” – The Oregonian
“Really enjoyable: a warm, wise, engaging series of sketches with undeniable ‘date night’ appeal” -The Portland Monthly

School for Lies (San Diego Premiere)

By David Ives, adapted from Molière’s The Misanthrope
Directed by TBA
Preview February 19 – 21, 2014
February 22 – March 16, 2014

Molière’s wit meets its match in this saucy, scintillating new adaptation. Tony Award nominee David Ives’ deliciously off-color tribute to The Misanthrope stuffs a seventeenth-century farce full of contemporary slang—with results worthy of a Baroque vaudeville show. Amid a glittering world of gossip, glamour and scandal, a gaggle of misbehaving characters chatter away in hilarious rhyming couplets. This blissfully entertaining night promises to keep you laughing all the way home.

“Highly recommended! …a brilliantly dazzling homage to Moliere” – Chicago Sun-Times
“A highly extravagant and energetic production… Molière meets The Book of Mormon” – Chicago Tribune

Mandate Memories (World Premiere)

By Lionel Goldstein
Directed by David Ellenstein
Previews April 9 – 11, 2014
April 12 – May 4, 2014

In this taut and witty drama filled with revelations of love affairs, dreams and the founding of Israel, layers are peeled away to reveal the deep hearts of two caring and compassionate human beings. There is a mysterious connection between Gustav Frolich, an eighty-year-old Holocaust survivor and Jane Stirling, a sixty-two year-old widow as their debate reveals how different and yet how similar they are.

Faded Glory (World Premiere)

By Timothy Burns
Directed by David Ellenstein
Previews May 28 – 30, 2014
May 31 – June 22, 2014

Meet Daniel Sickles, a 19th-century Congressman, friend to presidents, Civil War general, lover of Queen Isabella of Spain, notorious philanderer, embezzler, murderer, and the officer who almost cost the Union victory in perhaps the most pivotal battle of the Civil War only to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Based on this real figure from American History, funny, poignant and filled with amazing little known historical information FADED GLORY promises to be a highlight of our season. A rollicking comedic romp through this amazing life.

Romance/Romance

Book and lyrics by Barry Harman, Music by Keith Herrmann
Directed by Rick Simas
Previews July 9 -11, 2014
July 12 – August 3, 2014

Frothy, fun and manages to remind us of those secret, frivolous, and embarrassing romantic impulses to which we are susceptible. In this rousing two act musical we take a varied look at romance seekers in two ways; from a delightful romp through the sexual ennui of the turn of the century Vienna in the first Act, to a Second Act modern look at affection and disaffection in summer house in the Hamptons.  An Off-Broadway sensation that successfully moved to Broadway, ROMANCE/ROMANCE is a sweetheart of a musical perfect for North Coast Rep’s intimate stage.

“Sparkles with charm and intelligence.” – New York Times
“Smart, bubbly and ardent.” – New York Daily News
“A double dollop of the romantic spirit.” – New York Post

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By  Eva Trieger

If you were having a bit of trepidation that you’d be comparing Neil Simon’s play or the 1970s TV series and be left wanting…..don’t be a schlemiel.  Matt Thompson delivers a performance that would make Jack Klugman kvell!!!     Louis Lotorto, as Felix Unger, has completely mastered every niggling, annoying quirk and even his sinus honking is mellifluous.  The entire cast has such synergy that they bounce off each other’s quips and jabs as comfortably as a bagel bedecked with a slather of cream cheese and a slab of Nova.

A few months ago I read the script, and only now can I admit that I was afraid that the play would be a bit dated and dog eared.  Under Andy Barnicle’s direction, every character effused life, personality and credibility.  Murray the Cop (Bernard Kopsho), who previously thrilled audiences in NCRT’s “Lend Me a Tenor”, is compassionate, cuddly and comic.  Roy (Albert Par), the meticulous accountant, provides a feisty foil to Oscar’s spendthrift persona.   Speed (John Nutten) an NCRT veteran, embodies an acerbic “guy’s guy”, while Vinnie (Cris O’Bryan) is the mild mannered family man, kowtowing to his wife’s predilections to vacation in Miami in the off-season.  Two adorable “birds” grace the stage as well, Cecily and  Gwendolyn Partridge, the British neighbor sisters for whom Oscar is lusting.

After Oscar takes pity on Felix and asks him to move in, all of the latter’s idiosyncrasies take their toll on the kindhearted Madison.  Even the boys complain that their poker game has gone awry and the neat freak has destroyed the manly atmosphere of smoke, stale potato chips, and warm beer.  A heated argument ensues and Oscar sends his roommate packing.

I have no wish to be a spoiler, so you’ll have to come see the ole gang for  yourself.  The dialogue is fresh, the banter is genuine and the fun is continuous.  The show’s sentimental moments are palpable and the actors are magnificent in their ability to joke, argue, reconcile and love.

 

Opening Night:  Saturday, April 13 8 pm

Tickets available at NCRT box office or online

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This was one of two communications  from patrons who were offended by the strong language that the characters used in “Time Stands Still.” We love hearing from our audiences and are always grateful when they share their concerns.

Jane Doe and I attended Time Stand Still last week and were very disappointed and left at the intermission. We found the language very offensive and unnecessary. It is a shame to have a small, neighborhood theater to have such a play. We did not find it “naturally funny and sensibly smart” as Mr. Kerlin wrote. It was not classy in any way. We were season ticket holders for the first time but, will not be again. Many years ago, the Village Church had a group attend a play and the play had the same foul language so I did not attend for many years. We enjoyed other plays this year, but, not Time Stand Stills. I hope your Board of Directors will fully evaluate the plays that are shown at this lovely, little theater. Sincerely, John Doe

David Ellenstein wrote a response to the other similar email that he received and I would like to share part of what he had to say.

As you know from attending North Coast Rep in the past, this is unusual for our productions, but occasionally there is a work that I feel merits production despite it’s off-color language or content.

Donald Margulies is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who’s plays I have produced many times in the past to great success. This play was nominated for six Tony awards and is being produced at major theatres across the country. It is a real coup that we are the first to produce it in San Diego. It is an important work and one of the most acclaimed plays of the past several years. I will forward you another letter I received from a patron, and you will see why I felt this was important to include in our season.

This is a story of war and people who deal with death and atrocities on a regular basis. Mr. Margulies wrote their dialogue based on how these people talk. It is soldier talk and cleaning it up would not capture the essence of who they are or what they have been through. Also, we are not allowed to alter or change dialog in the scripts that we license per our contracts with the playwrights.

I am a fan of all kinds of theatre and try to produce works from the silliest of comedies to the grittiest of dramas, but mostly fare that falls somewhere between the two. Sometimes one or the other goes over the edge for some people.

I am sorry that the language in this play was offensive to you. I truly appreciate hearing from our subscribers. It is always a balancing act for me to present the most artistic works available with the likes and dislikes of our patrons.

Your feedback helps me to make the best choices.

Warmest regards

David Ellenstein

 

It should be noted that on all promotional materials, we included “Contains Strong Language” to alert our audiences. It is never our intention to offend our patrons!

Did you find the language in “Time Stand Still” distracted you from the rest of the play or did you accept it as this is who these characters are and not really think so much about it?

 

 

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We had a real treat for one of our off-night events a couple of weeks back, when Leonard Nimoy joined us for a talk-back of his play Vincent, based on the letters of Vincent Van Gogh to his brother Theo. The play was directed by Paul Stein and performed by the delightful Jean-Michel Richaud in the role that Leonard originated a few decades(!) ago now.

It was a lovely evening and a good time was had by all.

David Ellenstein, Jean-Michel Richaud, Leonard Nimoy and Paul Stein

 

David Ellenstein, Jean-Michel Richaud and Leonard Nimoy

 

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By  Eva Trieger

Mhari Sandoval is an actress who wears her craft on her sleeve…and her neck and her arms and her chest. I met up with Mhari between the matinee and evening performances at the NorthCoast Rep café. She was in full regalia, meaning, her face and body bore the lacerations and abuses of life in a war torn country. I sincerely believed she was the character she portrayed, whom I’d seen on stage two weeks before. She didn’t just look the part; she really was the photojournalist who had experienced the horrors, but remained to capture the conflict on film.

Mhari is an intense, compact woman. You get the sense in talking with her that everything she does is deliberate, purposeful and powerful. It is quite clear that she is passionate about acting, and perhaps that is precisely why she becomes the role. “I don’t know how to do it unless I love it”, Mhari replied when I asked her about this and previous characters she has brought to life.

I was incredibly impressed and surprised when I learned of how much homework Sandoval does before a show opens. She researched and read up on photojournalists in order to become one. And if audience reactions are any indication of mastery, she has nailed it. The theater has received letters and comments from playgoers who have been reduced to tears and relived their own experiences in similar settings.

David Ellenstein discovered Sandoval when she was in “Shayna Maidel” in San Diego’s Gaslamp, back in 1991. The actress has acted and directed in New York theater festivals. Mhari admires actors who are “emotionally smart and available” and holds Triney Sandoval (husband) and fellow actor, Richard Easton, in that regard.
What comes through beautifully on stage and in an interview, is Mhari Sandoval’s desire to communicate “through the lens of a theater storyteller”. She told this reporter that she sees herself as tea leaves steeping in the water of life.

That result is a very fine and rare brew! Thank you Mhari!

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All photos courtesy of Ken Jacques 

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(Our Artistic Director, and director Time Stands Still, David Ellenstein, received the following email from a patron who was in attendance for a preview.)

Good afternoon David,

First of all I’d like to send my highest regards to you, the actors and the entire staff of last night’s play, “Time Stands Still.”  My husband and I have attended several musicals, dramas, dinner theaters and comedies over the last five years of our time living in San Diego and by far last nights performance was the best of the best.  We chose to attend this play by chance after quickly glancing at the short summary of the play on Saturday afternoon and realizing that it would offer more insight in to the lives of journalists.  But, what I wasn’t prepared for was the connection with the military conflicts overseas, the realities of war and how these civilians are impacted as much as….I was.

I served as a Captain in the U.S. Marines in Kabul, Afghanistan from Jan 2009 to Feb 2010 and could relate to the main female characters emotions of being near danger, smelling fear yet knowing that nothing was more important than trying to tell the story.  When you are there, death is already a factor taken in to account…you compartmentalize the aspects of life you can’t control and focus in like a laser on what you can…capturing the story, the photograph, the small child’s distant eyes.   As a public affairs officer and trainer for Afghan Government Ministerial communicators and Afghan photojournalists, we worked closely in the field with both military and civilian journalists, often reporting on the same incidents and trying to make sense of the chaos.  I traveled across the country to orphanages, to women’s prisons with children living in the prisons with them, to villages left in ruin.  As you can see, last night hit pretty close to home.

Let’s just say that last night’s performance was very therapeutic for me and I hope for the many other military veterans that may attend over the coming weeks.  By the time the performance was over, I wanted to stay and meet the actors but my emotions were too intense at that time.  Please pass on my sincerest regards to the cast…they are making a difference!  Thank them for bringing to light with such clarity the underbelly of combat and investigative reporting…I remember the CNN and FOX reporters only looking for combat patrols known for getting hit by IEDs or the journalists who didn’t make it b/c their fixers lead them astray or the freelancers who would show up to the military base for sanctuary after refusing to follow the media guidelines out in the field to keep them safe.  They took risks and are often our unsung heroes of democracy.

If you and the actors would have time to meet, I would be honored to share a coffee to thank them for being a part of this production.

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On February 5^th  North Coast Rep hosted an event to congratulate and honor Jonathan McMurtry for his many contributions to theatre here in San Diego. In his honor, North Coast Rep proudly announced the establishment of the Jonathan McMurtry Actors’ Fund. As a working actor himself, Jonathan wants to give back by lending his name to this important fund to ensure that all the proceeds will be earmarked to pay the salaries of professional actors at North Coast Repertory Theatre.

A special thank you to the Event Chair, Judy Wheatley!

Donate now to the Jonathan McMurtry Actors’ Fund.

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It’s been too long since we’ve had San Diego favorite Fran Gercke with us, but are so pleased to have him with us playing opposite Mahri Sandoval in Time Stands Stills opening next weekend at North Coast Rep.

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