Press Release: Eleanor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eleanor

Written by Mark St. Germain
Directed by David Ellenstein

From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.

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NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE SHINES SPOTLIGHT
ON FIRST LADY ELEANOR IN CAPTIVATING WEST COAST PREMIERE
By Mark St. Germain
Performances Beginning Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Directed by David Ellenstein

Solana Beach, Calif. – While sitting on a park bench in Washington, D. C., contemplating the death of her husband, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt candidly reveals the many facets of her storied life in a riveting West Coast premiere at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Award-winning actor Kandis Chappell deftly illuminates the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency. Exploring both the public and private persona of this remarkable woman, Mark St. Germain (Dancing Lessons, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Freud’s Last Session) captures the essence of the woman who left an indelible mark on American history. For those who love honest, pull-no-punches drama, this is one you cannot miss. A West Coast premiere.

David Ellenstein directs Kandis Chappell* in ELEANOR. Christopher M. Williams is the Assistant Director. The design team includes Marty Burnett (Resident Scenic Designer), Matthew Novotny (Lighting), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Aaron Rumley (Sound & Projection Design), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs). Cindy Rumley* is the Stage Manager.

*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

ELEANOR previews begin Wednesday, June 7. Opening Night on Saturday, June 10, at 8pm.  It will play Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm with Sundays at 7pm through July 2. There will be a talkback with the artistic director and cast on Friday, June 16. A performance has just been added on Wednesday, June 28, at 2 pm, (See Schedule below). North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Tickets: Previews – $54 (including Friday preview at 2pm), Week Nights/Wed. & Sat. Matinees – $60; Sat. Eve. & Sun. Mat. $65; Sun Night – $57. Seniors, Students, Military & Educators – $3 off admission. Call 858-481-1055, visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

BIOS:

MARK ST. GERMAIN (Playwright) has written the plays Freud’s Last Session (Off Broadway Alliance Award), Camping with Henry and Tom (Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award), Forgiving Typhoid Mary, (Time Magazine’s “Year’s Ten Best”), and Becoming Dr. Ruth, the story of Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Other plays include Eleanor, Best of Enemies, Relativity, and Out of Gas on Lover’s Leap. His latest play, premiering in the summer of 2023 at the Barrington Stage Company, is The Happiest Man On Earth, The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor. Mark co-wrote the screenplay for Carroll Ballard’s Warner Brothers film, “Duma.” He directed and co-produced the documentary, “My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story,” featuring Richard Gere, Glenn Close, and Billy Collins among others. His film adaptation of “Freud’s Last Session” will be released by Sony Entertainment in early 2024. He has written the award-winning children’s book, “Three Cups,” “Walking Evil,” a humorous memoir, and “The Mirror Man,” a thriller. Mark is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Writer’s Guild East, and an Associate Artist at the Barrington Stage Company. The Barrington Stage Company named their second stage, “The St. Germain Stage.”

DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Director) Born into a theatrical family, David is an actor, director, producer, and playwright. Before joining North Coast Rep in 2003 as Artistic Director, he served in that position for the Los Angeles Repertory Company and the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (AJTC). He is a veteran of over 300 theatrical productions at theatres from San Diego to Maine, and from Alaska to Miami and most places in between. David has won numerous theatre awards, including the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for “2018 Director of the Year.” David has also appeared in dozens of film and television roles, as well as having been guest faculty for numerous universities including California State University Northridge, Cal Arts, and Shakespeare workshops privately. He is the Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse as well as continuing to be the Artistic Director of North Coast Rep.

KANDIS CHAPPELL* (Eleanor Roosevelt) is delighted to return to North Coast Rep, where she was previously seen in Collected Stories, King O’ The Moon, The Lion in Winter, and The Illusion. Kandis is an Associate Artist of the Old Globe where she has appeared in more than 30 productions including The Merchant of Venice, Private Lives, The Winter’s Tale, and Pygmalion. She has worked extensively at South Coast Rep in Costa Mesa in such productions as The Crucible, Woman in Mind, Shadowlands, and A Streetcar Named Desire, and has also appeared on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, and at theaters across the US.

CINDY RUMLEY* (Stage Manager) recent credits as a Stage Manager at North Coast Rep include: Blues in the Night, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Desperate Measures, Dancing Lessons, Another Roll of the Dice, All in the Timing, Holmes & Watson, A Funny Thing… Cindy holds an M.F.A in stage management from UC Irvine.

CHRISTOPHER M. WILLIAMS* (Assistant Director)  is an actor, director, producer, fight director, stage manager, and former Associate Artistic Director of North Coast Rep. Selected theatre credits: Over 30 mainstage shows at NCRT including Don’t Dress For Dinner, The Illusion, Gabriel, Dancing Lessons, and Desperate Measures; Rothschild & Sons (Original Off-Broadway cast); The Drawer Boy, A Moon For the Misbegotten (AZ Theatre Company); Angels In America I & II, Lobby Hero (Actors Theatre); Noises Off! (Idaho Shakespeare and Phoenix Theatre); Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Henry V (Southwest Shakespeare); Julius Caesar (New Village Arts); I Hate Hamlet (Intrepid Theatre); Biloxi Blues, Light Falling Down, The Elephant Man (Oceanside Theatre). He was the founding Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company and a producer of the WWII feature film, “Walking With the Enemy,” starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong.

Press Release: Murder on the Links

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Murder on the Links

Written by Steven Dietz
Directed by Steven Dietz

From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.

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WHODUNIT? HERCULE POIROT OUTWITS EVILDOERS
TO SOLVE MURDER ON THE LINKS
A NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE
By Steven Dietz, From the Novel by Agatha Christie
Performances Beginning Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Running Through Sunday, May 21, 2023
Directed by Steven Dietz

Solana Beach, Calif. – Something’s afoul on the private golf course at Merlinville-Sur-Mer – namely the body of Hercule Poirot’s newest client. Acclaimed playwright Steven Dietz brings the famed Belgian detective to life to solve one of Agatha Christie’s most intricate whodunits. Of course, there are the host of usual – and – unusual suspects. A cast of six versatile actors embody myriad characters as they navigate the twists and turns of this lively and fun new adaptation. You won’t want to miss a thrilling moment of this world premiere comic mystery. If you miss the show at North Coast Rep, you’ll have an opportunity to see this production at Laguna Playhouse (May 31 – June 18).

Steven Dietz directs Kim Morgan Dean,* Jennifer Erdmann,* Brian Mackey,* Jessica Mosher,* Omri Schein,* and Matthew Salazar-Thompson* in MURDER ON THE LINKS. The design team includes Marty Burnett (Resident Scenic Designer), Matthew Novotny (Lighting), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Robertson Witmer (Composer/Sound Design), Rachel Hengst (Props), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs). Vernon Willet* is the Stage Manager.

*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

MURDER ON THE LINKS previews begin Wednesday, April 19. Opening Night on Saturday, April 22, at 8pm. It will play Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm, with Sundays at 7pm through May 21. There will be a talkback with the artistic director and cast on Friday, April 28. A performance has just been added on Wednesday, May 10, at 2 pm (See Schedule below). North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Tickets: Previews – $54 (including Friday preview at 2pm), Week Nights/Wed. & Sat. Matinees – $60; Sat. Eve. & Sun. Mat. $65; Sun Night – $57. Seniors, Students, Military & Educators – $3 off admission. Call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

BIOS:

STEVEN DIETZ (Director/ Playwright) Plays at North Coast Rep: Bloomsday, This Random World, Becky’s New Car, Dracula. Recent premieres: How a Boy Falls (Northlight Theatre, Chicago); Dracula: Mina’s Quest (ACT Theatre, Seattle); The Ghost of Splinter Cove and, The Great Beyond (Children’s Theatre of Charlotte/Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte). Upcoming premiere: Gaslight (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company/Merrimack Repertory Theatre). Upcoming film: “What Happens Later” (starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny). Other widely produced plays: On Clover Road, Last of the Boys, Rancho Mirage, Shooting Star, Yankee Tavern, Inventing van Gogh, Private Eyes, Rocket Man, God’s Country, and The Nina Variations. Awards: American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg New Play Citation for Bloomsday; Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award for Fiction and Still Life with Iris; PEN USA Award in Drama for Lonely Planet; Edgar Award® from the Mystery Writers of America for Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. Other: 30+ plays and adaptations at over one hundred regional theatres; international productions in over twenty-five countries; in 2019, once again named one of the 20 Most-Produced Playwrights in America by American Theatre Magazine.

Cast (in alphabetical order):

KIM MORGAN DEAN* (Captain Hastings) is joyous to be joining North Coast Rep for this world premiere! Kim has performed in over 20 shows at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, where she has been a member of the Resident Acting Company since 2018. Prior to Barter, Kim was a company member at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, where she also served as associate artistic director. Other credits: Janet in Yankee Tavern (Florida Stage); Lisa in Collected Stories (Mosaic Theatre); Colleen in Ripcord; Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo (Florida Rep). She is the recipient of the 2008 and 2009 Carbonell Best Supporting Actress Award for her performances as Wren in Body of Water (Mosaic Theatre) and Mairead in Gable Stage’s production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore, respectively. Gratitude to the North Coast Rep crew for having me aboard, to TM for love & support, and to YOU for supporting live theatre! www.kimmorgandean.com

JENNIFER ERDMANN* (Woman One) is delighted be making her first appearance at North Coast Rep. A San Francisco Bay Area-based actor, her credits include Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Boeing-Boeing, The 39 Steps, Rumors, Our Town, and Noises Off (Center Repertory Company); the world premiere of Bill Cain’s 9 Circles (Marin Theatre Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Marin Shakespeare Company); The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet (San Francisco Shakespeare Festival); Vincent in Brixton (TheatreWorks); Restoration Comedy (Stanford Summer Theater); Major Barbara (San Jose Rep). Other regional credits include Pride and Prejudice (Arizona Theatre Company/Alliance Theatre); Nunsense Jamboree (Meadow Brook Theatre, MI); The Miracle Worker (Sierra Rep); and both Antiphola twins in The Comedy of Errors (Santa Cruz Shakespeare). Jennifer holds a B.A. from Cornell University and also works frequently in independent film, commercials, and voiceover. Love to D, M, and L.

BRIAN MACKEY* (Man Two) is thrilled to be back at North Coast Rep, where he has performed in Ben Butler, Little Women, and A Christmas Carol, and serves as the Associate Artistic Director. Brian has appeared on stages across San Diego including Lamb’s Players Theatre, San Diego Repertory, Cygnet Theatre, Backyard Renaissance, Diversionary Theatre, New Village Arts, Roustabouts Theatre, Intrepid Theatre, and Ion theatre. Favorite credits include The Explorer’s Club, Noises Off, All My Sons, Silent Sky, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play, The Woolgatherer, Jack Goes Boating, The Humans, Abundance, and The Glass Menagerie.

JESSICA MOSHER* (Woman Two) is a Canadian actress based in New York City. North Coast Rep debut! Regional: The 39 Steps (Riverside Theatre); Hand to God (Florida Studio Theatre); Fun Home (New York Regional Premiere, White Plains Performing Arts Center); Crimes of the Heart (Bristol Valley Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Savannah Repertory Theatre). TV/Film: “Mr. Robot; For Hire” (SOHO International Film Festival). Thanks to everyone at North Coast Rep and Laguna Playhouse and the talented cast and crew of Murder on the Links! Special thanks to Dad, Heather, Keith, and her wonderful friends. www.jessicamosher.com @notjessmosher

OMRI SCHEIN* (Hercule Poirot) As a writer: The Remarkable Mister Holmes at North Coast Rep, Making Melrose at Slippery Rock University, The Princess Probllama and Fintastic Finn at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Mambo Italiano at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Withering Heights with The Roustabouts Theatre Co, Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (2013 NYMF Award Best Lyrics) and an upcoming musical adaptation of the young adult novel “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.” As a performer: Baskerville, Babette’s Feast, All In The Timing, A Funny Thing…Forum, Persuasion, Noises Off, The Explorer’s Club, Beau Jest, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Underpants, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Five Course Love, When Pigs Fly, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Dear World, The People vs. Mona (Off-Broadway/Cast Recording), Hell’s Belles, Henry V, Grease (tour), and When You’re in Love, The Whole World Is Jewish directed by Jason Alexander. Omri recently directed Anything Goes at San Diego Musical Theatre and The Diary of Anne Frank at Southwestern College. Member of AEA. www.omri-schein.com.

MATTHEW SALAZAR-THOMPSON* (Man One) Select acting credits: The Car Plays, The Grift (La Jolla Playhouse); Spring Awakening (Cygnet Theatre); Yoga Play, Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Moxie Theatre); Now or Later (Diversionary Theatre); Moonlight and Magnolias (Sierra Rep); Marjorie Prime (Pacific Repertory Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Intrepid Theatre); Henry V (New Fortune Theatre); Beachtown (San Diego Rep [understudy]); Moon Over Buffalo, The Father, The Spitfire Grill, The Odd Couple, THIS, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Over the Tavern, Dracula, Leading Ladies, A Thousand Clowns, Julius Caesar, The Comedy of Errors (North Coast Rep); Terra Nova (Compass Theatre); Cold Comfort Farm, West Side Story (Lamb’s Players). TV credits: “C.S.I,” “Veronica Mars,” “Fashion House,” “Cover Me,” “Dharma and Greg,” “Watch Over Me,” “18 Wheels of Justice,” “Frasier,” “The Invisible Man,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “Baywatch.” Proud member: SAG/AFTRA & AEA.

VERNON WILLET* (Production Stage Manager) is extremely grateful to be returning to live theatre, working for the first time at North Coast Rep in this production of Murder on the Links. Vernon has had the privilege of working with the Laguna Playhouse, McCoy/Rigby Entertainment, Musical Theatre West, 3D Theatricals, the Rubicon Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Theatre Aspen, Maltz Jupiter Theatre and a myriad of others. He shares his life with director/choreographer/champion ballroom dancer Cate Caplin. Proud Actors’ Equity Association member since 1983.

Press Release: The Cherry Orchard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Cherry Orchard

Written by Anton Chekov
Directed by David Ellenstein

From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.

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THE CHERRY ORCHARD AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
CAPTURES DELIGHT AND WISTFULNESS
OF TIMELESS COMIC MASTERPIECE
By Anton Chekhov, in a version by Jean-Claude van Itallie
Performances Beginning Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Running Through Sunday, April 2, 2023
Directed by David Ellenstein

Solana Beach, CA – Anton Chekhov’s beloved masterwork is a rich tapestry of the human condition woven into a humorous and haunting tale. With universal themes of societal upheaval, love, loss, grief, envy, and ambition, THE CHERRY ORCHARD remains as relevant and powerful today as it was when it first premiered in 1903. Serious theatre-lovers will not want to miss this classic tale of heightened human drama.

David Ellenstein directs Richard Baird,* Ted Barton,* Michael Louis Cusimano,* Amanda Evans,* Jackson Goldberg,* Sofia Jean Gomez,* Katie MacNichol,* Riley Osburn, Michael Raver,* James Thomas Snyder, James Sutorius,* Katie Tang,* John Tessmer, and Bruce Turk.* Christopher M. Williams* is the Stage Manager; Matt Fitzgerald is the Assistant Stage Manager. The design team includes Marty Burnett (Set Design), Matthew Novotny (Lighting Design), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Rachel Hengst (Props Design), and Evan Eason (Sound Design).

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Press Release: Blues in the Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blues in the Night

Conceived & Originally Directed by Sheldon Epps
Directed by Yvette Freeman Hartley

From: Nancy Richards
nancy@northcoastrep.org
Office: 858-481-1055 ext.

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BLUES IN THE NIGHT LENDS DYNAMIC START TO THE NEW YEAR
AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
Conceived and Originally Directed by Sheldon Epps
Original Vocal Arrangements & Musical Direction by Chapman Roberts
Orchestrations & Additional Vocal Arrangements by Sy Johnson
Performances Beginning Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Now Extended Through Sunday, February 12, 2023
Directed by Yvette Freeman Hartley

Solana Beach, CA – According to the legendary Billie Holliday, “Blues is to jazz what yeast is to bread.” With 26 glorious, hot, torchy songs fueling BLUES IN THE NIGHT, a powerful cast of singers plumb the innermost reaches of their hearts, sharing the heartbreak and humor of life and the indomitable will to do more than survive. Among the offerings are such favorites as “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” and “Wasted Life Blues.” This rich musical experience promises to thrill and delight both novice and die-hard jazz fans alike, so reserve your seats now.

Yvette Freeman Hartley directs Karole Foreman,* Anise Ritchie,* Elijah Rock,* and Ciarra Stroud in BLUES IN THE NIGHT. Lanny Hartley is the Musical Director; Roxane Carrasco, Choreographer. Musicians include Kevin Toney, Roy Jenkins, Danny King, Malcolm Jones, and Thomas Alforque. The revue was conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps; original vocal arrangements and musical direction by Chapman Roberts, and orchestrations and additional vocal arrangements by Sy Johnson. Design team includes Marty Burnett (Set Design), Matthew Novotny (Lighting), Regan A. McKay (Costume Design), Matt FitzGerald (Sound), Chris Williams (Prop Design) and Stage Manager Cindy Rumley.

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