DASHIELL HAMMETT'S NOIR CLASSIC GETS HILARIOUS NEW TREATMENT
AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE

THE MALTESE FALCON
A World Premiere Adaptation by Matthew Salazar-Thompson
Based on Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon

Performances Beginning Tuesday, March 4, 2026
NOW EXTENDED Through Sunday April 5, 2026
SHELLEY REGNER (from the film “Pitch Perfect”) now joins the cast
Directed by Todd Nielsen

Solana Beach, Calif. - The search for the legendary black bird takes a comedic twist in this world premiere adaptation at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Matthew Salazar-Thompson's ingenious new version of Dashiell Hammett's noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco's underbelly to hilarious life. With quick-change artistry and acute timing, the ensemble navigates through a labyrinth of deception and desire alongside the infamous Sam Spade, the definitive hard-boiled detective. Delivering taut, unsparing prose that crackles with tension and mirth, this thrilling, comical theatrical high-wire act proves that deadly intrigue has never been so funny. Don't miss this electrifying production—reserve your seats now before they vanish like the falcon itself.

Todd Nielsen directs Richard Baird,* Regina Fernandez,* Louis Lotorto,* Scott Paulson, Shelly Regner,* and Daniel A. Stevens.* Evelyn G. Myers* is the Production Stage Manager. Jeruel Canda is the Production Assistant. The Design Team includes Marty Burnett (Set Design), Matthew Novotny (Light Design), Elisa Benzoni+ (Costumes), Grace Wong (Associate Costume Design), Rai Feltmann (Props), Ian Scott (Sound Design/Music Composer), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs Design).

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

THE MALTESE FALCON performances begin Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 8:00 pm. NOW EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND to April 5, 2026, at 2:00 pm. The show runs Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evening at 8pm, Sunday evenings 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Added Wednesday matinee March 25 and Friday, March 6. A talkback with the director and cast is scheduled for Friday, March 13. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. For complete performance schedule and ticket information, call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org.

Join us for an evening of laughter, suspense, and theatrical wizardry that will leave you marveling at the artistry long after the final curtain.

BIOS:

MATTHEW SALAZAR-THOMPSON (Playwright) is a San Diego based playwright and has been commissioned by The San Diego Repertory Theatre (Star Crossed), North Coast Repertory Theatre (Mistletoe, Music & Mayhem!, Ted Williams: A Tip of the Cap, The Little Mermaid - TYA, The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure - TYA), The Roustabouts Theatre Company ('hoods), Compass Theatre (Switching Tracks, The 146 Point Flame), Point Loma Playhouse (The Complete History of Theatre {abridged}, A Christmas Carol: The Classic Radio Drama). His play, Who's Afraid of Me, Myself and Edward Albee? was conceived of and mentored by Edward Albee. In 2016 Mr. Thompson collaborated with La MaMa Experimental Theatre Group, with resident master playwright Mac Wellman, in the development of his comedy The Complete History of Theatre {abridged} and the revision of The 146 Point Flame. Switching Tracks was a semi-finalist for the Detroit New Works Festival in 2017 and a Top Five Finalist for the Garry Marshall New Play Festival 2018. Grants include the MiraStar Playwright Award and Direct to Arts Award from the city of Solana Beach. He has written material for Disney, Lionsgate Entertainment, Molyneaux Entertainment and Unity Entertainment. You can find his non-fiction published through Arcadia Publishing. His twenty-plus plays have been published through Dramatic Publishing and Heuer Publishing. The Maltese Falcon is next slated to take flight at The Laguna Playhouse in April 2026.

TODD NIELSEN (Director) is excited to be bringing this new and very fun homage to the North Coast Rep stage. Currently based in Southern Oregon, he previously resided in Southern California where he worked for years with such theatres as International City Theatre, The Colony Theatre, Glendale Centre Theatre, Musical Theatre West, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Moonlight Stage Productions, San Diego Musical Theatre, Norris Theatre and Welk Resort. He also served as Resident Director for the National Tour of Disney's The Lion King (Cheetah Company). Todd has garnered multiple awards for his work over a long career, having directed over 120 productions. Most recently Desperate Measures and Murder on the Links for International City Theatre in Long Beach and City of Angels for Camelot Theatre in Talent, Oregon. Other shows include The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Million Dollar Quartet, Catch Me If You Can, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, A Little Night Music, Death Takes a Holiday, Elf and Hello, Dolly. As a performer, he most recently appeared as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol for TMTO in Medford, Oregon. Other recent performing work included Little Shop of Horrors, Disaster, A Christmas Carol, and Sweeney Todd for the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland.

Cast (alphabetical order)

RICHARD BAIRD* (Sam Spade) is an award-winning actor, director and producer. Select regional credits include: The Laguna Playhouse; The Old Globe; Chicago Shakespeare Festival; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Portland Centre Stage; Arizona Theatre Company; Shakespeare Santa Cruz; San Diego Repertory Theatre; Santa Barbara Theatre Ensemble; Southwest Shakespeare Company; Backyard Renaissance; Kingsmen Shakespeare; Intrepid Theatre Company and many more. He is the founding Artistic Director of New Fortune Theatre Company in San Diego. The Maltese Falcon marks his 34th production at North Coast Repertory Theatre which include A View from the Bridge, An Iliad (also at KOTOR festival in Montenegro), Way Downriver: William Faulkner's Old Man, multiple plays by Harold Pinter, Henrik Ibsen and world premieres. For NCRT he has directed Of Mice and Men, A Walk in the Woods, Amadeus, Dancing Lessons and Tartuffe.

REGINA FERNANDEZ* (Woman) is thrilled to be making her North Coast Rep debut! Favorite credits include Wendy/Sandra in Peter Pan Goes Wrong starring Cathy Rigby, as well as Florence Colleymoore/Sandrain The Play That Goes Wrong (both at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts), Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Lucy in Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Ensemble Theatre Company), Dr. Joan Watson in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B (Arizona Theatre Company), Luciana in The Comedy of Errors (Orlando Shakespeare), Anne Deever in All My Sons, Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (Arvada Center). TV/Film "Good Girls" (NBCUniversal), "Side Hustle" (Nickelodeon). For Lavina. Follow me @MabuhayitsRegina

LOUIS LOTORTO* (Man #2) an award-winning actor, VO artist, fight choreographer, verse/text teacher, and proud member of Actors' Equity Association for 36 years, is thrilled to return to North Coast Rep! Audiences may remember his appearances as Emperor Joseph II in Amadeus; Brian in Annabella in July; Arthur Vance in The Outsider; Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Leo in Chapter Two, and Felix in The Odd Couple. Regional credits include the Royal National Theatre's, An Enemy of the People with Sir Ian McKellen at the Ahmanson Theatre; the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, playing famed Agatha Christie detective, Hercule Poirot, twice under Todd Nielsen's direction; The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre (D.C.), ACT (Seattle), Berkeley Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company (Santa Barbara), six seasons at A Noise Within, and South Coast Repertory Theatre, having just played Bob Cratchit in their 45^th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. www.louislotorto.com @shxpear37

SCOTT PAULSON (Foley Artist) has a loyal following as an on-stage sound effects artist for silent film screenings, radio drama reenactments, experimental storytelling, Nancy Drew Conventions and Tom Swift Conventions. He travelled to Paris to provide music & sounds for a Josephine Baker silent classic at the Black France Film Festival, and to New York City for a Fringe Fest radio drama premiere. Scott is an alumnus of UC San Diego and continues to work as their University Carillonneur, premiering new works and taking song requests for the clock-chimes atop Geisel Library.

SHELLEY REGNER* (Brigid O'Shaughnessy) is delighted to make her North Coast Rep debut! She is most recognized as Bella member, Ashley, in the "Pitch Perfect" franchise and was the Mezzo member of Disney DCappella’s debut album and first national tour. Shelley also serves as a Show Choir Judge at various competitions around the country. Theatre credits: Honky Tonk Angels (Laguna Playhouse), A Christmas Story, the Musical (Center Theatre Group), Beauty and the Beast in Concert (Hollywood Bowl), Company (5 Star Theatricals), Cruel Intentions Musical (Sucker Love Productions), Tick, Tick…Boom!> (After Hours Theatre Co.), Bare: A Rock Musical (Glory|Struck Prod.). TV/Film: Tyler Perry’s "Young Dylan" (Nickelodeon), "Underdeveloped" (Tubi), "Adverse" (Prime). Many thanks to David, Cast and Crew for all the help! @shelleyregner

DANIEL A. STEVENS* (Man 2) is delighted to be joining the team at North Coast Rep for the first time. He has had the privilege of working with The American Shakespeare Center, West Virginia Public Theatre, The Liberty Theatre Company, Boston Court Theatre, The Texas Shakespeare Festival, and International City Theater. Dan is a director, actor, and company member of Public Assembly, and is also the co-host and creator of "The Actors Bookshelf," available wherever you listen to podcasts. Love and gratitude must, as always, be extended to my amazing family, my parents and my incredible in-laws, and their loving support over the years. Beloved Connor, thank you for being my companion through this strange, messy, fantastic life. Thanks to my agent Rebecca and the rest of the team at Firestarter. Find Dan online at www.TheOtherDanStevens.com as well as on Instagram @The.Other.Dan.Stevens

EVELYN G. MYERS* (Production Stage Manager) (she/her) The Old Globe: The Comedy of Errors, House of India, Henry 6, Fat Ham, Globe for All's Julius Caesar, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, Henry V. La Jolla Playhouse: The Garden, POP Tour (Hoopla!), POP Tour (Pick Me Last), POP Tour x National Disability Theatre (Emily Driver's Great Race Through Time and Space). North Coast Repertory: What the Constitution Means to Me, Sense of Decency, Pippin. Grand Central Art Center: Savage in Limbo. Hollywood Fringe Festival: The First and the Last (Encore Award). Young Theatre: Bell, Book, and Candle (Kennedy Center Excellence in Stage Management Award).

DECADES-OLD VENGEFUL ACT FUELS INTENSE FAMILY DRAMA
AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
LOUISA GILLIS
A World Premiere By Joanna McClelland Glass
Performances Beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Running Through Sunday, February 8, 2026
Directed by David Ellenstein

Solana Beach, Calif. - A haunting incident from forty years ago ignites this explosive world premiere about the devasting ripple effects of revenge at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Joanna McClelland Glass’s searing new drama weaves a sophisticated psychological thriller about family bonds, betrayal, and the possibility of healing. In this masterfully crafted battle of wits and words that is laced with humor, secrets unravel and alliances shift as a brilliant but fractured family grapples with the power of forgiveness and the price of letting go. Experience this stunning new drama that proves the strongest family ties can bind us or set us free.

David Ellenstein directs Faline England*, Caroline Renee*, James Sutorius*, and Denise Young in LOUISA GILLIS. Christoher M. Williams* is the Stage Manager. Tyler Dean is the Production Assistant. The Design Team includes Marty Burnett (Set Design), Matthew Novotony (Light Design), Elisa Benzoni, + (Costumes), Audrey Casteris, (Props) Matt Fitzgerald (Sound), and Ian Scott (Music).

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

LOUISA GILLIS performances begin Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at 7:30 pm. Final performance is Sunday, Feb.8, 2026, at 2 pm. The show runs Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evening at 8pm, Sunday evenings 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Added Wednesday matinee Feb. 4, and Friday, Jan 16.  A talkback with the director and cast is scheduled for Friday, Jan 23. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Tickets: Previews - $58.50 (including Friday preview at 2pm), Weeknights - $68.50, Wed. & Sat. Matinees/Sat. Eve. - $80.50; Sun. Night - $66.50 For ticket information and to secure your seats for LOUISA GILLIS, call 858-481-1055, or visit ww.northcoastrep.org. Join us for an evening of unexpected humor, heartache and hope that will give you much to ponder and discuss long after you leave the theatre.

 

BIOS:

JOANNA MCCLELLAND GLASS (Playwright) was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Unexpectedly, she is 89 years old. Canadian Gothic and American Modern were produced at Manhattan Theatre Club in its opening year, 1972. Artichoke, Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, Ct., 1974. To Grandmother's House We Go, Longacre Theatre, Broadway, 1980, Play Memory, Biltmore Theatre, Broadway. (Play Memory, directed by Hal Prince, won a Tony nomination in 1985.) YESTERYEAR, Toronto, 1989. If We Are Women, Williamstown, MA., 1993, directed by Austin Pendleton. If We are Women, London, starring Joan Plowright, directed by Richard Olivier, 1994. Trying, Victory Gardens, Chicago, 2004, directed by Sandy Shinner.  Best Play award. Trying, Promenade Theatre, NYC, 2005 Palmer Park, Stratford Festival, Ontario 2008. Novel, “Reflections on a Mountain Summer”,  A.A.Knopf, 1976. “Woman Wanted,” St. Martin's Press, 1984 (Movie, 1998, Holly Hunter, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Moriarity). National Endowment for the Arts, Grant, 1980 Guggenheim Fellowship, 1981. Rockefeller Grant, Playwright in Residence at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1984-85.

DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Director) Born into a theatrical family; David has worked in theatres across the country. He currently serves as Artistic Director of North Coast Rep and the Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse. A veteran of over 250 theatrical productions, other theatres include: Coconut Grove Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Portland Stage. Renaissance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Laguna Playhouse, Southwest Shakespeare Company, AJTC, Meadow Brook Theatre, Portland Rep and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre. Winner of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for “2018 Director of the Year Award.”

 

Cast (alphabetical order)

FALINE ENGLAND* (Celia): Heisenberg, Arcola Theatre, London opposite Olivier Award-winning Jenny Galloway (Offies Assessors’ Choice). The Realistic Joneses, Dublin Theatre Festival with Gare St Lazare Ireland (Irish Times Theatre Award Nomination Best Ensemble). The Realistic Joneses, Rubicon Theatre Company and Laguna Playhouse (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award Nomination Lead Performance). Heisenberg, opposite Emmy Award winner Joe Spano, Rubicon Theatre Company and Laguna Playhouse. Gulf View Drive, All My Sons, The Turn of the Screw, Crimes of the Heart, Rubicon Theatre Company (multiple Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Nominations). Julius Caesar, Shakespeare Center of LA. All in the Timing, Western Stage. Other credits include: Twelfth Night, Chicago, The Rover, Playboy of the Western World, Heartbreak House, The Tempest, Purge! James Donlon & Co. Faline is also the recipient of five Santa Barbara Independent Theatre Awards. Film/television: “9-1-1,” “Station 19,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Mentalist,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Medium,” “C.S.I.,” “Without a Trace.” She teaches at Diana Castle’s The Imagined Life in Los Angeles.

CAROLINE RENEE* (Lucy) is thrilled to make her North Coast Rep debut. She most recently appeared in Witnesses: A New Musical (Ensemble) at The Rubicon Theatre. Other regional includes: A Million Aisles Away (Hope; Santa Monica Playhouse), In Her Key (Ensemble; Wilshire Ebell), Doll's House, Part Two (Emmy; Elmwood Playhouse), Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn; Elmwood), and Spring Awakening (u/s Wendla; Nimbus Arts Center). Notable TV/Film include: "I Know What You Need" (Julia Marchese, Stephen King), "Head of the Class" (Max). BA: University of Southern California, British American Drama Academy. Thank you to Brad and Cyrena at Red Letter and McKenna at DDO Kids!

JAMES SUTORIUS* (Steven) is a frequent guest artist at North Coast Rep. His productions here include The Father (Best Actor, San Diego Critics Circle), The Sunshine Boys, Trying (also by Joanna McClelland Glass), and The Cherry Orchard. Two years ago, he twice performed My Life with Will: An Evening with Will Shakespeare and James Sutorius on the North Coast stage before transferring the production to Los Angeles. At the Old Globe, James portrayed George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Best Actor Award, S.D. Critics Circle) and acted in Lincolnesque (Best Featured Actor Award, S.D. Critics Circle), The Price, and Savannah Disposition. At the La Jolla Playhouse, he was in Glengarry Glen Ross (Best Featured Actor nomination, S.D. Critics Circle) and in Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention, which continued to Broadway.  Other Broadway shows include Conversations with My Father, The Changing Room and Hamlet at Lincoln Center. Throughout his 57-year career, James has had the privilege of acting major roles in regional theaters throughout America.

DENISE YOUNG (Helga) Denise is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful production surrounded by so many talented, creative souls. Her credits include Scotland Road, A Christmas Carol at Meadow Brook Theatre, The Cherry Orchard at Sierra Repertory Theatre, Comedy of Errors at Foothill Theatre Company, Messiah at L.A. Rep, MacBeth at Nevada Shakespeare, Same Time, Next Year, Love Letters Royal Caribbean, Prelude to a Kiss at The Hudson Theatre, The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, The Streisand Festival, among others. On camera, she has appeared in some film and numerous commercials. Offstage, she is privileged to currently serve as Director of Development at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Love and thanks to David, Jamie, and Will, who are her heart. 

CHRISTOPHER M. WILLIAMS* (Stage Manager) Christopher is a union actor and stage manager, as well as a director, producer, fight choreographer, designer, and instructor. Some of his credits include playing Nathan Rothschild in the original cast of the Off-Broadway production of Rothschild & Sons, opposite Robert Cuccioli; Hamlet On Trial with comedy legend Billy Connolly (Theatre League); The Drawer Boy and A Moon for the Misbegotten (AZ Theatre Company); Noises Off (Idaho Shakespeare Festival); Angels In America: Part I & II, and Lobby Hero (Actors Theatre); Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Oliver!, West Side Story, A Funny Thing…Forum (Southwest Shakespeare Company). Over the past 20 years, he has directed, stage managed or performed in 40 productions at North Coast Rep. Christopher has also worked as a producer, casting director, and on-set acting coach for the WWII feature “Walking with the Enemy,” starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong.