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Tarell Alvin McCraney - Geffen Playhouse PDF

26 Pages·2014·17.59 MB·English
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Preview Tarell Alvin McCraney - Geffen Playhouse

gil cates theater at the geffen playhouse welcome to the geffen playhouse c h o ir b o y Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography From the artistic Director We Welcome you to the First play oF the 2014/2015 GeFFen playhouse season with the eagerly anticipated Choir Boy by Tarell McCraney. A play that examines what it means to be an outsider in a world of staunch tradition, Choir Boy observes the power a single voice can have in a cacophony of dissent. We are pleased to have Tarell and director Trip Cullman who collaborated on this play previously at Manhattan Theatre Club and the Alliance Theatre. Together they bring to life a story of boys becoming men in a community that is aching to change while holding fast to educational and spiritual traditions. With an ensemble of breathtaking actors and designers, the world of Choir Boy tips between tradition that shapes us and convention that stifles us. These ideas, dramatized so elegantly by Tarell, have inspired an overarching theme in our season — what does it mean to raise one’s voice? In each of the plays we have selected is a resonant idea of how one person has the capacity to create change, sometimes incrementally, sometimes globally. As artists, we seek to do work that ignites conversation. If we choose wisely, the work should entertain, delight and continue to spark debate long after the curtain call. We have always encouraged an ongoing conversation and this season more than ever. Whether you prefer a post-play discussion on a Tuesday night, during the trip home, or to be heard through social media, we hope you will join us this season as we raise our voices. Enjoy the show. Randall Arney Artistic Director PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE P1 letter from the co-chairs BoarD of Directors MARthA hendeRson Co-CHAIR PAMelA Robinson hollAndeR Co-CHAIR PATrICIA KIErnAn APPLEgATE rAndALL ArnEy BETh BEhrs dr. gEnE d. BLoCK hAroLd A. BroWn gIL CATEs Jr. VICe CHAIRmAn MAry Ann CLoyd dEnnIs doTy dr. BrAd EdgErTon MArK FLEIsChEr hErBErT M. gELFAnd CHAIRmAn emeRItus PATrICIA L. gLAsEr AdI grEEnBErg ArThur grEEnBErg JoAn KALousTIAn gLoryA KAuFMAn LorETTA EvErETT KAuFMAn dr. gErALd s. LEvEy CArLA MALdEn martha pamela susAn MALLory henDerson robinson hollanDer gInny MAnCInI BArry MEyEr sCoTT MInErd KEn novICE sTEvEn A. oLsEn Welcome to our First proDuction oF hoLLy rICE LorEn roThsChILd the 2014/2015 season, Choir Boy, directed by the brilliant Trip Cullman. LIndA BErnsTEIn ruBIn TErI sChWArTz We are delighted to begin 2014/2015 in our gil Cates Theater with the rIChArd shErMAn West Coast premiere of this exhilarating play, written by the award-winning FrEd sPECKTor playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Thank you for joining us as we welcome LorrAInE sPurgE dEEAnnA sTAATs these extraordinary artists to our theater. CynThIA P. sTAFFord hoWArd TEnEnBAuM This season, we look forward to learning more about you, our beloved patrons, MIChAEL WALsh loyal subscribers and extraordinary donors. how many years have you been founDing trustees coming to see performances at the geffen Playhouse? What inspired you KIrsTEn CoMBs to initially get involved in the theater? What aspect of our work are you roBErT A. dALy dAvId gEFFEn most passionate about? Tell us your story by contacting our development QuInCy JonEs department at 310.208.6500 or [email protected]. JEFFrEy KATzEnBErg FrAnK g. MAnCuso For those of you who are new to the geffen Playhouse this season, welcome CHAIRmAn emeRItus ron MEyEr to the family. We think you are in for a stellar season of plays, as well as special LEsLIE MoonvEs events. Additionally, our education and outreach programs are designed to JErry Moss JErry PErEnChIo use theater arts to ignite positive change in the most in-need communities and BruCE M. rAMEr schools in Los Angeles. To learn more about these programs and our impact FounDIng CHAIRmAn vICTorIA MAnn sIMMs on the children, youth, adults, schools and communities we serve, please Andy sPAhn contact Chief development officer regina Miller at 310.208.6500 ext. 112. sTEvEn sPIELBErg sTEvE TIsCh Thank you for joining us for today’s performance. We are delighted to dr. ChArLEs E. young CHAIRmAn emeRItus experience the 2014/2015 season with you and your family, friends and in memoriam communities. gILBErT CATEs now we invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy Choir Boy. FounDeR MArCIA IsrAEL-CurLEy AudrEy sKIrBALL KEnIs ChArLEs KEnIs KArL MALdEn Martha henderson Pamela Robinson hollander EdIE WAssErMAn Co-Chair, geffen Playhouse Co-Chair, geffen Playhouse LEW WAssErMAn PETEr rosEn LegAL CounseL, LAtHAm & wAtkIns LLP P2 PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE “Funny and thought-provoking!” — Los Angeles Times Written by scott carter Directed by matt august Featuring Larry cedar, david meLviLLe & armin shimerman october 7 – november 16 A Founding Father, a Victorian novelist and a Russian revolutionary walk into a … stop me if you’ve heard this one. Thomas Jefferson (yes that one), Charles Dickens (the very same) and Count Leo Tolstoy (who else?) are brought together in a blistering battle of wits for the ages. From Scott Carter (Executive Producer of Real Time with Bill Maher), this whip-smart comedy examines what happens when great men of history are forced to repeat it. audrey skirball kenis theater at the geffen playhouse like us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on instagram geffenplayhouse.com | 310.208.5454 Genius Five Fallacies about the macarthur in the arts “Genius Grants” you have to Be a genius to win it The John d. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation does not use choir boy marks the seconD the name “genius grant.” The news media coined that nickname with the West coast premiere oF inaugural class of Fellows in 1981 and it stuck. a macarthur FelloW’s Work the selection process at the GeFFen playhouse is shrouDeD in secrecy Information on the selection process can be readily located on the foundation’s website: macfound.org. The following excerpts, (used with permission from the John d. and the winners are usually Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) provide more information on acaDemics anD artists the MacArthur Fellows Program, also known as the “genius grant.” Fellows come from every field of 2013 recipient Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy is the second West human endeavor from theoretical Coast premiere of a MacArthur Fellow after the 2010 production of physics to urban farming. Lynn nottage’s Ruined. creativity The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships “just happens” to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and one of the biggest misunderstandings dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self- is that creativity is a flash of brilliance direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional that does not require support — that people are either creative or they are creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track not. In fact, virtually all Fellows have record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship invested years honing their expertise, to facilitate subsequent creative work. and many have overcome obstacles to projects that have later defined The MacArthur Fellows Program is intended to encourage people new frontiers. of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations. In keeping with this purpose, the foundation it’s all Downhill after winning the fellowship awards fellowships directly to individuals rather than through The MacArthur Foundation notes: institutions. recipients may be writers, scientists, artists, social “We do not track the hundreds of scientists, humanists, teachers, entrepreneurs, or those in other fields, books published, patents granted with or without institutional affiliations. They may use their fellowship and awards received by our Fellows. to advance their expertise, engage in bold new work, or, if they wish, to It is not even clear that these are the right metrics to capture the change fields or alter the direction of their careers. program’s success or theirs. The Although nominees are reviewed for their achievements, the Fellowship is speculative, based fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an on the potential for creativity, and creativity involves taking risks. If investment in a person’s originality, insight, and potential. Indeed, the every Fellow hit only home runs, we purpose of the MacArthur Fellows Program is to enable recipients to would worry that they were not taking exercise their own creative instincts for the benefit of human society. enough risks or that we’d chosen the wrong people. Also, the success of the The foundation does not require or expect specific products or program cannot be measured solely by reports from MacArthur Fellows, and does not evaluate recipients’ individual outcomes.” creativity during the term of the fellowship. The MacArthur Fellowship is a “no strings attached” cash award in support of people, not projects. visit macfound.org/fellows for more information on the program. P4 PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE tarell alvin mccraney 2013 macarthur FelloW Tarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright exploring the rich diversity of the African American experience in works that imbue the lives of ordinary people with epic significance. Complementing his poetic, intimate language with a musical sensibility and rhythmic, often ritualistic movement, McCraney transforms intentionally minimalist stages into worlds marked by metaphor and imagery. his most well-known works, a triptych collectively titled the Brother/sister Plays (2009), weave West African yoruban cosmology into modern-day stories of familial self-sacrifice, unrequited love, and coming of age. The audience becomes an essential part of the story as the characters speak their stage directions and inner feelings directly to the viewers. In Head of Passes (2013) and Choir Boy (2012), McCraney draws on themes that run throughout the Book of Job and traditional spirituals, respectively, to explore the role of faith and tradition in two very different close-knit worlds. Head of Passes, set in the isolated marshlands of the Mississippi river delta, dramatizes a matriarch’s struggle to maintain her faith as her world literally falls apart around her. In Choir Boy, students at an elite boarding school remain united in their dedication to performing traditional spirituals even as they navigate the fraught nature of adolescent self-expression. tarell alvin mccraney — MacArthur Foundation lynn nottaGe 2007 macarthur FelloW Lynn nottage is an original voice in American theater, a playwright whose entertaining and thought-provoking works address contemporary issues with empathy and humor. her ambitious expressive early works … reveal nottage’s rich poetic imagination as she portrays periods of American history from unexpected vantage Arthur Foundation phhaiosvitneot rsgi aaanrnnsde. hrceredarf ltmist toclreoe mn ropetlciecexen cta hwmaoorarnkcgst eo…rt haoerfe ra wc korinintdsei rdtshe aarnet dd Mac Photos courtesy tmoa bjoer haertri smtiocs at cahciceovmempleisnhtes.d thus fa—r ManacdA rrtehpurr eFosuenndta tion lynn nottaGe PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE P5 the geffen playhouse proDuction oF Written by tarell Alvin McCraney scenic designer Costume designer Lighting designer sound designer david Zinn e.b. brooks Peter Kaczorowski Fitz Patton Musical director & vocal Arranger Jason Michael Webb Production stage Manager Assistant stage Manager Jill Gold Kyra hansen original Casting for MTC by Casting director nancy Piccione, CsA Phyllis schuringa, CsA & Kelly Gillespie directed by trip Cullman Choir Boy received a world premiere co-production by the English stage Company and Manhattan Theatre Club (Artistic director Lynne Meadow, Executive Producer Barry grove) at royal Court Theatre in the Jerwood Theatre upstairs on september 4, 2012. Choir Boy was originally commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic director, Barry grove, Artistic director, daniel sullivan, Acting Artistic director, 2007/2008 season with support from Time Warner Inc. opening night: Friday, september 26, 2014 openinG niGht sponsors P6 PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE CAst oF ChARACteRs c h (In order of appearance) o ir b headmaster Marrow ............................................................................................ Michael A. shepperd o y Pharus Jonathan young ...................................................................................................... Jeremy Pope Bobby Marrow ............................................................................................................... donovan Mitchell Junior davis ...................................................................................................................... nicholas l. Ashe Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James .................................................................................... Grantham Coleman david heard ...................................................................................................................... Caleb eberhardt Mr. Pendleton ........................................................................................................ leonard Kelly-Young undeRstudies (In alphabetical order) headmaster Marrow .......................................................................................................... Reggie burrell Pharus Jonathan young/Junior davis ........................................................................ Jaime Cepero david heard/Bobby Marrow/Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James ...................................... Austin scott Mr. Pendleton ............................................................................................................................ david Willis RunninG tiMe Approximately 95 minutes there will be no intermission. The geffen Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the following media sponsors for their generous support of Choir Boy. The geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This project was also funded in part by the department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. The geffen Playhouse, a non-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the university of California at Los Angeles. PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE P7 proDuction Biographies Present... (dir: Eric Ting); new york shakespeare Festival’s As You Like It (dir: daniel sullivan). regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Romeo and Juliet (dir: Tony speciale). Television: the Americans (FX). Training: Juilliard school of drama. niCholAs l. Ashe leonARd KellY-YounG donovAn MitChell (Junior davis) (Mr. Pendleton) (Bobby Marrow) nicholas is honored to Last geffen Playhouse donovan is grateful to be reprising the role of appearance in Alan Alda’s be making his geffen Junior as he makes his Radiance. Theater: new Playhouse debut with this geffen Playhouse debut. york off-Broadway at production of Choir Boy. nicholas originated ELT, new york Theater As a graduate of Carnegie the role in the critically Co., riverwest, soho Mellon school of drama, acclaimed production at repertory, Titus in darko his recent theater credits the Manhattan Theatre Tresjnak’s titus Andronicus include: duke of Burgundy Club and joined the at the old globe, The in king Lear, Arviragus CAleb ebeRhARdt cast for a production at Mark Taper Forum, in Cymbeline (oregon (david heard) the Alliance Theatre in Laguna Playhouse, La shakespeare Festival) and This is Caleb’s geffen Atlanta. his professional Mirada Theater, Ensemble Cobb in A soldier’s story Playhouse debut. A proud credits include: national Theater, rubicon, Missouri (Ebony repertory Theatre). graduate of the suny Tour of the Lion king repertory, goodman originally from virginia Purchase B.F.A. Acting (young simba). Television: Theatre (Jefferson Beach, vA, he would like to Conservatory, Caleb songbyrd (E! Pilot), the nomination), Cincinnati thank god, his family, and was last seen onstage in Divide (AMC Pilot), Are Playhouse, studio Arena friends for their patience, the Alliance Theatre’s we there Yet? (TBs). Buffalo, geva Theatre, laughs, and loving support. production of Choir he has also appeared in huntington Theater, Boy. he has since made numerous commercials and Worcester Company and his television debut on voiceovers. nicholas would many shakespeare festivals CBs’s unforgettable, and like to thank his teams across the country. Leonard released a third album with at Innovative Artists and received the santa Barbara his band Quincy vidal. he MKs&d. he sends his love Independent Theatre Award is incredibly humbled to to his family and friends for Performance twice, once again be a part of this back in new york! once as dodge in Buried amazing production. he Child and as doc Lyman in sends love and thanks to Bus stop. In Los Angeles: his mother and family (JME, Detective story (ovation JeReMY PoPe Wr), his agents at Carson/ nomination) at the Marilyn (Pharus Jonathan young) Kolker org., and of course Monroe Theatre. Films Jeremy Pope is a 2014 his artist family in nyC. include david Fincher’s drama League Award Purchase mafia!! Love and gone girl premiering this nominee for his new york good dreams. Previous fall, and many award winning debut as Pharus in Choir Boy credits: guy in Blues for indie film releases, including where the new York times an Alabama sky, Chaplain an adaptation of ray heralded his work as “moving in mother Courage and GRAnthAM ColeMAn Bradbury’s kaleidoscope and magnetic.” he is the Her Children (adapted by (Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James) featured at Comic-Con founder of Pope Collection ntozake shange) (Purchase Theater: off-Broadway: Independent Film Festival Photography. Proud graduate rep.); Laertes in Hamlet rattlestick Playwrights in July. Television: CsI, of the The American Musical (Theatre of War). Theater’s one night (dir: the shield, scandal, and dramatic Academy. he Clinton Turner davis); Justified, Boston Legal, thanks his family for all of Manhattan Theatre the Defenders, Carnival, their love and support and Club’s Choir Boy (dir: House of Lies, ellen, married is grateful to be sharing this Trip Cullman); soho rep with Children, star trek story again. Theatre’s we Are Proud to enterprise and many others. www.jeremy-pope.com P8 PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE

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Oct 2, 2014 on this play previously at Manhattan Theatre Club and the Alliance premiere of this exhilarating play, written by the award-winning .. horizons), Weitz's Roulette Carolyn dirks/Brett dougherty gloria & Morton Field.
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