You, Nero Opens on SCR’s Julianne Argyros Stage, Underwritten by SCR Trustee Elaine J. Weinberg
COSTA MESA, CA, January 9, 2009 – South Coast Repertory kicked off the new year on the Julianne Argyros Stage tonight with You, Nero, an SCR-commissioned world premiere by Amy Freed, underwritten by Trustee Elaine J. Weinberg.
According to Producing Artistic Director David Emmes, “Our relationship with Amy began more than a decade ago when we awarded her an SCR commission. The result was Freedomland, which had its world premiere here in 1997 and went on to be a Pulitizer Prize finalist. We are tremendously excited with each Amy Freed world premiere, and You, Nero is certainly no exception.”
Artistic Director Martin Benson joined Emmes for the welcoming curtain speeches. “It’s also great to have Elaine Weinberg back as our Honorary Producer,” Benson said. “As everyone here knows, Elaine is one of SCR’s most enthusiastic supporters. She and her late husband Martin underwrote eight shows, and last season Elaine added a ninth as Honorary Producer of The Importance of Being Earnest—and she’s in her third season of supporting our NewSCRipts series.”
Benson asked Weinberg to stand and be acknowledged, adding, “Tonight, Elaine is seated in the Weinberg box, named with a gift to SCR’s Next Stage campaign from her and Marty—just one more of their major contributions in support of our theatre.”
The artistic directors also thanked Media Partner 944 Magazine and invited everyone to stroll over to The Westin South Coast Plaza after the show for a cast party at Pinot Provence, co-host of the event.
The restaurant was closed to all but SCR guests and included Italian-French cuisine and specialty cocktails, as well as a living Roman statue, whose secret moves fooled all but the most observant guests. Among those guests were Weinberg’s five children and their spouses, along with five grandchildren.
Others First Nights guests included: Bette and Wylie Aitken and Wendy and Rick Aversano; Judy and Joe Rosner and Lonnie and Michael Martin; Betty and S.L. Huang, Jane and Jim Driscoll and Connie and Peter Spenuzza; Sue and John Murphy and Bill and Nancy Thompson; Beth and Tom Phelps and Kelly and Jim Mazzo; Linda and Tod White and Connie and Bob Sanchez; Virginia and Bob Naeve; Lois and Dianne Berlin; Lindsay and Michael Davis; and Donna and Rich Cohn.
